In this compelling interview, Kayla Thompson-Riviere, RN and Board Certified Patient Advocate, shares her journey from burned-out ICU nurse to the first and only independent advocate on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Confronted with the confusion surrounding the term "patient advocate"—often associated with hospital employees or free services—Kayla rebranded herself as a personal medical strategist. The new title not only clarifies her role but also subtly signals a paid, professional service. With deep roots in critical care, Kayla explains how her strategic, pattern-based approach to advocacy helps clients who are undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or dismissed by their medical teams. Her Medical Roadmap service includes a 90-minute intake session, a written action plan, and a follow-up call—all for a flat fee—bringing much-needed clarity and predictability to a broken, opaque healthcare system.

Kayla also speaks candidly about the personal heartbreak that pushed her toward advocacy: the traumatic loss of her daughter due to medical mismanagement during pregnancy. That experience became the fire behind Heard for Life, her advocacy practice whose acronym stands for Health Empowerment through Advocacy for Patients’ Rights and Dignities. Rather than focus solely on “done-for-you” services, Kayla leans into a “done-with-you” model that empowers blue-collar, DIY-minded patients to take action with strategic support. From offering flexible follow-up plans to partnering with billing advocates, she has created a scalable, transparent, and highly personalized care model that resonates with clients and fills a major gap in healthcare.

***Resources & Links Mentioned
www.heardforlife.com
www.heardforlife.com/guide

***Advocacy Services & Frameworks Mentioned
Personal Medical Strategist – Kayla’s professional title reflecting a paid, strategic approach to navigating complex care
Medical Roadmap – A flat-fee service that includes a 90-minute Zoom intake session, written action plan, and follow-up evaluation
Flat Monthly Support – Optional ongoing strategy sessions with additional hourly services available as needed
Flex-Up Hands-On Support – A scalable option for clients who need more direct involvement with tasks like insurance calls
Heard for Life – Stands for Health Empowerment through Advocacy for Patients’ Rights and Dignities

***Free Tools & Downloads
Doctor Appointment Strategy Guide – A free two-part resource available at www.heardforlife.com/guide that includes a downloadable PDF and a bonus strategy call with Kayla

***Business & Marketing Insights
Kayla transitioned away from the term “independent patient advocate” due to public confusion and opted for “personal medical strategist” to better communicate her role and pricing
Her core client base includes people who are undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or feeling abandoned by the system—what she calls “medical misfits”
Her model is designed to empower rather than enable, and her transparent flat-fee structure builds trust while offering flexibility based on each client’s needs