WELCOME to PA360! Please introduce yourselves!

Welcome, Everyone!

For those I've not met, I'm AnnMarie Cross, I'm GNA's director of advocacy engagement. I manage this new community, as well as many other areas meant to provide support to you, our advocates, and to those looking to become an advocate.

I am a newly minted BCPA, but do not currently practice one-on-one advocacy with clients. I do, however, spend significant time supporting Sam on GNA's Advocacy Support Center.

I'm a rare genetics patient, («rare»), with hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome impacting me since before I was born. I am very active in community advocacy for my conditions, running one of the largest Facebook groups in the world for EDS and comorbidities.

Please feel free to «connect» with me, and test out the messaging function by saying «HI»!

Hi everyone! I’m Laura Finnelly, RN, BCPA, CSCM, and the founder of Guided Care RN Advocates in the Chicago area. I come from a nursing background and started my company after seeing firsthand how often patients and families struggle to navigate complex, fragmented healthcare systems.

Our focus is independent patient advocacy—helping people understand their options, prepare for appointments, coordinate care, and advocate effectively during challenging medical situations.

I’m really glad to be here and to connect with other advocates who understand both the rewards and the challenges of this work. I’m looking forward to learning from you all, sharing resources, and supporting one another as we continue to strengthen the advocacy profession.

Thanks for having me!

Thanks SO much for taking the time to introduce yourself!

Laura,
Thank you again for being involved so early in our site's development!

Our membership could really benefit from learning from you about working with the VA system, with tricare, and caring for those seniors who have served out country.

Could I encourage you to start a thread in the «caring for those with special needs' space inside of 'special care and aging' — either educating fellow advocates on the basics of the VA system, or better still asking a thought provoking question to open discussion about supporting this vulnerable population who deserves the very best from our country and their healthcare system, but often do not get it?

Hi Advocates,

I’m Sofie Schwartz, the General Manager at GNA. I handle much of the behind-the-scenes work, and I am incredibly excited about the launch of our community. This space was created to help advocates collaborate more easily in a safe, professional environment.

I worked at GNA from 2020 to 2022, then returned to school to earn my MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I now live in Madison, WI, and am back at GNA full time!

I’m also Brad Schwartz’s daughter, so advocacy has been part of my life literally since preschool, and it has been incredible to watch the profession grow and evolve. I truly believe we are entering a very bright future for advocacy, and this community is a huge step!

Please feel free to connect with me and send a message, whether it’s about the community or anything else. I would love to connect and support you in any way I can.

Thanks SO much for all you do, Sofie!

Hello Fellow Advocates,
I am Marc Berlin, Board Certified Patient Advocate & Senior Home Safety Specialist with On The Marc Patient Advocate Services from Long Island, New York. Our focus is focusing on guidance, navigation and coordination to allow older individuals to age in place safely.

Thanks so much for introducing yourself, Marc! Would you share where you are located in your intro?

Marc, Your niche as a senior home safety specialist would likely be really fascinating to many of our advocates in the special care and aging space. Could i encourage you to start a post in that area, likely under 'senior care' — to help folks understand what does that mean exactly, and also when might an advocate who has a client in your region consult or contract with you to support that or other specific skillsets you bring?

Hello everyone,
I am an RN and a medical advocate with a team of dedicated professionals. I believe I was the second round of people to take the BCPA test. I am on a few boards that allow me to spread the word about medical advocacy. We have a 10-year retrospective study that demonstrates saving life, money, time and emotional support within our company. Our team has experience with medical navigation, mental illness, long term care insurance, care plans, and power of attorney and guardianship. We provide many CEU opportunities for RNs, SW, and administrators. It would be great to add BCPAs to our process. This is a wonderful community, and we appreciate all the work the team is doing to bring this to families and clients.

My goal is to continue to educate and help people understand our role throughout the United States. We are covered under Medicare and I am starting to submit proposals for speaking engagements.

Jean,
Your team does such amazing, fascinating work. In the entrepreneur hub, if you're game, we would love to hear from you in the 'special care and aging' space on any topic you'd like to share! The work your nonprofit team does is so critical, so important.

Using AnnMarie's words, I am a 'newly minted' GNA member with my profile going live today! I am a USA Traveling Death Doula residing in Northern California. I specialize in serving those who choose medical aid in dying (MAID), voluntarily stopping eating and drinking (VSED) and those who have no support so they don't have to plan and die alone (NODA). Since I do travel, this site has been a valuable find when I need resources and connections in states other than CA. Thank you AnnMarie and Sam for the onboarding!

Rita,
It was such a pleasure meeting you last month!

