For as long as she can remember, Marie Paperhater’s entire wardrobe has consisted of nothing but cloth patient gowns. Why you ask…in a few words, comfort and commitment.

While Marie’s early years may have shed some light on what would become her life’s work (she did not work well with paper mache, nor did she ever have a paper route) the origin of the Patients Against Paper movement can be traced back to Marie’s first doctor’s appointment. Marie recalls, “I remember the nurse handing me a folded piece of paper that looked like place mat and felt like a coffee filter. When she instructed me to put it on, I knew something had to be done.”

From that point on Marie Paperhater has devoted her life to the Patients Against Paper movement. The fact that she only wears cloth patient gowns is a symbol of her commitment to the movement she founded many years ago. Early on Marie’s efforts were focused on organizing rallies and protests against what she calls the “paper gown pushers”. Through the years, the organization has matured into a formidable force…it even publishes its own magazine. 

Today, the Patients Against Paper movement enjoys increased support through a constant influx of new members. The momentum behind the movement is as strong as ever as more and more healthcare professionals decide to put their patients comfort first. Many healthcare providers believe the patients respond better to treatment when they are comfortable. Others now see the value of offering cloth gowns as a way to bolster their practice’s image. Whatever the reason, Marie is thrilled with how well Patients Against Paper is progressing.

However, Marie is quick to remind us, the movement was not always as robust as it is today. Marie explains, “Early on, healthcare professionals were unaware of the fact that cloth gowns were a viable option. Once we were able to spread the word about the benefits of cloth gowns, and show how cloth gowns can provide cost savings, the Patients Against Paper movement started to take on a life of its own.”

Most days Marie be can found working with and recruiting new members, all while handling the publishing duties for Patients Against Paper Magazine. When asked if her wide range of responsibilities keeps her from attending an anti-paper protest, Marie coyly responded, “I get to enough of them”. For a sample of Marie’s Patients Against Paper protest history, visit the protest scrapbook.