• I offer a FREE Initial Consultation
• I offer TeleAdvocacy Service
• I am insured
• My geographical area of practice is Tampa Bay region of Florida to Sarasota Florida and the Florida Panhandle and Panama City Beach Florida , Maryland Mid-Atlantic region Atlanta Georgia Washington DC Northern VA New Jersey New York Pennsylvania

My Patient Advocacy Story

ADVOCATE: From the Latin advocare, meaning "to add a voice."

To advocate is to add a voice in support of a need, a cause, or a person who may be struggling to navigate a difficult situation alone. An advocate helps individuals understand their options, overcome barriers, and move toward their goals with confidence and support.

My journey as a Patient Advocate began the same day I became a Registered Nurse more than 45 years ago.

The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics states that "the nurse promotes, advocates for, and protects the rights, health, and safety of the patient." Throughout my nursing career, that principle has guided every role I have held and every patient and family I have served.

Over the years, I have worked as a staff nurse, home health nurse, occupational health nurse, workers' compensation case manager, rehabilitation liaison, and medical record clinical reviewer. Each role strengthened my understanding of healthcare systems, care coordination, healthcare navigation, medical decision-making, and the challenges patients and families face when trying to access quality care.

While building my nursing career, I was also raising four children and caring for aging parents.

My personal experience as a family caregiver profoundly shaped my understanding of patient advocacy.

My mother underwent cardiac bypass surgery, and I quickly found myself coordinating her care, communicating with physicians, attending appointments, helping my siblings understand treatment plans, and supporting her recovery. Like many family caregivers, I learned that navigating healthcare can be overwhelming, even for someone with a clinical background.

My father's healthcare journey was even more complex.

He lived with multiple chronic health conditions, including severe sleep apnea, long before CPAP therapy was widely available. A tracheostomy improved his breathing but led to years of infections, surgeries, and complications. Later, medication-related kidney damage resulted in kidney failure and dialysis.

Despite his age and multiple medical conditions, my father wanted to pursue a kidney transplant. Many believed the odds were against him, but our family continued to advocate for every available option. We attended countless medical appointments, requested care conferences, met with healthcare leaders, challenged assumptions, explored evolving treatment options, and worked collaboratively with physicians and healthcare teams to ensure he received the best possible care.

Throughout that journey, my mother learned to become an advocate as well. Together, we became a strong healthcare advocacy team—asking questions, seeking answers, and ensuring my father’s voice remained at the center of every decision.

When my father's health ultimately declined, we advocated for a transition to hospice care. Because of that decision, he was able to spend his final days comfortably, surrounded by the people he loved most.

Today, my mother continues to thrive in an independent living community. I was honored to help her navigate that transition and make informed decisions about her future care and quality of life.

These experiences taught me that healthcare is not just about diagnoses, treatments, and medical records. It is about people, families, communication, and having someone by your side when the path forward feels uncertain.

As an Independent Patient Advocate, Nurse Patient Advocate, and Healthcare Navigator, I now bring both my professional expertise and personal caregiving experience to the patients and families I serve.

Whether you are facing a new diagnosis, managing a chronic illness, coordinating care for an aging parent, preparing for a hospital discharge, seeking a second opinion, reviewing medical records, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the healthcare system, my goal is to help you navigate the journey with clarity, confidence, and support.

Because no one should have to navigate healthcare alone.