Could I encourage you to start a conversation about EOLD, MAID, VSED, or NODA? The «special care & aging» space «caring for those with special needs» would be a great place for those conversations. MANY of our membesr have little to know knowledge of any of those acronyms, so you could start hter.e Or you could ask some thought provoking questions to open dialogue about how to support a client who has made one of these decisions, but their family or even their clinical team do not support it?

Hello! I'm Victoria, a BCPA located in Los Angeles, CA. I focus on advocacy for individuals and families navigating complex chronic illness, rare disease, or undiagnosed conditions through my company Chronically Advocating.

I know a lot about California health insurance regulation and laws, as well as still always learning about ERISA and federal laws. I specialize in commercial insurance. So if you have any questions, ask away!

I bring my personal experience navigating the healthcare system due to my own multiple chronic illnesses and rare diseases. In addition to my one-on-one advocacy, I serve on the Advocacy Committee for the Spondylitis Association of America, the California Advocacy Team at the U.S. Pain Foundation, and the California State Advocacy Committee for the Arthritis Foundation. I sit on the board of G-PACT and co-lead the only monthly gastroparesis support group. I also am a Merit Reviewer with PCORI and am part of the NIH HEAL T90/R90 Lived Experience Advisory Group, bringing the patient voice into clinical research.

Always happy to connect with other advocates.

www.chronicallyadvocating.com
victoria@chronicallyadvocating.com
Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @victoriakillianofficial
YouTube: @victoriakillian
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/victoriakillian

Victoria,
A pleasure to see you here, and thank you for all you do in our share chronic conditions communities.

We specifically added a specialty area — in medical guidance, in 'specific conditions' is 'connective tissue disorders (EDS & friends). We made this space specifically for specialists like you to help those who are less familiar in our space, and also to let Zebra advocates talk to each other with indepth, complex questions that might 'get lost' (do 'get lost') in general forums lke the old facebook groups.

So many who know a bit about the hCTD world, for example, know little to nothing about how complex gastroparesis really is, or its interplay with its comorbids like MCAS. We'd love to hear your thoughts there, or to encourage conversation on that topic.

WELCOME!
gnanow.org/community/medical-guidance/room2-mg/connective-tissue-disorders-eds-friends

Hi, I’m Renea Stasaski, «newly-minted» BCPA, Founder of Sonoran Wayfinders, LLC. We provide in-person advocacy services in Tucson, AZ, as well as nationwide via tele-advocacy. My path to advocacy began with an MS in Biomedical Engineering from Vanderbilt University and 20 years of experience in medical device development. However, my front-line experience came from serving as a volunteer long-term care ombudsman in Texas. That mix of technical background and direct patient rights work gave me a unique perspective on how to navigate complex healthcare systems.

Education has always been a core part of my professional identity; I spent a dedicated chapter of my career as an educator, teaching adults at the community college level in both in-person and online environments. More recently, I stepped into the Artificial Intelligence world as a Subject Matter Expert for RLHF (Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback), where I trained Large Language Models in math and biomedical engineering.

While I’ve returned my full focus to advocacy, I’ve brought those AI insights with me. I use these tools daily to cut through the noise of medical data and move faster for my clients. Now, I’m building resources to help others do the same.

I’m currently offering:

BCPA Certification Study Materials: Recognizing that everyone learns differently, I’ve developed a multimodal study system designed for all learning styles. My resources include podcasts, videos, interactive flashcards, presentations, and practice quizzes to ensure students master the material through the medium that works best for them.

AI-Integrated CE Courses (Coming Soon): I am developing a suite of Continuing Education courses where AI tools are baked into the curriculum. Students learn core advocacy content while gaining hands-on experience with AI. I focus on free tools and professional de-identification techniques, ensuring that even if students have never used AI, they can safely and immediately apply these efficiencies to their practice without compromising patient privacy.

I look forward to supporting and learning from my colleagues in this forum. Thanks to GNA for creating this venue!

Website: SonoranWayfinders.com
BCPA Certification Exam Study Guide: sonoranwayfinders.gumroad.com/l/asswv

Renea,
Thank you so much for your support of GNA!

I would like to encourage you to get involved in the 'entrepreneur hub' now that we're officially launched. Share information about your BCPA study materials — or better yet, start a Q&A about the BCPA there! Encourage newbies to ask questions that help them feel prepared to even take the step of signing up for the exam (I get these questions EVERY day), and show the type of knowledge and information you've gathered for this program.

Or, same category, provide an overview of AI tools, or ethical AI use in advocacy — ideally with a thought provoking question that invites real dialogue.

We're thrilled to have your voice here, and very much want to hear it.

Hello everyone!

My name is Blaire Flamand RN, BCPA, CCRN, CFRN, CHE and I am an Independent RN Patient Advocate and founder of CompassHealth Advocacy & Education based in Kentucky. My background is Intensive Care/Critical Care nursing (inpatient, transport via ground and air ambulance) for the last 15 years. I specialize in complex cases, but certainly assist with advocacy, coordination, navigation, and education for anyone in need of an advocate!

