Tanya Bland

BSN-RN
A Voice Has Weight
Tanya

Tanya Bland

BSN-RN
A Voice Has Weight
Advocate Location
Norfolk , USA-VA 23510
Specialty
Medical Guidance
Other Services
Survivor Support
TeleAdvocacy Available
Offers FREE Initial Consultation
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*Greater National Advocates Terms of Use Apply
How I Can Help
I help individuals and families who feel overwhelmed, unheard, or uncertain while navigating healthcare and community-service systems. Using my A3 approach—Assess, Align, Advocate—I identify clients’ needs and concerns, recognize barriers, organize priorities, and clarify available options. My nearly three decades of nursing experience help me bridge communication gaps and identify important questions. I provide independent, nonclinical advocacy and do not replace healthcare providers.

I can assist clients with the following:

- Preparing questions for medical appointments
- Organizing health information, medications, and appointment records
- Attending appointments (virtually or in person) to support communication
- Expressing concerns, goals, and preferences
- Requesting clarification on unclear instructions or treatment options
- Reviewing discharge instructions and organizing follow-up steps
- Identifying barriers related to transportation, housing, food, insurance, or care access
- Researching appropriate healthcare and community resources
- Coordinating communication among clients, families, providers, and service organizations
- Providing three structured follow-ups to ensure connections are made and resolve remaining barriers

I offer virtual advocacy services and in-person support within my service area in Southside Virginia. Travel availability and any associated fees are always discussed prior to the start of services.
Important Information About Me
  • I offer a FREE Initial Consultation
  • I offer TeleAdvocacy Service
  • My geographical area of practice is United States
My Survivor Support Advocacy Qualifications
I am a survivor of Caregiver of a child with IDD and TBI. Caregiver of a mother with cancer. Mother of an injured military service member. Personal experience navigation recovery and caregiving.
My lived experience as a caregiver and family advocate has taught me the importance of listening, navigating complex systems, asking the right questions, and helping people feel heard.
Why I Became A Professional Health Care Advocate
My advocacy journey began with advocating for my sons and mother, continued throughout nearly three decades of nursing, and became even more personal after my stroke and aphasia—when my sons helped me find my own voice.
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Formal Education
Aspen University, Bachelor of Science in Nursing 5/2025- RN Nurse Licensure Compact
Halifax Community College, Associate Degree of Nursing 5/2014- RN Nurse Licensure Compact
Vocational Education Board Licensed Practical Nurse 8/1997- LPN Nurse Licensure Compact
Faith Experience
  • Catholicism
  • Christianity
  • Protestantism
  • Islamism/Muslim
  • Buddhism
  • Hinduism
  • Judaism
  • Atheism
Additional Skills
I bring nearly three decades of nursing experience in corrections, behavioral health, geriatrics, medical-surgical care, emergency care, long-term care, and services for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities, as well as other complex healthcare needs. My unique strengths include patient safety advocacy, healthcare navigation, caregiver education, healthcare review, resource coordination, and reentry support.

Through my A3 approach—Assess, Align, Advocate—I identify barriers, organize practical next steps, and help patients and families communicate with providers and community agencies. My warm-handoff process includes three follow-up checks to reduce gaps during transitions and to identify barriers related to housing, transportation, food access, healthcare, and community resources. My personal experience with aphasia also gives me a deeper understanding of what it means to need support finding and using one’s voice.
Professional Affiliations
Responsible use of Generative AI for research support
Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) training; Medicare Learning Network
Six Sigma Yellow Belt training in Progress
Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Coursework
Justice Ambassador
Prison Fellowship
Member, ASHRM and APHA
Volunteer service supporting people with disabilities and community preparedness
Member of Southside Behavioral Wellness
A Voice Has Weight Membership and Community Affiliations