When facing a problem, most people assemble information, data, and facts to work on a solution. Today, the world is dealing with a new virus that is contagious, can be spread by droplets and can cause people harm, especially the very young, the elderly and those who...
Each year around this time, my friends from Quota International of Planation Fl come together to celebrate our birthdays. This year we met on February 23, 2020, for brunch. One of our members, Constance Kalish, takes a moment to welcome us and shares her story of why...
Over the past few weeks, I have written various posts on the experiences I have had with people whom I am working with as a Nurse Advocate. Each person came with unique issues related to their health. One patient had a suspected deep vein thrombosis, one was...
In a recent doctor’s appointment with a client, I learned her liver enzymes were elevated. The doctor seeing her is a hematologist. He ordered a few tests as the client’s chief complaint was extreme fatigue. Once the labs were back, he looked over her...
In the HMO world, referrals and authorizations are intertwined. Last week, my husband saw his primary doctor in follow up for treatment for a DVT. In the previous visit, the primary care doctor mentioned that he might need to see a cardiovascular surgeon. In...
Last week, I shared a post titled: It Takes A Village: Working Together With Your Healthcare Team. In this post, I shared information on key members of your healthcare team who are in place to work with to help you understand your diagnosis, the treatment plan and the...
If we want a healthcare system that works, it is important that each person who enters the healthcare system be an active member of their team. In this post, I highlight five key members of the healthcare team in place to help people navigate through the complex...
For most of us writing a book is an act of love and a way to share information that we are passionate about. Three years ago, a friend told me about a mutual colleague who was starting a project to educate young adults (grade eight through high school) about careers...
Happy New Year! As we bring in the New Year, I wish you and your families have a happy, healthy, and productive year. I love this time of the year as it gives us all a new start, a clean slate if you will. It is a time that we open a new calendar, a new journal, and...
I wanted to send a short note to wish you and your families a happy and safe holiday. Take time from the hustle and bustle to hit the Pause Button so you can stop and take in the true meaning of the season! I will be back on 12/30 with a new post! ...
Each year at this time, I write what I call my year in review. This exercise allows me to see what I did over the year and how I can improve as I move into the new year. I share this information with readers and followers so you can see the Big Picture around Nurse...
As we move into the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I wanted to share ideas on how we can think ‘outside the box’ when deciding on gifts for family and friends. It is so easy to get drawn into the chaos of the holiday, so I hope this post will...
Next week on November 24th, I will recognize five years since I was diagnosed with a Brain Tumor. That day changed my life and turned my world upside down. I learned a great deal from the experience, and it helped me to refocus my life and career. I am grateful to so...
Family caregivers are the unsung heroes of the healthcare system. Studies show that about 44 million Americans provide 37 billion hours of unpaid, “informal” care each year for adult family members and friends with chronic illnesses or conditions that...
This week I had a good experience while visiting a hematologist with a patient. Here is the story. Mary is a 94-year-old female who was in excellent health until she expeiened a Myocardial Infarction a few months ago. Recently, she has been having trouble maintaining...
One of the most important things I learned to do as a nurse, case manager, and a patient advocate leader was to understand the importance of networking. I think networking came naturally to me as I am a curious person by nature. I recall as a little girl talking to...
Recently, I went to a doctor’s appointment with a friend. She was seeing a pulmonologist for a lesion on her right lung. She had already had a mass removed from her right lung 2 years ago, so when this new lesion came up, she was scared and wanted someone with...
A few weeks ago, I recorded a vlog titled: Becoming Your Best Advocate. The recording gave tips that people could use to navigate the complex world of healthcare. In this post, I wanted to share another tip that can help improve communication, allow you to understand...