I am so excited to see the launch of this platform!

Blaire,
Thank you so much for being here!

We would LOVE for you to start a conversation here — share info about when to lean into/get a consult from a CCRN/CFRN? describe what your credentials are and when they matter? talk about emergency transportation medicine and how you are involved there? Your voice is so important here, and we'd love for you to share your wisdom or even better to ask a thought provoking question that gets others involved.

Hi, all!

Welcome to 2026! My name is Kim Feth, and I'm a medical social worker turned mom and then wife managing medical crisis turned professional, private healthcare advocate. My practice is pretty much 50% insurance and billing issues and 50% complex discharge and pathway patients.

I wake up every day excited to see what problems I get to solve.

I appreciate this community of advocates who support each other while honoring that each advocate is unique and different.

SHOUT OUT

Kimberlie,
Thank you for your incredible support of the GNA team.

I would love for you to start a conversation in one of the spaces for us!

My impression is that you have a strong lean into discharge planning and transitions out of the hospital. Would you choose a space, and start a conversation about discharge planning? or a conversation about helping your client learn to self advocate? Either share some of your knowledge or, ideally, ask a thought provoking question that drives conversation?

We love hearing your voice in the FB group. Would love it here!

Hello everyone from Texas! This is such a neat, new resource, thrilled to be a part!

I'm Jessica Chance, a nurse practitioner in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and the founder of Alongside Health Partners, a patient advocacy and health care planning consultancy. I am new to the advocacy business, but not new to healthcare with over ten years experience as a registered nurse and nurse practitioner. My background is in critical care, transplant coordination, nursing education, and internal, and transplant medicine, all heavily focused in an inpatient hospital setting.

I have been participating more in GNA's events and enjoying connecting with other advocates. What an honor to come alongside those who are navigating the healthcare system. Looking forward to getting to know all of you better! Happy 2026!

Jessica A. Chance, NP
www.alongsidehealthpartners.com
Jessica@Alongsidehealthpartners.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaachance/
Instagram, Facebook: @AlongsideHealthPartners

Jessica,
Thrilled to see you here! Thank you for jumping in so early.

I would LOVE you to start a thread in one of hte spaces — whether medical guidance or special care and aging.

What should an advocate know whose client has moved from CKD to needing a kidney transplant? what other critical issues around transplant medicine might other advocates not realize?

When should an advocate lean into to someone with critical care experience? Are you open to coaching others if the situation is less complex; being a consultant and working on a case together? when might it be best for esp an early-career advocate to suggest a 'warm hand off' to their client to a CCRN or similar critical care/ER/ICU experienced nurse or NP like you?

Best wishes to everyone as you expand your practice and work with other advocates to explore opportunities for increasing your contacts to serve more patients and families in need! As a hospital administrator for 20 years with national reach, I can connect clients with key academic physicians to arrange second and third opinions, arrange transfers and supervise all medical and nursing care being given.

Hi, Laurie! Thanks so much for joining, and for sharing your background and how you might assist other advocates. We're glad you're here!

Laurie,
Thanks so much for joining!

As an administrator, you have such an interesting perspective of the healthcare system that many of our advocates may not have.

Could i encourage you to start a thread in the 'medical guidance' 'general' space — sharing tidbits other advocates may not know? or ask a thought provoking question to help others think about how to work WITH the hospital resources that are available to ease their client's challenges? or start a conversation about «Unsafe Discharge»?

We want your perspective and your voice.

Hello from Alabama! Next month I will complete my 6th year in business as an independent patient advocate. I serve clients across the USA and beyond.

I have a degree in accounting and spent 14 years auditing hospital reimbursements for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama. This included audits of both governmental and private insurance. I also spent a few years working on the hospital side, working for Alabama's largest health system in their reimbursement department.

On the care side of healthcare, I have been a licensed EMT for over 33 years. I still provide care as an EMT with my local volunteer fire department whenever I can.

I became a BCPA in 2018 at the initial exam offering. In 2020, I opened up my own independent patient advocacy business. In 2022, I was awarded the inaugural Independent Advocate of the Year award by the Healthcare Advocate Summit.

Roughly 80% of my business relates to the financial side of healthcare. Denials, claims, medical bills, negotiating settlements… I also work with clients to file supplemental insurance claims on policies such as AFLAC. The remaining 22% of my business relates to navigating healthcare.

My ideal client is one with a medical bill in excess of $50,000. I will accept smaller cases, they just need to make financial sense for a client to pay me to resolve. These can be from either an insurance claim that has left the client owing more than they thought they should owe to someone with no insurance who is looking to negotiate a reduced rate in exchange for a single, lump sum payment. I enjoy the challenge of untangling the crazy things that happen to insurance claims and pushing to make sure the claims are paid properly.

