Entrepreneur Hub General

Hi, I'm Amanda Trask, Founder of WellGuide Advocacy, LLC, based in southwestern New Hampshire. I provide patient advocacy services with a focus on chronic pain and complex health conditions, bringing together a background in acupuncture, pain neuroscience, and integrative and complementary health to help clients.

I started my career in higher education and added community health program implementation, with advocacy always in the back of my mind. Early on, the independent advocacy field in my area was small and hospital-based advocates dominated the landscape, so I held off. It took personal and family experience with the healthcare system, along with the disruption COVID brought, to finally push me to open my advocacy business.

I hold a Master's Degree in Acupuncture alongside a Master’s of Science in Pain Research, Education and Policy, and I have training in various alternative medicine modalities, stress management, biofeedback, and mindful meditation. I draw on all of it when it fits a client's needs and goals. I also serve as a community educator with The Care Partner Project, and regularly provide community education on both pain and advocacy.

I'm currently pursuing board certification through the PACB, and I'm genuinely here to learn as much as I hope to contribute. I look forward to connecting with you all and learning with and from you all.

Website: www.wellguideadvocacy.com/

Hi everyone, I’m Sheri Gaynor, and I’m so grateful to have found this group. Joining this community has truly helped confirm that starting my advocacy practice is the right next step for me, and I’m excited to learn from all of you along the way.

I’ve been a nurse since 1991, and my career has taken many different paths over the years based on the needs of my family and the experiences life brought my way. My background includes hospital nursing, home health, school nursing, case management, and working on the health plan side of healthcare. While my experience is diverse, caring for moms, babies, and children has always held a special place in my heart.

As my parents have gotten older, I’ve also developed a growing interest in Medicare, aging care, and helping families better understand and navigate the complexities of the healthcare system.

Life has also shaped me personally in profound ways. In 2022, I lost my 22-year-old son to a fentanyl overdose, and that experience changed me deeply. It has strengthened my compassion, broadened my perspective, and reinforced my desire to support families during some of the most overwhelming and vulnerable moments of their lives.

I’m looking forward to connecting, learning, and growing alongside all of you. Thank you for welcoming me into this space.

Excited to join this group who speak the same language I do…Advocacy! 😀

I am a career nurse case manager with the last 20 years in hospital case management leadership. Retiring in December!

I owned an independent advocate business from 2019-2025. In 2026, I founded The American Senior Citizen, LLC to focus on written and video content expanding the reach for patients, families and caregivers who are seeking real-world solutions quickly.

I look forward to connecting, collaborating and celebrating the wins with all of you 👏

Thanks for sharing! And welcome to this space for fellow patient advocates!

This is an awesome background story behind your reason for advocacy

Kim this is a great idea. Although I am not a social worker, I would love to join!

Hi Kim, I would love to join. Please add me to the event list. I look forward to talking soon! — Lauren

This is such a thoughtful and meaningful topic, Kim. You really made me reflect!

I’m not a social work advocate, but I truly enjoy learning from different perspectives and experiences. I’ll work on my list over the next three weeks so I can be ready for your roundtable.

Looking forward to it!

Casandera,
Thank you SOOO much for sharing this!

If you don't mind, I'd love to add a few thoughts…

1. If a newer advocate is looking to get out of their comfort zone, to learn types of things clients ask and to connect with other advocates, please contact me about volunteering with GNA's Advocacy Support Center («ASC»). We aren't a live hotline, but advocates are talking to real clients in need, helping to route them to the best resources.

2. If any advocate ever has a case they need help finding other advocates to consult, to contract under, or to make a warm handoff — again the ASC is here for you. POSTS LIKE THIS ARE IDEAL — and also, you're very welcome to ask our team to do a deep dive search of our directory and look for advocates who have the knowledge you're seeking.

Hav a GREAT day and thanks again for posting!

AI won’t replace patient advocates. But advocates who use AI will replace those who don’t. You don't need to become a tech genius, you just need to know how to use these tools securely, ethically, and efficiently to protect your time and your practice.

My course, «AI? Piece of Cake,» is built specifically for our profession with zero fluff and straight-to-the-point workflows. Bonus: it earns you 2.0 JEDI CE credits. You'll also qualify for Sonoran Wayfinders' digital badge, Responsible AI Advocate.

Renae, thanks so much for sharing this informative pst. I hope others will ask questions or share what's working for them!

Hello,
First allow me to preface that I am not giving legal advice — that is for attorneys only. But I have a healthy background in the legal system and my belief is that you can be deposed...period. You do not have doctor/patient protection, clergy/congregant protection or attorney/client protection.

