The Big Risk We Don’t Talk About Enough: Medical Errors
When you walk into your doctor’s office or a hospital, you probably don’t immediately think about medical errors. Yet for those of us who’ve worked inside the healthcare system, we know they happen every day. They usually are...
Medical Inbox Detox: Reclaiming Mental Space in a World of Healthcare Noise
Patient portals and other technologies are in place to help patients, their families, and the healthcare team be better informed and enhance care coordination. Yet reality is telling a different story. If you’ve ever felt like your patient...
ABLE Accounts: A Payment Solution for Your Patient Advocacy Services
As an independent patient advocate, you know that one of the biggest challenges your clients face isn't just navigating the healthcare system—it's figuring out how to pay for your valuable services. While many of your clients recognize the...
Advocating For Sepsis Identification and Treatment
Sepsis is the body’s severe and potentially fatal response to an overwhelming infection. When a disease spreads into the bloodstream, the body’s immune system reacts intensely to combat it. However, this powerful response can sometimes...
Words Matter: Reframing Language to Support All Older Adults
Language Shapes Aging Experiences I just returned from a national conference where I had the privilege of hearing fantastic presentations from professionals in a variety of fields working with older adults. Again and again, I was reminded of...
Dental Advocacy: Bridging the Oral Health Crisis for Seniors
Oral health is a vital but often overlooked component of overall well-being—particularly for seniors. As adults age, they face a higher risk of tooth decay, gum disease, oral infections, and tooth loss, all of which can severely impact their...
Let’s Talk About Money: The Conversations We Avoid but Shouldn’t
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was searching for ways to give back—ways I could support the community in a strange and uncertain time. My advocacy business began as volunteer work. With a background in healthcare, particularly...
Why Every Patient Advocate Should Pack a Humor Toolkit: The Science-Backed Strategy That's Transforming Patient Care
After 35 years in medical communication, I've discovered that the most effective patient advocates aren't just armed with medical knowledge - they're equipped with something far more powerful: the ability to strategically deploy joy. The Medical...
What Should I Bring to the ER? An Emergency Physician’s Essential Checklist
What Should I Bring to the ER? An Emergency Physician’s Essential Checklist Why Being Prepared for the ER Matters A trip to the emergency room is often unexpected and stressful. I feel that – I'm an ER physician and it’s...
The Untapped Goldmine: Why Patient Advocates Are Missing Clients on the BBB
Here is a statistic that should stop every independent patient advocate in their tracks. According to a representative at the Better Business Bureau, within a 105-county territory in Texas, the BBB platform fielded over 10,000 searches for an...
Take Control of Your Surgery: Why Proper Preparation Can Change Everything
These are the two questions I ask every patient and caregiver I meet who's facing major elective surgery. "Do you want to get better?" "Will you let me help you with a proven pathway to assist you?" Your answers will determine everything...
Owning Your Care: Agency, Advocacy, Responsibility, and the 50-50 Healthcare Partnership
We often hear the phrase “practice what you preach.” As both a physician and a patient, I’ve learned that nowhere is this more important than in how we navigate healthcare. Over the years, I’ve written about the importance...
Sometimes It Just Takes One Phone Call
Navigating the healthcare system is challenging. Patients are already going through difficult times navigating a complex healthcare system. Imagine when they get a surprise medical bill in the mail! I found myself in this situation two months...
The Art of Independent Patient Advocacy: Learning Through Experience
Two years ago, I set out to learn what Independent Patient Advocacy was all about. I was excited to pivot my career and start a business. I started with the following question: What is the difference between a nurse case manager and an Independent...
Who Are You When You're Stripped Down to the Gown? Why Every Hospital Patient Needs an Advocate
Have you ever stopped to think about who you are when you're in the hospital? Or more to the point – who do others think you are when you're feeling overwhelmed and confused about your care? Picture this: You're facing a hospital stay, and...