Hi, Jeff! Thanks so much for dropping by, and for sharing a little of your background.

Could I encourage you to edit your comment and give others a bit of background of what's your «sweet spot»? What does your 'ideal' client look like? What kinds of cases should others reach out to you for?

Updated.

Thanks so much for sharing this, Jeff!

Could i encourage you to drop into the «insurance & billing» space and start a conversation? Maybe share some insights for folks who don't tackle such complex, large claims? Maybe provide some guidance on when is the right time to bring in a specialist like you, to collaborate on a complex patient case? Or ask an impactful question that would encourage conversation with experts such as yourself for those who are newer in this realm?

Hello,

My name is Kamani Odina-Herbert. I am new to being an independent advocate, but not new advocating for my patients. I have been a Psych Nurse working bedside since 2019 and became a Board Certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner since 2024.

I want to use what I have learned from working bedside and from my DNP program to help patients navigate the Mental Health. Everything from living with their diagnosis to understanding their medications.

Looking forward to learning more about what I can do as a patient advocate and what others can do for my patients and their families.

Kamani,
Such a pleasure to meet you.

The advocacy support center often gets requests for information or help from complex behavioral health or psychiatric meds clients. We provide them a curated list of advocates from the GNA site. Having this additional information about your background will help my team know to add you to those curated lists.

Could I encourage you to drop into the medical guidance, general space, and share some wisdom about helping a patient understand their psych meds? I know it is something advocates run into every day, who don't have your level of knowledge here.

Hi, I am Tracy from Florida (Tampa Bay area). I look forward to meeting some of you and collaborating! My area of concentration is the Aging population, Caregivers, and Solo Agers. Collaboration of ideas is very similar to compound interest and brings even more to the table. Happy to do so, actually like doing so! Nice to meet you and I wish us all a successful year ahead!

Tracy, welcome! Thanks for being here!

Would love for you to start a conversation in the special care & aging space. Do you have questions for advocates who have even more time in this space than you? Would you like to share a 'win' experience that might be encouraging to early career advocates who are wondering what kind of impact they can make?
We'd love to hear from you!

Great site, GNA! I'm Lisa Berry Blackstock, a brain surgery survivor turned patient advocate in 2008. My background is in hospice and palliative care, life care and estate planning, follower of healthcare public policy, hands-on advocacy, as well as remote work. My work focuses on patient support in healthcare settings and insurance, billing negotiation, and developing professional relationships that can be used for leveraging and negotiating on behalf of my cients. I've been based in Reno the last six years, but launched my practice in 2008 while living in Los Angeles (where I still work 3-4 days each month.) My business is Soul Sherpa® Healthcare Advocacy Services and Soul Sherpa® Solutions. I'm a mentor, speaker, and writer. I'm grateful to be a Legacy Member of GNA. Nice to see everyone here!

Lisa, thank you for all you do.

We built out a space JUST for supporting hCTD patients including ehlers danlos. I'd love to have you drop in that space, and either ask a question to open discussion with other hCTD — aware advocates, or share a success tory that might help advocates who are just starting out supporting these types of clients to know what's possible.

I’m open!

Nice site and a good way for us all to communicate. My name is Anne Llewellyn. I am a nurse advocate from the State of Florida. I have been in healthcare throughout my nursing career. I have been a catastrophic nurse in the ED and Respiratory ICU, moved into Risk Management, and then into Case Management. After surviving a Brain Tumor, I turned to Patient/Health Advocacy as I realized, after my own experience, how hard it is for people/patients and caregivers to navigate the complex healthcare system.

Today, I mentor those who want to enter the field while still carrying a small caseload as I move into retirement. I will visit here often and look forward to interacting with YOU!

Congrats to all at GNA for their work in bringing us together!

Anne, thank you so much for your incredible support of GNA, including your work with our blog!!!

Could I encourage you to start a post for us, and help others learn from your knowledge?

Lots of early career advocates dont even KNOW that coaching exists. Would you like to start a post in the 'entrepreneur hub' and just describe an interesting success you had coaching a fellow advocate? or describe what your coaching program looks like, what sorts of background do you work with (I know some coaches only coach fellow nurses; some only clinicians; others coach only in certain areas like insurance or billing)?

We'd love to hear from you.

Hi everyone: I’m passionate about empowering individuals and families with clear, reliable information so they can confidently make the best decisions for their health and future. Education changes outcomes — and I love being part of that transformation.

With over 15 years in Cardiovascular Intensive Care, experience as a former owner of an assisted living and services company, 5+ years as a home health nurse, 3+ years as a home infusion nurse, and 3 years as a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant, I bring both clinical depth and real-world operational insight to every conversation.

