Why You Need a Patient Advocate: Lisa Berry Blackstock on Taking Control of Your Care

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Beyond My Diagnosis, I talk with Lisa Berry Blackstock, Independent Patient Advocate, educator, and founder of Soul Sherpa Healthcare Advocacy Services. Lisa has dedicated her career to helping patients and families make sense of complicated medical systems while maintaining compassion, dignity, and choice.We talk about why patient advocacy is vital in today’s healthcare landscape, how trust and communication can transform outcomes, and what it really means to put patients first. Lisa shares her insights from decades of navigating hospitals, insurance systems, and end-of-life care while teaching others how to speak up and stay informed.You will learn how to: • Recognize when and how to bring a patient advocate into your healthcare journey • Ask the right questions to build confidence with your care team • Navigate the healthcare system with clarity and compassion • Understand end-of-life options and palliative care from a patient-first perspective • Access trusted tools like Lisa’s educational program Patients FirstLisa Berry Blackstock is an Independent Patient Advocate, author, and educator with more than three decades of experience guiding individuals and families through complex healthcare systems. She is the founder and owner of Soul Sherpa Healthcare Advocacy Services, established in 2008, which has grown into an international practice known for its compassion, integrity, and results-driven guidance.Lisa is a certified hospice and palliative care counselor and an author featured in The Caregivers Advocate, Volume 2. She also created Patients First: Navigating Healthcare in America, an online educational program designed to help patients, caregivers, and advocates gain confidence and control in medical environments.Through her company, Soul Sherpa, Lisa provides clarity and comfort to those navigating serious illness, end-of-life care, or medical uncertainty. Her mission is to empower people to be informed, proactive, and supported at every stage of their healthcare journey.🌐 soulsherpasolutions.com 🌐 soulsherpa.com 🔗 LinkedIn: Lisa Berry Blackstock 🎓 Patients First Program