We were lucky to catch up with Brandi Hornick recently and have shared our conversation below.

Brandi, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

I opened Rise Up Patient Advocacy in 2019 because there is a need for patients and their families to have a voice in our ever changing healthcare system. My family was one of those families who faced the challenges of the healthcare system. My oldest daughter was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at 2 years old and I had to be her voice when I was excused as an over protective parent, paranoid, and told over and over again by several doctors and hospitals that she was fine. She wasn’t and my motherly instinct knew she wasn’t so I fought for her and because I did, someone listened and she was diagnosed with a germ cell yolk sac tumor in her sacrococcygeal area metastasizing up her spine. After surgeries, 4 rounds of 3 different types of chemotherapy, blood transfusions, neupogen shots, physical therapy, hearing loss from the chemo, and pulmonary issues, she survived a cancer that I was told had a 50% chance of survival rate in a 5 year period. She is now 29 years old. At the time I was pregnant with her sister who would also face medical challenges at the age of 8 that took 10 years to diagnose. As a mom, I again faced the same treatment as I navigated the healthcare system and traveled to the best children’s hospitals to get her the help she needed. It took 10 years and many judgements from doctors who instead of helping, made my child and I feel like we were crazy because they didn’t have any answers or a diagnosis. At 18, she was diagnosed with two genetic disorders of hemochromatosis and Ehlers Danlos that caused her pain and many other medical issues. Due to these experiences I decided to go back to school and graduated with a health science degree from Nova Southeastern University. I continued in a nursing program where I participated in clinicals in different specialty areas and over and over again, I watched patients and their families at their most vulnerable times make decisions without being educated appropriately, being dismissed when concerned, witnessing medical errors, unethical practices, and dismissal of autonomy. I knew I had to become an advocate and be the voice for patients and families to receive the education and care needed to reach a correct diagnosis to develop a plan of care to reach a good prognosis. I sat for the patient advocacy certification boards (PACB) to become a board certified patient advocate in 2019, passed and opened Rise Up Patient Advocacy, Inc.

As a patient advocate, I insure the patient is informed, educated, empowered, and supported throughout his or her healthcare journey. Many are not familiar with what patient advocates do, even those in the medical field. I have faced challenges with physicians and healthcare providers who do not understand I am there to help the patient and family just as they are, Collaboration is very important, but it is not always welcomed. You must follow many guidelines to keep the confidentiality of patients protected while gathering the information needed to collaborate with the healthcare team. You also may educate and help the patient navigate the health care system, but not diagnose or treat the patient. Another challenge is that patient advocates are not covered by insurance so the patient and/or family must pay out of pocket for the advocacy services, which can be difficult due to extra expenses for the patient and family.

I would encourage a young professional who would like to become a patient advocate to go to school in a related medical field and gain clinical experience. Once medically trained become an independent advocate, sit for the boards through PACB, become board certified, continue educating oneself through courses and experiences before opening a business as it can be challenging, but rewarding once you advocate for patients and families. It is very important to have a team of specialty physicians to collaborate with and continue to learn the different steps and legalities of the advocacy field. I wouldn’t change anything because I have learned through experiences and education to be the best advocate I can be when others need it most. Rise Up Patient Advocacy is known for rising up and giving you a voice in your time of need.

Brandi, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am Brandi Hornick, BCPA, a Board Certified Patient Advocate who will assist each patient and family in the guidance to make well-informed decisions about their healthcare needs. I have 24 years of experience in advocating for patients in different medical care experiences. My first experience began when my child became very sick and doctors kept sending her home, hospital after hospital missed the diagnosis. I realized if I didn’t advocate for my child, I may lose her. I spent months advocating for my 2-year-old daughter until I received answers. The answer was not what I was prepared for as the doctors told me that my 2-year-old little girl had a rare form of cancer. I knew I had to continue to advocate for her to survive so I did. My second child was born with a two genetic conditions and I also continued to advocate until I found answers for her. It took over 40 doctors and 10 years before my second child was diagnosed with two genetic conditions, but I would not stop until I had answers. As an advocate I guide the patient and family with compassion and understanding as I equip each with the knowledge to be confident in all of their decisions as they navigate their medical needs. Rise Up Patient Advocacy, Inc. will educate, coordinate care between doctors, promote and support patient autonomy, schedule appointments, speak to doctors as needed by the patient or family, accompany patients or families to appointments, procedures, or the hospital. Rise Up Patient Advocacy, Inc. values the importance of each patient while upholding ethical standards and following HIPAA guidelines. Every patient has the right to quality healthcare and I, Brandi Hornick, BCPA with Rise Up Patient Advocacy, Inc. will advocate for the rights of the patient and family. I are changing and saving lives. My compassion comes from my experiences.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Listening to the patients and their families is the most important in succeeding in helping. Having compassion and understanding while they are facing challenges with their health is key to reaching a correct diagnosis, plan of care, and prognosis. Many times they come to me because they have exhausted all options and feel defeated. Once they know they have someone who cares and will. guide them through the healthcare system, they feel relief and gratitude. Simply listening and taking the steps to help gives them someone they can trust so they aren’t scared or frustrated. It is so important to provide each patient with someone they can trust to know their best interests are front and center.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele is having compassion, listening, resolving the patient’s concerns, and building trust. Once a patient and his or her family know I am there to give them a voice, stand in for them to collaborate with the healthcare team and physicians to make a individualized plan based on their needs, they become relieved and are forever grateful for the outcomes. Once they recommend others due to these qualities, I gain trust and more clientele. Physicians and health care teams also become trusting when they realize I am collaborating and helping the patient in a positive way, which eases the stress for them as well. This builds trust with the patient, health care team, and physicians. Trust builds clientele by word of mouth. I am very compassionate about building trust with the patient, family, physicians, and health care team.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://riseuppatientadvocacy.com
• Instagram: riseuppatientadvocacy
• Facebook: Rise Up Patient Advocacy, Inc.

Image Credits

Sydni Shea Photography