A Little About Me

I have been a nurse for more than 30 years, and I have always believed that my role is to advocate for my patients and clients. Helping and guiding people has been part of who I am since I can remember. As a young girl I assisted my blind grandmother with many of the challenges she faced. A career in nursing was a natural progression that has allowed me to work in a variety of settings, including pediatrics, geriatrics, home health, emergency room and more. This background has led me to become a health advocate full time and to form an organization that can assist patients and their families with almost any health challenge.

Having witnessed both excellent and subpar care, I have developed a lifelong passion for ensuring that all patients receive the best care possible and are fully educated about their options. When an individual or their family member is faced with a medical issue, it is difficult to remain objective, regardless of their background. Having the peace of mind of knowing that an expert will assist with expediting appointments, problem solving difficult medical situations and interpreting treatment options is a great relief to our clients.

I believe that everyone should have a health advocate, because at some point they or their family member will be faced with accessing the health care system. You can call your attorney for advice; and you can call your mechanic when you have a problem with your car. Why not have a personal health advocate that you can contact at any time with a question about how to navigate the medical system? Health Advocates do not provide hands on care, or in any way replace the advice of a physician. Instead, Heath advocates provide you with information and direction that will assist in making decisions related to the health of you or your family member. We are an integral part of the health care team and will coordinate with the many people involved to assure that you receive the best possible care.

My goal is to make this blog a friendly place for information and stories about health advocacy. Next, I’ll let Patti tell you about herself!

-Michelle

Heartwood Health – Private Health Advocate Services

Welcome to our inaugural blog post! At Heartwood Health, our mission is to empower our clients to make informed health care decisions through advocacy and education, and support individuals facing health challenges. We hope that this blog will become a useful resource for you in your travels through the health care system.

These days, the health care system can be a vast, and sometimes intimidating, place. By adding our voice to the mix, we’ll strive to become a source you can depend on for the latest news and opinions in this emerging field.

Patient advocate organizations are popping up all over the country. Some offer a specific expertise, while others provide only phone advice. At Heartwood Health we are building a team of professionals of varying expertise, so we are able to provide assistance in any situation. We have specialists in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, health insurance, and more. If we can’t meet your needs we will refer you to someone who can. And since every situation is unique, Heartwood Health will tailor a plan unique to your needs. We believe that everyone should have a private patient advocate to assure the best possible outcome when navigating the healthcare maze. If you are facing elective surgery, dealing with a chronic condition, or helping an aging parent, our experts will support you.

Patti and I have over 35 years of combined hands-on healthcare experience. We’ll tell you more about ourselves soon, but until then, have a look around our site and let us know what you think! And check back here often as this blog grows into another resource for you.