Lisa Cassaro
BCPA, CSA
COPE AND HOPE ADVOCATES, LLC
Lisa Cassaro
BCPA, CSA
COPE AND HOPE ADVOCATES, LLC
Advocate Location
BELLA VISTA , AR 72715
Specialty
Medical Guidance
Other Services
Special Care & Aging
TeleAdvocacy Available
Offers FREE Initial Consultation
*Greater National Advocates Terms of Use Apply
How I Can Help
I specialize in advance care planning for individuals or groups, and end of life care and choices. I also engage in review of medical care plans and locating second opinions, and navigating a healthcare journey from hospitalization to continuing care choices for adults, especially for elder singles or solo agers.
Important Information About Me
- I offer a FREE Initial Consultation
- I offer TeleAdvocacy Service
- My geographical area of practice is AR, CA, & select areas Nationwide
Why I Became A Professional Health Care Advocate
The following is a snapshot of my Patient Advocacy story, which I share with you, so that you know that if you’re a patient, a caregiver or someone that finds themselves bereaved, I have limped, walked and run in your shoes. I have a sense of your frustration with the healthcare system; feeling bewildered and disenchanted with how to find information and resources that are applicable to my situation and experiencing the pain of losing someone that I’ve loved deeply.
In November 2019, I obtained my national credential as a Board Certified Patient Advocate, but really began advocacy some 30 years ago, when my six month old infant son was diagnosed with a terminal illness (before the internet!) at Children’s Hospital in Orange County, California.
Not too many years after that, I had ambitions to become a nurse and became a CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant). After that, I enrolled in pre-Nursing courses at the local community college, while on the waiting list to be accepted to the RN program. Life took another turn and I decided to pursue other ventures at the time, but I’ve always maintained my passions for life-long learning and helping people.
Fast forward to 2005 when my 47-year-old husband was diagnosed with a rare form of Stage 4 kidney cancer, I again engaged in advocacy, this time for him, which took us to 3 hospitals over several hundred miles in the state. Sadly, he lost his 18-month battle, leaving me a widow at age 47. Grieving the loss of my husband was made more difficult when issues with extended family and displaced grief caused our blended family to fracture apart.
In 2008 I enrolled in the Cleveland State University Patient Advocate Certificate program.
I completed the coursework in 2010, after undergoing two serious medical situations myself, and co-managing my Mom’s long distance care for chronic illness, and subsequent death in 2009. This was followed by a similar situation for my Dad in 2011.
In the Fall of 2023, I became a widow for a second time of my spouse of 10 years, a mixed race, Army Combat Medic Veteran, amputee whose medical journey I supported through the VA in California, as well as Arkansas.
My journey has included both professional and paraprofessional healthcare advocacy, over the last 19 years.
In November 2019, I obtained my national credential as a Board Certified Patient Advocate, but really began advocacy some 30 years ago, when my six month old infant son was diagnosed with a terminal illness (before the internet!) at Children’s Hospital in Orange County, California.
Not too many years after that, I had ambitions to become a nurse and became a CNA (Certified Nurse Assistant). After that, I enrolled in pre-Nursing courses at the local community college, while on the waiting list to be accepted to the RN program. Life took another turn and I decided to pursue other ventures at the time, but I’ve always maintained my passions for life-long learning and helping people.
Fast forward to 2005 when my 47-year-old husband was diagnosed with a rare form of Stage 4 kidney cancer, I again engaged in advocacy, this time for him, which took us to 3 hospitals over several hundred miles in the state. Sadly, he lost his 18-month battle, leaving me a widow at age 47. Grieving the loss of my husband was made more difficult when issues with extended family and displaced grief caused our blended family to fracture apart.
In 2008 I enrolled in the Cleveland State University Patient Advocate Certificate program.
I completed the coursework in 2010, after undergoing two serious medical situations myself, and co-managing my Mom’s long distance care for chronic illness, and subsequent death in 2009. This was followed by a similar situation for my Dad in 2011.
In the Fall of 2023, I became a widow for a second time of my spouse of 10 years, a mixed race, Army Combat Medic Veteran, amputee whose medical journey I supported through the VA in California, as well as Arkansas.
My journey has included both professional and paraprofessional healthcare advocacy, over the last 19 years.
Contact Advocate