Dear ,

Maybe it’s because this is my birthday month but I am focused on being INSPIRED. I am keeping my eyes open to the world of possibilities instead of being tied down to the realities of what is happening today in the world.

I recently found a podcast with legendary Harvard Scientist Ellen Langer on the subject of the science of reversing aging. Although I don’t often listen to podcasts, this one was almost two hours and I had a lot of time in my car. I was mesmerized by her ideas and stories of how people changed their physicality by changing their mindset.

For instance, in one story, she discussed research on wound healing. I guess wounds heal in a specific time-frame. In an experiment where scientist changed what they told patients in terms of the amount of time that had passed, the patients wounds healed according to what the patients perception of time was, not the actual amount of time. 

When I was listening to the podcast and many stories, it reminded me the mindset for ANYTHING is so important and a fixed mindset can be deadly, especially when facing difficult diagnoses and navigation of your health. 

The health advocate’s role is so important, not only in helping patients figure out what care they want (or don’t), but also what the possibilities can be. It is easy for patients to get bogged down when facing a difficult diagnosis. Health advocates can help in many ways including seeing a more positive path forward.

Please consider listening to the podcast:  

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mighty-pursuit-podcast/id1731757202?i=1000715160273

Let me know what you think of it – are you similarly inspired? Does it make you think about things in your life differently? 

Also, if you support HealthAdvocateX and health advocacy, consider a donation to my Facebook Fundraiser: 

https://www.facebook.com/donate/2169417006913045/

Thanks for your support and here’s wishing you good health, 

Robin and the Team at HealthAdvocateX 



Upcoming Events

August 11 – Community Conversation: The Disease of Addiction: Confronting Stigma, Trends, and Paths to Recovery

REGISTER HERE

When: August 11, 2025 | 11am-12pm (PT)

Where: Online via Zoom

Cost: FREE to Attend. Add 1.0 BCPA CE Credit for $10 for Members or $30 for Non-Members.

Join us to discuss how stigma and stereotype affect treatment for substance use disorders. You will hear about key case management strategies and treatment plans that are helping individuals move towards a successful recovery journey. Key innovative grassroots advocacy initiatives and community education forums will be featured.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify current opioid overdose trends including the impact of synthetic opioids and social determinants of health causing deaths
2. Learn how stereotypes and stigma affect the treatment of the disease of substance use disorder.
3. List case management treatment strategies and new innovative programs to assist individuals in their journey to recovery.

About The Speaker:

Sheilah McGlone, RN, CCM, is highly regarded within the case management profession.  She has over 30 years of experience in commercial and government programs, primarily supporting underserved populations. Within her 21 years as the Director of Care Management (CM) at Hudson Health Plan/MVP she participated in the creation of an award winning “feet to the street” program comprised of health care professionals to help improve outcomes of the most complex patients. She has co-authored published articles and participated in several CMSA presentations related to CM and was the winner of the esteemed National CMSA Award of Service Excellence. She is currently an independent expert CM trainer focusing on the disease of addiction.



August 21 – Case Review: Dignity Denied: Systemic Bias and Family Strain in End-of-Life Care

REGISTER HERE

When: August 21, 2025 | 4 - 5:30 pm (PT)

Where: Online via Zoom

Cost: FREE to HealthAdvocateX Professional Members to attend. $15 for HealthAdvocateX Professional Members earning CE Credit; $40 for Professional Non-Members earning credit

This case presentation explores the complex end-of-life care journey of a 31-year-old woman with alcohol-induced liver failure. It highlights the interplay of systemic bias, complex family dynamics, and moral distress among providers, and how that created barriers to patient-centered decision-making. The discussion will examine the difficulty of aligning aggressive treatment with poor prognosis, the emotional burden on family caregivers, and missed opportunities for earlier integration of palliative care. Emphasis will be placed on ethical dilemmas, interdisciplinary strain, and strategies for fostering trust and communication in high-conflict family systems.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the ethical and clinical challenges in determining appropriate care pathways for young adults with substance use-related end-stage organ failure.
2. Analyze how complex family dynamics and mistrust of healthcare providers influence end-of-life decision-making and delay transitions to comfort-focused care.
3. Demonstrate effective strategies to engage interdisciplinary teams in initiating values-based care planning when palliative and hospice services are initially declined or resisted.

About The Speaker:

Jenny Adamo serves as Lead Lifespan Navigator at Banister Advisors, where she has worked since Fall 2021. With over 20 years of experience in social work, Jenny brings deep expertise in elder care and planning, end-of-life experiences, complex medical navigation, mental health, trauma, substance use, adoption and foster care, school and early childhood systems, and military life transitions. She is known for her ability to guide individuals and families through high-stakes, emotionally charged situations with clarity, compassion, and a strong systems approach.



Jenny holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California, with a concentration in Mental Health and a sub-concentration in Geriatrics, and a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Human Development with a concentration in Child Development from California State University, Northridge. She is credentialed as an Advanced Care Planner, a Board Certified Patient Advocate, and a certified End-of-Life Doula. Originally from Southern California, Jenny spent 13 years moving across the country with her family and feels deeply connected to communities nationwide.