Here's what I would do, if it were me and I truly believed the client and I are a good fit: Find a good attorney to represent you (not your prospective client) and ask them to advise you if a «Non-Disclosure Agreement» (NDA) could be executed between you and the prospective client such that you would have the ability to refuse to answer any questions posed in a deposition based on the NDA. You would still have to appear if you get a subpoena (and they «should» provide a stipend for your trouble if you have to travel over a certain number of miles...at least that's the case in my State).

So, bottom-line is — ask an attorney and go from there.

Best wishes. Let me know how this turns out for your.

Val Barschaw
Author/Speaker/Advocate… and former Superior Court Clerk

7 years

great question! thanks for sharing it.

Lisa, I fully agree with your perspective and appreciate you raising this important issue. As one of the “old-timers” in patient advocacy for over 12 years, I continue to work on a limited, highly selective basis, guided by an approach that prioritizes time, trust, and personal connection.

My core philosophy remains unchanged: to be a true champion for patients and their families as they navigate an increasingly complex healthcare system. Many who need advocacy simply cannot access it due to cost. For me, the greatest reward has always been human, not financial, and I do everything I can to work with Medicare clients and expand access for those who might otherwise go without support.

I also believe our services should not be excessive. I can not relate to fees of even 200.00 or more. At the same time, I respect advocates for whom this is their primary profession—they must charge fair, realistic, and justifiable rates.

I am encouraged that Umbra is helping create pathways for Medicare reimbursement. While modest, it represents an important step forward—one we should all support.

I agree Lisa, it's getting uglier indeed.

I had to Etch-a-Sketch my business model almost immediatly when I opened my independent advocacy practice. My LLC was formed in February 2020 and the world closed down in March due to Covid. But the changes I made allowed me to serve clients all over the USA remotely. Over the years my business has evolved. The unforseen changes I had to implement early, have benefited throughout the years. Being able to adapt to client's needs is something I continue with to this day.

Hi Lisa! Such a great post — thank you for sparking this conversation. When I built the documents and workflow for my practice, I found myself asking the same questions: Who is my patient population? What can I help with? Who are my partners?

The more I explored advocacy, the more I realized how broad our work truly is. We can support almost anyone, in so many different situations, and I worried that defining my services too narrowly might limit how clients see their own needs.

That’s why I offer a short, free consultation. It gives me space to ask questions clients may not think to ask, listen to their concerns, and highlight support they may not realize an advocate can provide. That brief conversation often brings clarity for both of us.

The first thing you would need to be able to answer is why that would benefit the law firm? If you can see a clear path how your service helps them — then you have a potential opportunity.

If you have a know someone who works at a law firm you want to approach, take them to coffee or lunch and ask what the firm needs most? Listen to what pain points they have that you can help fix and begin there.

Having worked in law firms, I tried to imagine what would happen if someone come into the office seeking referrals. The only thing I could envision is if you have a professional brochure of your services (you know the kind you can put in a little display) that you may be able to set that in a waiting room area where one of their clients may pick it up and reach out to you. But only after you have shown the firm — it will help the firm.

Many lawyers are hesitant to make referrals...period. (But they love receiving them.)

Not meaning to sound negative, but until you can show them how you can help them, there is little reason to have a relationship.

A good relationship will lead to good referrals. Best wishes.

Andrew, this is a GREAT question! I'm hoping our members will jump in and share some insights.

Thanks for generously sharing a free article. Although I do not plan to sit for the exam, I appreciate all your hard work. Best wishes.

Thanks for sharing!
I do this part time, about 10 hours a week for context. My business is 3.5 years old. My clients mainly find me through GNA and word of mouth/referrals.

I offer a free inital consultation to make sure it's a good fit for everyone. There have been a few times where the free consut doesn't lead anywhere for me, and that's okay.

I do know some folks have built referral channels through building relationships with proivders direclty, or through marketing to care facilities.

THANK YOU @sylvia reisman, for such a GREAT dynamic question.

As we move from 'pre-launch' to really driving traffic to the site, I so hope you get a TON of response. I'm certainly eager to see it.

I’m a sole proprietor and chose that because LLC is a tax basis and not an adequate liability shield. Just testing here!

First, thanks for helping to test PA360 for us!

I opened an LLC. Although I am not actively building out my client list, as most of my time is spent working for GNA, but I often have kept a small client list.

The best resources along the way have been fellow advocates, who generously have shared their «what worked for me, what didn't»s, encouraged me to keep going and not be intimidated by the business aspect of ..well, running a business, and who willingly have shared their professional expertise when a case felt too big, or perhaps had an aspect I wasn't as comfortable with as the rest of the case. It gave me lived experiences that showed me just how invaluable having a community of advocate colleagues can be.

Leah,
Thank you so much for sharing this incredibly compelling story. I'm so very sorry for that patient; I can imagine that terror she was feeling, and am heartbroken for her.
Thank you so much for the work that you do in the county hospital.

Thinking of you, and that patient, today,
AnnMarie