Today, I not only serve clients navigating complex healthcare situations, but I also mentor and support new patient advocates and care managers. My goal is simple: to help them grow into strong, confident leaders — so they can go on to inspire and empower others in this rapidly growing field.

There is nothing more fulfilling than helping families find clarity during overwhelming moments and guiding fellow professionals as they step into purpose-driven work. We love connecting, collaborating, and offering personalized 1:1 training to build both competence and confidence.

Because when the right information meets the right support, everything changes.

I LOOOVE learning more about our advocates by reading these intros. thanks deidra!

Deidra — good morning!

I suspect a lot of advocates do not know what a CLNC is, or when they might really benefit from consulting with a CLNC on a case they are handling or when they might want to locate a CLNC or similar credentialed advocate to provide their client the option of a 'warm hand-off' to an advocate better suited for their complex case.

Could I nudge you into writing a post for us in «medical guidance» «general» — about the kinds of places where your CLNC becomes important? (I'd also love to see a blog post on the topic!)

Thanks GNA for creating this platform.

Thanks for being a part!!!

Hello. How are you doing today? I'm Val Barschaw and have been traversing the healthcare system during a 35 (and counting) year journey as an advocate and caregiver to a heart transplant patient. That intensity at times can feel daunting — because it is. It is so wonderful to have this community to invigorate us and share the wonders of being transformed into the advocate who gives even more. Because, together we make a profound difference. I whole-heartedly thank GNA for making this community possible.

Thanks so much for being involved, Val! We hope you'll toss an interesting post up for us, too!

Good morning, Val! WE MADE IT! :) Thank you for your support through this whole process.

Could I encourage you to open a conversation? Share some of your experience supporting a heart transplant patient? You are welcome to share info on your book so long as there isn't a long series of just marketing posts. Better yet, tell us why you wrote it, tell us what you hope folks will gain from it.

the 'medical guidance' 'general' space is likely a good starting point for it, but feel free to go wherever feels right to you!

Thank you for the encouragement. Let's see :) Posted under medical guidance, general.

Hi Advocate Family,

My advocacy began with a 30 year career in nursing. I focus on medical advocacy through trauma informed care and assisting seniors to safely age at home while reducing their cost through LTC planning. My passion for advocacy continues to grow as I support and advocate for my father who is blind and disabled, within a very challenging family dynamic, and as I guide my daughter diagnosed last year with a rare genetic/metobolic disorder following years of untreated symptoms and being gaslit. I'll be sitting for the BCPA this year!

Lisa,
WELCOME!!! And thank you for saying hi!

We would love if you would start a conversation in one of our many topic areas. Youve got such a broad range of issues going on!

Are there things in your daughters' journey either others could learn from or you have questions about? (If her rare disorder happens to be connective tissue related, we even have a space JUST for those conversations:

gnanow.org/community/medical-guidance/room2-mg/connective-tissue-disorders-eds-friends

If it isn't, the conversations are still very welcome in the general room of the medical guidance space.

Do you have insight to share about managing a complex family dynamic while advocating for your own family? or questions for those who have already done it? the «special care & aging» and «senior care» space is ideal for those conversations.

Again, thank you for being here.

Hello Fellow Advocates,

Here in the North San Francisco Bay Area I deliver problem solving, stress reducing, healthcare support to my clients!

If you know someone in this region who is dealing with medical issues, general healthcare problems, or insurance headaches – I can help.

Call: 707-289-5226

(Please ONLY provide referrals to residents of Sonoma, Marin & Napa counties, CA)

Stay safe and strong,

Paul Ennis, PPAHN

www.pwe-patient-advocate-navigator.com/

Hi, Paul!

I would love if you did me a HUGE favor. Click into the «insurance and billing» discussion rooms, and get some conversation started! Share a complex win you've had recently; share some guidance on the wildly changing insurance landscape that the average advocate who just touches a small amount of ins&bill issues may not know.

We're thrilled you are here; we'd love your help in opening up conversation.

Hello Fellow Advocates,

I bring over 30 years of personal and professional experience in orthotics and prosthetics. As both a clinician and an amputee, I now focus exclusively on amputee coaching, supporting individuals as they navigate the physical, emotional, and practical aspects of life after amputation.

I see clients and collaborate with healthcare professionals both in person and virtually throughout North America (USA and Canada). I also lead live, interactive Zoom support meetings, including Amputees Preparing Amputees 4 Life (APA4L) and APA4L: Single-Leg Above Knee Amputees, centered on education, lived experience, and peer connection.

I’m grateful to be here and look forward to connecting with you.

