Patient Advocate Profile
Learn More About this Valuable Professional
How I Can Help
I help clients and their family members / caregivers tackle the challenges of navigating today’s complex healthcare system by empowering clients to become educated and confident health care consumers. I am client focused, uniquely knowledgeable, and work with clients to ask the right questions, seek good answers, and secure reliable resources.
I am able to help navigate a diagnosis, explore next steps, and research and understand a suggested treatment plan. I can assist with coordination of care and support, securing reliable sources to make informed medical decisions, and can help clients understand medical bills and insurance coverage, including Medicare.
Formal Education
Brandeis University, M.A, 1999
Clark University, B.A. Sociology, 1995
Why I Became a Professional Healthcare Advocate
While enjoying a successful 17-year career as a higher education professional advocating for the needs of students, faculty and staff on college and university campuses, my mother became gravely ill. I experienced first-hand how draining and challenging navigating the intricacies of the health care system can be while actively supporting a loved one experiencing a healthcare crisis. The experience as my family member’s primary health advocate led me to a career change and her calling as a private patient advocate.
Professional Organizations and Affiliations
Patient Advocacy Education/Training:
Board Certification (BCPA), Patient Advocate Certification Board (PACB), April 2018
Professional Certificate in Consumer Health Advocacy, Center for Patient Partnerships, University of Wisconsin-Madison, August 2017
Volunteer Patient Navigator, Jewish Family Service of MetroWest, October 2017 – present
Gerhardt Family Patient Advocate, July 2011 – December 2013
Professional Memberships:
- National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC)
- Alliance of Professional Health Advocates (APHA)
- Massachusetts Healthcare Advocates (MACHA)
- Community Educator, CampaignZERO: Families for Patient Safety
Privacy: In accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended (HIPAA), Greater Chicago Advocates is not a covered entity. To protect yourself from disclosure of protected health information (PHI), please refrain from sending any sensitive health related information via email.
Disclaimer: GCA is not a provider of advocacy services or legal services. The advocates listed in the GCA directory are not employees or agents of GCA. GCA does not control any aspect of any service provided by any of these advocates. The advocates listed in the GCA directory are not paid by GCA and none of the advocates has paid anything to GCA to be listed in the directory. GCA merely compiled information about these advocates and received permission from each advocate to be listed in the directory.
The GCA website is intended to be a source for information about patient advocacy and those who provide advocacy services. While GCA strives to provide users with accurate credentials for the service providers featured on the website, GCA does not endorse or warrant the competence of any advocates listed on the site. The information on this website is not, nor is it intended to be, medical or legal advice. The information on this website is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or in any way replace medical advice from your physician. Use of the GCA website indicates your understanding and acceptance of these terms and conditions.
