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

In this episode of Patient Advocacy Now, we sit down with Teri Frykenberg, a nationally recognized leader in patient advocacy and patient safety. With a background as an ICU nurse, a three-time author, a newspaper columnist, and a serial entrepreneur in the patient advocacy space, Teri brings a wealth of experience and insight into the evolving challenges of healthcare.

Teri shares her personal journey into patient advocacy, which began with a near-tragic medical emergency involving her own family. She explains how her frustration with hospital bureaucracy and mismanagement led her to leave nursing and start her own advocacy company, despite having no formal business background. She also addresses the growing demand for advocacy services through her training programs at NurseAdvocateEntrepreneur.com

If you're a nurse or doctor considering a shift into patient advocacy, or if you're interested in how to navigate the healthcare system more effectively, this episode is packed with invaluable insights from one of the foremost experts in the field.

In this thought-provoking episode of Patient Advocacy Now, we sit down with Nancy Ruffner, a trailblazer in patient advocacy and a passionate advocate for solo agers. Nancy shares her inspiring journey from social work to private patient advocacy, reflecting on how personal caregiving experiences shaped her mission to guide others through the complex healthcare system.

With a sharp focus on aging without traditional caregivers, Nancy unpacks critical issues like medical missteps, legal planning, financial readiness, and the need for stronger community support. Along the way, she offers insights into the evolving role of technology, the challenges of navigating elder care, and the creative solutions that empower solo agers to thrive.

Nancy Ruffner is a leader when it comes to advocating for and teaching about the needs of Solo Agers. As a professional with an intense and in-depth background about the needs of Aging Orphans, Nancy’s work involves incredible ethics and loyalty to her clients. Whether you're facing your own healthcare challenges or seeking to understand the broader implications of solo aging, Nancy’s wisdom and actionable advice make this episode a must-listen.