Warmly,
Lynn

Hi, we are Pam Dunwald and Linda Kritikos of Wisconsin. Pam is between Madison and La Crosse and Linda in in the Kenosha WI area. We are both RNs with over 40 years' experience each and in lieu of retiring we became BCPA back in 2020. We are Your Nurse Advocate Consulting

Our niche is aging adults and their families. We provide in-person and virtual services with subscription clients across the country. Many adult children of aging parents hire us to assist in the management of the healthcare needs of their aging loved ones.

We have a podcast, Healthcare Redefined; Advocating for Aging Adults and Their Families. We have a YouTube Channel as well as several free resources and checklists we share. Our website is: yournurseadvocateconsulting.com

Linda and I both have many years of experience in Home Health, Hospice, Acute Care, Emergency Care, Case Management, Utilization Review as well as Executive Leadership Nursing. We wrote the book, «Cracking the Hospice Code» Your Nurse Advocates Debunk the Top 10 Misconceptions of Hospice.

We are very proud to be here. Thank you for this platform as well as the referrals we have received from GNA.
Pam

Pam and Linda, WELCOME!!! Thank you for saying hi!

Please consider going into the «special care & aging» section, under general, and share information about your podcast there.

Then please consider starting a conversation. Share some wisdom for someone early-career into supporting aging adults. Or start a meaningful conversation with others who work in this space.

Make the space yours — for all of you in this specialty. We want your voice!

Lynn,
Thank YOU for the amazing content you are adding into the «medical guidance — condition-specific — limb loss» room. It is so informative and so important. THANK YOU for being a founding member in this community who is taking the time to share your knowledge.

Hello Advocates! This is such an exciting find! I'm very happy to be here and to collaborate and connect with you all. My passion and focus is helping solo agers and independent adults to stay in control—before crisis forces decisions.

Because independence is strongest when it is supported by systems, relationships, and intentional design. The goal is not dependence. The goal is resilience.

Thank you all for the work you do.

Carol, what a moving and important introduction!

Could I encourage you to start a thread in the 'special care and aging' section about just that? How do you help a solo ager maintain independence? How do you help them understand what's going on with their healthcare and be resilient? How do you help them change lifelong habits that can help them stay in their homes longer or be independent longer?

(You could put it into 'senior care' or 'general' — would fit either place.)

What a great way to connect with other professionals! So happy to be a part of this community. I am a Care Manager Certified with a degree in Gerontology and over 20 years of experience in communities and advocacy/care management. I reside in Palm Beach County, FL. Feel free to check out my website at www.managedwithcare.net
All the best to you all!

Allison, we're so glad you're here!

Could I encourage you to go to the «special care and aging» section, and start a conversation? Would you be open to starting a thread there? Here are some ideas (which you could also write as blogs instead!) I’d love to hear your take on something like:

* 'The 3 biggest mistakes families make when transitioning a loved one to managed care' or
* 'How the Florida care landscape is changing for seniors.' or
* 'Beyond the Brochure: 5 Clinical Red Flags to Look for When Touring a Memory Care Unit.' Families often look at the decor; we need your help knowing what to look for in the care."
* Or, ask a difficult question that you and other experienced gerontology specialists wrestle with every day.
* Or 'Strategies for Communicating Complex Healthcare Decisions to Patients with Diminishing Capacity'?

I sure will. Thank you!

Hi everyone! I’m Ashley DiMaggio, MSN, RN, founder of GuideWell Patient Advocates based in Maryland. I’m a nurse and independent patient advocate specializing in care transitions, Medicare appeals, and helping families navigate complex healthcare situations with clarity and confidence.

My clinical background includes emergency medicine, community health, long-term care, infection prevention, and care management. I now work primarily with older adults and their families, supporting them through hospital discharges, rehab and skilled nursing stays, insurance challenges, and decisions about next levels of care.

I’m especially passionate about education and empowerment. I teach workshops and webinars for caregivers and professionals on topics like discharge planning, patient rights, and navigating the healthcare system without feeling overwhelmed.

I love connecting with other advocates and learning how others approach complex cases, so I’m glad to be here and look forward to getting to know everyone!

Ashley, WELCOME!!!

first — please see the new post I just put into 'advocate referral needed' — that has some overlap to your experience (but is pediatric) or perhaps you know an advocate you would suggest I consider adding to the client's short list?

second — would LOVE you to start a conversation in any of several possible spaces — in 'insurance & billing" on working with medicare appeals; in medical guidance sharing advice or better yet a thought provoking discussion about some area of complex healthcare.

THANKS for being here!

Thank you so much for the warm welcome, AnnMarie. I really appreciate you thinking of me and including me in that conversation.

Pediatrics isn’t my specialty, and I want to be mindful of staying within my area of expertise so families get the best possible support. I don’t currently have a pediatric advocate I can confidently recommend, but I’m following that thread and would love to see who others suggest.

