Meet this week's featured speaker:

Rebecca Hosey

Dr. Rebecca (Becky) Hosey is a licensed chiropractor, physician assistant, speaker, and writer, with degrees from the University at Albany, New York Chiropractic College, and the Le Moyne College Physician Assistant Program. With many years of unique clinical experience, her expertise is in the fields of pain medicine and psychiatry. A life-long learner, Becky has a strong passion for education and has held several academic positions, including Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine.

Becky was diagnosed with Sjögren’s Disease in 2015, and stage four endometriosis in 2021 after years of undiagnosed and severe symptoms. She began sharing her story to inspire others, and is currently writing a memoir documenting her experiences and advocating for patients with chronic illnesses. Becky is a regular speaker in the general public and medical community, and her work is centered around empowering patients to advocate for themselves. In her work with medical professionals, she focuses on the importance of leading with empathy, and on the vulnerability of the patient experience, which can be easily overlooked in the current medical model.

Speaking Topics

Patient Advocacy

Rebecca has appeared on numerous podcasts, news interviews, and has partnered with several autoimmune organizations to share her story. Becky has also been the keynote speaker at various events. She has many published articles, and is a regular blog writer. Becky is the recipient of the 2024 Autoimmune Advocacy Leadership Award (the Autoimmune Association) which was presented during a reception in Washington D.C. She has participated in healthcare reform lobbying while in the Capitol, and during New York State Legislative meetings.

Medical Ableism

There has never been a more dire time for the reimagining of disease, especially in light of the growing population suffering from chronic illness and disability. With infrequent discussions occurring in medicine and society, Becky educates and empowers audience members on health related prejudices, and how to eliminate these detriments.

Oh, The Medical Humanity …

An engaging presentation for medical professionals and students alike. Audience members join Becky on a journey through her personal medical mystery to ultimate diagnosis, followed by a discussion of medical humanities and the importance of incorporating these concepts into to everyday practice in order to understand the vulnerable patient perspective.

The Stigma of Health Provider Sickness

A rarely discussed and little-known phenomenon of the unique stigma a medical provider experiences when chronically ill. Becky candidly shares her own personal struggles, as well as uncovering the unwritten truth in modern medicine that healthcare providers are expected to remain healthy, or suffer the consequences of failure.

Self-Advocating on Your Health Journey

An informative talk for attendees to learn about the importance of self-advocating while navigating medicine. Audience members will discover that healthcare is a consumer based industry, with no greater service more important than their own well-being. Participants will learn to get the most out of their health visits, and how to become empowered patients.

BOOK REBECCA

Becky's Upcoming Title

Becky is currently completing a manuscript titled, Girl on a Gurney: Trading My White Coat for a Hospital Gown. She meets readers from both sides of the gurney, as healthcare professional and patient.

This work reveals a unique perspective of an unwell medical provider struggling to navigate a convoluted health system. It contains aspects of memoir, health education, self-improvement, advocacy, empowerment, and much more.

You can read some of her published work here.