Dear HealthAdvocateX Community,

I am not, by nature, an anxious person but I have found that in recent years my awareness of my own anxiety and the anxiety of people I love has soared through the roof. Maybe it was spurred on by the Pandemic, when information was scant and the stakes couldn’t have been higher – our lives were in danger and the information we had to understand what was happening AND take action was sparse. 

That is why I am thrilled that HealthAdvocateX is offering a live, virtual screening of the Movie ANGST, a movie designed to raise awareness about the prevalence and impact of anxiety in our society and how it relates to medical care. 

The movie is a little less than an hour and our panel discussion will put into context why we feel anxious, how to recognize our anxiety and useful tips and tools for addressing this very common human condition! We will also explore anxiety in the context of navigating medical care and specific strategies to address those feelings. 

We have just 100 tickets and hope you can join us, contribute to the conversation and support the work of HealthAdvocateX. 

For more information or to register, visit: https://healthadvocatex.org/events/angst-movie-screening/

Here’s wishing you good health,

Robin Shapiro and the Team at HealthAdvocateX 

Upcoming Events

March 10 – Community Conversation: Personal Care Homes – What are they and why they can be a great choice for some individuals 

REGISTER HERE

When: Mar 10, 2025 | 11am – 12pm (PT)

Where: Online via Zoom (Register Here)

Cost: FREE! Also available for 1.0 BCPA CE

Discover the value of personal care homes and how they provide a unique, supportive environment for individuals needing assistance with daily living. Join us for an insightful discussion on what personal care homes are and why they can be an excellent choice for some individuals. Whether you’re a caregiver, a family member, or someone exploring care options for yourself, this session will provide valuable insights to help you make informed decisions.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand what personal care homes are and how they operate.
2. Learn how personal care homes compare to other long-term care options.
3. Gain insights into affordability and accessibility of personal care homes.

About The Speaker:

Mitzie Watson Owner, RN, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)

Mitzie has more than 30 years of experience as a Registered Nurse, with most of her career primarily in maternal child health. Several years ago, she redirected her career to care for her mother who was diagnosed with cognitive impairment. After ten years as her caregiver, she lost her mother to Alzheimer’s. She has given back to others by serving as a community educator through the Alzheimer’s Association, as well as a community educator for Dementia Live. Mitzie has been the owner of Assisted Living Locators West Dallas and Mid-Cities for the last seven years, which is part of the nationwide Assisted Living Locators franchise. She provides hands-on assistance for families, social workers, and case managers searching for the best senior living options for seniors who need a higher level of care. She is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA®), Certified in Dementia Care (CDC®), is a Certified Placement and Referral Specialist (CPRS), and serves as secretary on the board of the National Placement and Referral Alliance.

March 18 – Case Review – Tailored Home Care: Meeting Diverse Needs Under One Roof

REGISTER HERE

When: Mar 18, 2025 | 4-5:30 pm (PT)

Where: Online via Zoom (Register Here)

Cost: FREE for HealthAdvocateX Members to Attend. Add 1.0 BCPA CE Credit for $15 for Members and $40 for Non-Members.

Attendees will learn about the hurdles and challenges when navigating in home care for clients with Chronic Illness and Special needs.

Learning Objectives: 

1. Recognizing Diverse Client Needs – Successfully assessed and balanced the unique care requirements of multiple clients within the same home while ensuring personalized support for each individual.
2. Creating Effective Care Plans – Developed and implemented customized home care strategies tailored to clients’ medical, emotional, and daily living needs, enhancing their overall well-being.
3. Managing Family and Caregiver Relationships – Navigated complex family dynamics and facilitated clear communication among clients, caregivers, and family members to foster a supportive care environment.
4. Championing Client-Centered Advocacy – Advocated for equitable, high-quality care that honored each client’s independence, preferences, and dignity, ensuring their voices were heard and respected.

About The Speaker:

Deidra A. Kindred RN, BSN, LNC, CCM, BCPA



Deidra Kindred, a Texas Woman’s University nursing graduate of 2001, brings over 15 years of expertise in Cardiovascular Intensive Care and a rich background as a former Affordable Assisted Living & Services owner, 5+ years in home health nursing, 3+ years in home care infusion nursing, and 3 years as a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant. Today, she proudly owns and leads Your Health Care Nurse Advocates, PLLC. Deidra’s inspiring journey is marked by her dedication to educating individuals and families, empowering them to make informed choices. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is a passionate foodie and avid traveler who cherishes moments with loved ones.



March 24 – Movie Event: Angst - Virtual Screening with Health Care Leaders Panel

REGISTER HERE

When: Mar 24, 2025 | 4-6 pm (PT)

Where: Online via Zoom 

Cost: $15 to attend, Also available to purchase CE Credit for $25 for Members or $40 for Non-Members

Join HealthAdvocateX for a thought-provoking event featuring the powerful documentary “Angst.” This film delves into the complexities of anxiety, offering insights into its impact and strategies for coping. Following the screening, engage with experts in a dynamic panel discussion exploring mental health, resilience, and community support. Gain valuable perspectives and tools to navigate the challenges of anxiety in today’s world. Don’t miss this opportunity to foster understanding and empowerment in the face of mental health struggles.