IN CASE YOU MISSED IT – FABULOUS CONTENT STILL AVAILABLE THROUGH OUR ON-DEMAND/ CLASSROOM 

Hearing Loss and Tinnitus: How to talk to patients about improving their quality of life

ACCESS HERE

Join us for an informative presentation on the impact of undiagnosed and untreated hearing loss and tinnitus. Attendees will gain insights into how these conditions affect patients and learn effective strategies for guiding individuals toward appropriate care and treatment. The presentation will also cover available treatment options for both hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as how to identify trusted resources and providers.

Learning Objectives:

1. Discover the hidden impact of untreated hearing loss—and why it matters.
2. Explore three effective treatment options for managing tinnitus.
3. Gain confident, compassionate language advocates can use to encourage patients that are hesitant about seeking hearing help

Partner Spotlight: Banister Advisors

This month, we're pleased to highlight our Partner Member, Lifespan Navigation® Services from Banister Advisors

When complex, high-stress or high-stakes situations arise, Banister Advisors can act as your guide and strategic partner in navigating difficult decisions and time-sensitive challenges.



Their services pair strategic case management and complex issue resolution skills with compassionate support to help individuals and families manage what’s urgent now, and plan for what’s next.

Common Situations Banister Can Help With:

• Unexpected Life Disruptions | A sudden diagnosis, accident or substance-use issue affecting you or close family derails the day-to-day. We can help clarify options, set priorities, navigate systems, to move forward with confidence, direction & support.
• Bereavement, Loss & End-of-life | Navigating illness & loss can be arduous. We can support anticipatory grief, decline of a loved one, end-of-life planning, care coordination, transitions, family dynamics, memorial plans & non-legal estate logistics.
• Aging Parents & Shifting Family Needs | Supporting aging parents while balancing life can overwhelm. We assist with care planning, Medicare & Medicaid, family alignment, & transitions.
• Parenting & Child Mental Wellness | Decisions & challenges can feel insurmountable. We support all stages, so you aren’t stuck figuring it out alone—including fertility, co-parenting, advocating, behavioral, school systems, IEPs & assessments.

What to Expect: 

• Wraparound emotional & logistical support to help process, prioritize, then manage urgent situations and critical decisions with confidence.
• Non-judgmental guidance & advocacy that identifies and centers your priorities and goals.
• Expert assistance navigating complex systems such as medical and mental health, social and governmental services, and legal, educational, and financial institutions.
• Concierge vetting of suitable providers across fields and specialties for fit, qualifications, emotional intelligence, values-alignment, and accessibility.

Begin with a no-cost conversation to share your situation. 

Your Navigator will help set priorities, outline options, and you will be supported every step of the way. 

hello.banisteradvisors.com

Other Events You Might Enjoy

HEALTH ADVOCATE SEPTEMBER CONFERENCE Announcements

📍 Las Vegas, NV | 📅 September 2-5, 2025 | 🏨 Caesars Palace 

More Info Here

Hotel Room Block Closes August 8 – Reserve Now!

Planning to attend the Summit, September 2–5, 2025? The official hotel room block closes on August 8, 2025, and rooms are filling quickly. Stay just steps from the action, with accommodations located directly above the meeting space. Book your room soon to take advantage of the convenience!

OUR COMMITMENT

Approved by the Board September 21, 2022

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) Statement

Our mission is to help people transform into active participants and partners in their own health care. To make this possible, we must advocate for inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) for all individuals.

We recognize that:

• Racism is a public health issue that impacts various intersections and communities differently.
• Each person is unique and therefore experiences health care differently.
• Every individual deserves health advocacy regardless of their race, ethnicity, language, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, spiritual practice, financial status, education, geography, disability, mental and physical status, age, weight, substance use disorder or other factors. 
• Our organization is uniquely positioned to raise awareness on IDEA in health and health care.

We are committed to:

• Raising awareness about the importance of IDEA in health and health advocacy in all aspects of care.
• Expanding diverse representation within our organization, expert presenters, and educational offerings.
• Intentionally messaging our values, sharing IDEA expectations for ourselves, affiliated advocates, and partnering groups.
• Creating space for respectful dialogue about representation, equitable access, and inclusive practices in health care and health advocacy.
• Educating our community and participating in opportunities about IDEA events and exercises to keep these issues in the forefront of our work.
• Implementing systems to ensure IDEA is pervasive in our organization.

We will reflect on our accomplishments with humility and grace. We will recognize our limitations and remain open to what we may not see or realize so that we can improve and or repair any harm. 



HealthAdvocate^X is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. We acknowledge that we are on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish, Suquamish, Stillaguamish, and Muckleshoot People past and present, and honor with gratitude the land itself and each tribe. We invite you to join us in acknowledging and thanking indigenous people for their ongoing stewardship wherever you are located.

Land Acknowledgement Challenge

Will you help us? We invite YOU to research and submit the name of the people, your location and how you would word your own personal land acknowledgement. Our Board will be selecting and reading land acknowledgements from across the country at our Monthly Board Meetings. You can submit it here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/hadvx-land-acknowledgement