I’d be happy to start a conversation in the insurance/appeals space. One topic I see come up often is how families can effectively respond when a discharge or coverage decision feels rushed or premature. I’ve found that many people don’t realize what rights and timelines they actually have, and that knowledge can completely change outcomes. I’d love to hear how others approach those situations as well.

Thanks again for the thoughtful suggestions and for creating such a welcoming space.

Hi everyone! I'm the founder of Seattle Patient Advocates. My practice centers on clinical navigation with a focus on facilitating more productive and satisfying out-patient care, and assisting clients through ER and hospital/SNF/rehab stays and discharges. I offer, and really enjoy, in-person advocacy in clinical settings. I am a physical therapist with a clinical background in neuro, trauma, geriatrics, and critical care.

Welcome Cheryl! We're so glad you're here. We would love if you would start a conversation that utilizes your specific knowledge and expertise, perhaps helping others understand how your DPT background is impactful in geriatric neuro cases or trauma recovery or post-ICU? Or opening a conversation with others about unique challenges in the healthcare community of the greater northwest?

Hi Cheryl. I am Val Barschaw and I live 100 miles east of Seattle — so to my way of thinking...we're practically neighbors! I want to be sure that we stay in touch so I can refer potential clients your way. You have a great website and your candid approach on the importance of payments in advance is a WINNER. I devote a large portion of my time to speaking engagements with an emphasis on patient preparedness for better outcomes. I encourage checking out my blog posts on GNANOW. Be to sure comment back if you want me to fill out your contact form on your website.

I think you're in Cle Elum? I believe I've given your name to some folks who have contacted me from that side of the mountains. Yes, please reach out so we can be in more direct contact.

Hello, I’m Amy Kaidi, RN, Certified Legal Nurse Consultant, and Board Certified Patient Advocate. I am the founder of Entrusted Health Advocates, an independent patient advocacy practice serving patients and families primarily in Orange County, California; however I do provide remote services for insurance advocacy.

I have over 30 years of nursing experience with a background in insurance case management, acute rehabilitation, levels of care determinations, and medical legal consulting. This experience allows me to support clients across the full continuum of care, from hospitalizations and rehab stays to complex insurance issues and outpatient health system navigation.

My work focuses on healthcare advocacy (inpatient & outpatient), insurance advocacy, and some legal case review and regulatory escalation. I remain independent from insurance companies and healthcare systems to ensure unbiased, patient centered advocacy. I offer a complimentary 30 minute consultation and welcome collaboration with fellow advocates and professionals.

I look forward to connecting.

Amy, Thanks so much for joining and sharing about your background and practice.

Could I encourage you to start a new thread in medical guidance about any of the unique areas of your practice that might interest others? or begin a conversation about the unique community of Southern California healthcare?

Hi all, My name is Dana Hutson. I am founder of Cancer Champions. After a career at Genentech, and subsequently shepherding my own family members through cancer diagnoses I founded Cancer Champions. I now assist families through the complexity of a cancer diagnosis, from diagnosis through survivorship. I'm located outside DC and provide services nationally. Always happy to share any insights if you are assisting someone with a cancer diagnosis.

Dana, thank you so much for telling us a bit about your practice and your history! We would LOVE for you to start a new thread, and share something about the particular needs or challenges of supporting cancer patients along their journey — within the «medical guidance — Condition-Specific Questions and Resources» space. Perhaps something like — what do you wish other advocates knew about supporting an existing client who suddenly encounters a cancer diagnosis? or open a dialogue about particular challenges unique in the oncology space?

Greetings,

My Name is Andrew Murray. I am the Founder and Patient Advocate for " On Course Patient Navigation ".
I was formally a " Patient Navigator " for New-York Presbyterian. Nice to meet you all. I am on linkedIn as well. please feel free to add me. I will be specializing with elder care.

Thank you so much for sharing your background, Andrew, and for making a conversation starter post in the special care space!!!

Hello! I'm Maggie and I just started my advocacy practice. I'm located in Bellingham, WA and am hoping to work primarily with in-person clients and families in the Pacific Northwest but open to all!
My background is as a bedside RN and, for the last 10 years, a Physician Assistant. I have worked in many specialties and overseas. I have expertise in neonatology and OB care, ICU care and addiction medicine. I have personal advocacy experience as a parent of a neurodivergent kiddo and as an autoimmune patient.

Please feel free to reach out to connect!

Thanks!
Maggie
www.patientadvocatesnw.com

It was such a pleasure to meet you recently maggie!

In medical guidance, we have a space for 'condition specific topics'. I would LOVE for you to pop in there and open a discussion about parenting a neurodivergent child, or about living with your specific autoimmune condition(s). thanks for being here!