Objectives:

1. Understanding the Complexity of Anxiety: The movie provides insights into the multifaceted nature of anxiety, illustrating how it can manifest differently in individuals and impact various aspects of their lives.
2. Destigmatizing Mental Health: By sharing personal stories and experiences, “Angst” helps break down the stigma surrounding mental health issues like anxiety, encouraging open dialogue and empathy.
3. Exploring Coping Strategies: The film explores a range of coping strategies for managing anxiety, from mindfulness techniques to seeking professional help, empowering viewers with practical tools to address their own struggles.
4. Building Supportive Communities: Through its narrative, “Angst” emphasizes the importance of building supportive communities that foster understanding, acceptance, and validation for individuals grappling with anxiety, highlighting the significance of social connections in mental health care.



About The Panelists:

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

Trauma-Informed XCENTER is Now Available On-Demand

REGISTER HERE

XCenter Series November 2024 

Trauma-Informed Care XCenter 5-Session Bundle 

When: Nov 13, 2024 - Nov 12, 2026 | 4pm-5:30pm (PT) 

Where: On-Demand 

Cost: FREE! Also available for 5.0 BCPA CE 

Join us for a deep dive into trauma-informed practices and strategies to enhance your care skills. Learn from experts in the field and connect with like-minded individuals in this virtual gathering. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, therapist, educator, or simply interested in the topic, this event is perfect for anyone looking to expand their knowledge.  

BCPA Type of CE Applying For: 

5.0 Ethics/J.E.D.I. BCPA CE 

This XCenter is FREE to attend for the general public. It is also available for 5.0 BCPA CE for $125 (HealthAdvocateX members) and $200 (non-members). 

Medical Gaslighting: How to Extinguish the Flames as a Health Advocate 



ACCESS HERE



Medical gaslighting is a form of manipulation by healthcare providers in which patients are made to doubt their symptoms, experiences, or feelings. It contributes to delayed diagnosis, medical mistrust and poor outcomes and occurs more commonly among women, racial and ethnic minorities, and other marginalized patient groups. Independent health advocates can play a role in identifying and mitigating medical gaslighting. 

Learning Objectives: 

1) Define and recognize medical gaslighting 

2) Understand the impact of medical gaslighting on patients and families 

3) Utilize a framework for preventing and mitigating medical gaslighting 

Available for 1.0 BCPA CE credit (General) 

About the Speaker

OTHER EVENTS AND INFORMATION WE THINK YOU WILL ENJOY 

Pulse's 2-Day Intensive Advocacy Training and Conference 

A unique opportunity for caregivers, patient advocates and anyone who uses the healthcare system. 

You will learn to navigate the healthcare system for yourself, your friends, and your family, or as a professional patient support person. Plus participants learn about patient safety and the many ways patients and their support teams can be involved in reducing medical errors. 

The Pulse program ‘Family-Centered Patient Advocacy Training for Safer Health Care’ is approved for 8 general, 3 ethics and 3 J.E.D.I. CEs by the Patient Advocate Certification Board to satisfy the requirements for Board Certified Patient Advocates (BCPA). 

Registration and more information is here: https://www.pulsecenterforpatientsafety.org/fcpa

2025 Ken Schueler Seminar: A Deep Dive into Pancreatic Cancer 

The 2025 Ken Schueler Cancer Seminar will explore the latest trends and challenges in pancreatic cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, approximately 1.7% of men and women will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer during their lifetime, based on data from 2018–2021 (excluding 2020 due to COVID-19). Registration and more info is here. 

WHEN: Friday, March 14, 2025 

TIME: 12 PM - 4:30 PM EST | 11 AM - 3:30 PM CST | 9 AM - 1:30 PM PST 

AGENDA: 

1. Pancreatic Cancer Where We Are and What Lies Ahead 
2. The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) is Changing the Story for Pancreatic Cancer 
3. Case Study: Resilience and Ethics for Patients with Pancreatic Cancer 
4. Panel Discussion 

HEALTH ADVOCATE SEPTEMBER CONFERENCE – CALL FOR SPEAKERS 

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

Join The Health Advocate Community for the premier event of the year, where healthcare advocates, market access specialists, field reimbursement teams, patient services experts, advocacy organizations, specialty pharmacies, payers, technology providers, charitable patient assistance programs (CPAP), nonprofits, and change agents come together to collaborate, learn, and drive innovation in healthcare access and advocacy. Currently the conference has a CALL FOR SPEAKERS. For more information or to submit your proposal, go HERE. 

THANK YOU HealthAdvocateX Sponsor - GetCoPayHelp.Com

GetCopayHelp.com is transforming the way patients access high-cost medications, making it faster and more affordable than ever. Founded by a team with years of experience in helping patients manage the high costs of essential treatments, GetCopayHelp operates with a clear mission: cost should never prevent patients from getting the care they need.

While many financial assistance programs exist, patients often aren’t aware of them. Additionally, the volume of paperwork can be overwhelming for patients, advocates, and providers alike. That’s where GetCopayHelp comes in. They’ve developed the industry’s first solution that instantly identifies specific assistance programs tailored to each patient’s insurance and income status, seamlessly handling the enrollment process.

By taking on the complex task of managing prescription financial assistance, GetCopayHelp frees patient advocates to focus on what you do best, providing direct care and guidance.

Visit GetCopayHelp.com to learn more about how to lighten the stress of paperwork while making it easier for your patients to access the medications they need.

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