Hi Maggie — or can I say «Hi neighbor!» I am also in Washington — but in the center of the State outside of Ellensburg. Welcome aboard and I hope we meet one day to share all the great successes you are having. Best wishes.

Hello everyone — I’m CarolAnne Dube, MS, BCPA, founder of Patient Advocates of Southwest Florida (PAoSWFL). I’m glad to be part of PA360 and to learn alongside this community.
My path into patient advocacy was shaped both professionally and personally. After years working in healthcare leadership and clinical environments, I also experienced firsthand what it means to navigate the healthcare system as both a care partner and a patient myself. Those experiences revealed how overwhelming and fragmented healthcare can feel, even for those who understand the system from the inside.
That became my “why” and led me to independent advocacy, where I help medically complex clients and families find clarity, confidence, and steadiness amid uncertainty.
Today, I provide healthcare navigation and patient advocacy services through PAoSWFL, supporting individuals and care partners as they make difficult medical decisions, communicate effectively with providers, and move forward with greater understanding and confidence.

I always look forward to learning from and connecting with each of you.
www.patientadvocatesofswfl.com

CarolAnne, we're so glad you're here!!! We would love you to jump into the medical guidance channel, and start a conversation about what it's like to be a healthcare leader turned patient turned advocates. Encourage others who have followed a similar path to join the discussion.

Welcome. I hope to meet someday, at an event perhaps. Best wishes.

Hi all! I'm Karen Silber, founder of KTS Advocacy. I'm located in Greater Cincinnati and can service people in other states. I'm celebrating my 4th year in business. Besides supporting individuals, I also support employees in the workplace as an employee benefit. My specialty is helping with insurance issues include long term care claims and medical debt resolution, but also work with those needing care management.

Feel free to reach out!
karen@ktsadvocacy.com
ktsadvocacy.com

Karen, WELCOME!!!

We would LOVE you to pop into the 'insurance and billing' space, and talk about the advocacy you provide through employer plans, or any other insurance topic that might build conversation among our insurance focused advocates!

Welcome aboard. You have great credentials. Best wishes to you!

Hello! I am Martine Brousse, a billing manager for physicians for 2 decades before turning to the side of patients a dozen years ago. I specialize in the financial, billing, reimbursement side of things. I help clients lower, manage or settle medical bills & bring resolution to all types of insurance-related issues. My experience covers every level of the process: coding charges, getting authorizations, fighting insurers, appealing up to State and Federal levels. I also am a Certified Mediator. Training AI systems for 2 bill-analyzing start-up platforms has given me a glimpse on how to address insurances' AI pathways to better advantage. And taught me the value of patience…

Martine, that's a FASCINATING topic. I'd really LOVE to hear more about your work with AI for bill analyzing startups.

A) would this be a topic you'd talk about on our podcast?
B) I would LOVE you to start a conversation about what you've learned about insurance AI pathways in our «Insurance & Billing» space.

Hi everyone! I’m Rebecca, and I’m really glad to be here. I’m a physician assistant, and my work has focused on supporting individuals and families navigating Ehlers-Danlos syndromes (EDS), hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD), and related complex chronic conditions.

I first became involved in this space through my work with the EDS Society—supporting patients and families via the Helpline, support groups, and other education and advocacy programs—which led me to the work I do now.

I currently provide EduCoaching through Bendy Bodies, helping people better understand their care, navigate medical systems, and feel more confident advocating for themselves.

I’m looking forward to learning from this group and connecting with all of you!

Hi,

I'm Marilyn Kier, a BCPA located in Wheeling, IL. I'm new here and have just submitted my profile.

My business is Holistic Patient Advocates, LLC. I'm eager to connect with other advocates and look forward to working together to strengthen public awareness about the benefits of independent patient advocacy.

Hi everyone, I’m Mary-Anne Schelb, founder of Intentional Calm. I offer life coaching grounded in the Intentional Calm Method, helping individuals and loved ones reduce stress, calm overwhelm, build resilience, and create more balance during challenging seasons of life. I’m grateful to be here and look forward to connecting with others who are passionate about supporting people with compassion, clarity, and care.

www.intentionalcalm.com/

Hey everyone! My name is Marlee Nelson LM, CPM, MS. I am a midwife advocate. Please consider adding me to your referral list for clients needing support in the perinatal care, fertility, and gynecology spaces.

I currently work with Lauren Wheeler, MD as a subcontractor. Her business is Lost Coast Advocacy, LLC. We are in a rural area (Humboldt County, CA) so also bring that side of things to the table.

I love healthcare but after getting burnt out and watching the treatment many of my patients received from OB/GYNs and other healthcare providers I knew it was time to transition to something else — patient advocacy! I'm happy to be here. Thanks for reading!