Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marly Brodsky. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Marly, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

The defining moment in my professional career came when my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer and passed away just three months later.

At the time, I had over a decade of experience in healthcare, but nothing could have prepared me for the emotional rollercoaster of navigating the system as a family member instead of a professional. Despite all my knowledge, I found it overwhelming to coordinate care, ask the right questions, and ensure she was truly being heard. That experience shattered the illusion that information and access alone were enough. I realized that even the most educated, resourceful people struggle when it comes to managing complex healthcare journeys—especially during a crisis.

That moment changed everything for me. It sparked a fire that eventually led me to leave my executive role and start MedCompanion, a company built to be the guide I wish we had. We provide real-time, virtual support during medical appointments, ask the questions patients forget, and help families truly understand what’s happening so they can make informed decisions with confidence.

What started as a direct-to-consumer service quickly grew into something larger. Health systems began reaching out to us because they saw the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce readmissions—especially for patients with chronic conditions. Today, MedCompanion also partners with clinics, hospitals, and providers to support their chronic care management initiatives, helping them keep patients engaged, informed, and on track with their care plans. We fill a critical gap between visits, acting as a bridge between patients and providers.

The biggest lesson I learned is that the healthcare system wasn’t designed for humans—it was designed for processes. So now, I build things that put people first.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi! I’m Marly Brodsky—mom, healthcare strategist, and founder & CEO of MedCompanion. I’m raising a family while building a company from the ground up, and let me tell you: both require heart, grit, and a whole lot of faith. Becoming a mom changed how I saw everything—especially healthcare. It’s no longer just a system I work within; it’s something deeply personal. And balancing the emotional weight of caregiving with the responsibility of entrepreneurship has shaped every part of how I lead today.

I started my career in public health and healthcare strategy, working behind the scenes in hospitals and health systems for over 15 years. I’ve worn many hats—executive, educator, patient advocate—but I never expected the most defining shift would come from something so personal.

My grandmother’s sudden cancer diagnosis and passing within three months rocked me to my core. Even with all my professional knowledge, navigating her care was confusing, frustrating, and isolating. That experience opened my eyes to how overwhelming the healthcare system can be for anyone—especially during a health crisis. It’s not enough to have access to care; you need support through the care. That realization sparked the birth of MedCompanion.

MedCompanion is a personalized health service designed to support people during their doctor visits and beyond. We offer virtual appointment support, take notes, ask key questions on the client’s behalf, and create easy-to-understand care summaries so nothing gets missed. Think of us as a compassionate, knowledgeable guide sitting in on your medical visits—ensuring you’re truly seen, heard, and empowered. The best part is that all of this is done through our personalized and secure app. Think of it as having a medical advocate in your pocket 24/7.

What started as a direct-to-consumer service quickly grew into something larger. Health systems began reaching out to us because they saw the potential to improve patient outcomes and reduce readmissions—especially for patients with chronic conditions. Today, MedCompanion also partners with clinics, hospitals, and providers to support their chronic care management initiatives, helping them keep patients engaged, informed, and on track with their care plans. Our services are covered by Medicare for eligible patients, and we also offer concierge-level support for busy professionals and caregivers through our direct-to-consumer model.

What I’m most proud of is the transformation I see in our clients—from feeling anxious and lost to confident and in control of their health decisions. I’m also proud to be a Latina founder in healthcare tech, bringing a diverse perspective and deep empathy into an industry that often forgets the individual behind the chart.

If you’re reading this and feel overwhelmed by healthcare, you’re not alone. Whether you’re managing chronic conditions, supporting aging parents, or just trying to stay on top of your own health—we’re here to help. Because your health matters. And so does the way you experience it.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Resilience isn’t something I read about in books—it’s something I’ve lived.

At just 12 years old, I experienced homelessness. That chapter of my life taught me how to be resourceful in a way most people will never understand. I learned how to think on my feet, navigate adult situations far too early, and keep moving forward even when nothing felt certain. Those early experiences shaped the way I see the world and gave me a fire that still fuels me today as an entrepreneur. When you grow up having to figure things out without a safety net, you build a level of grit and determination that can’t be taught.

Later in life, while I was in college, I was diagnosed with a brain tumor. At the time, I had a full scholarship and a dream of becoming a doctor. I was told I should withdraw from school to undergo treatment, but something in me said keep going. I didn’t want to lose my shot at a better life, so I pushed through—juggling appointments, pain, and pressure—while trying to maintain my grades.

That choice to stay in school came at a cost. My GPA took a hit, and ultimately, I wasn’t accepted into medical school. At the time, it felt like the door to my dream had slammed shut. But now, I see it differently: being rejected from medical school was one of the best things that ever happened to me. It forced me to look beyond the traditional path and ask myself what kind of impact I really wanted to make.

And that’s how I found my way to public health, healthcare strategy, and eventually founding MedCompanion—a company born from lived experience and fueled by empathy, resourcefulness, and resilience. Every setback, every closed door, every detour prepared me to build something that’s changing lives in a completely different, and I believe more powerful, way.

I may not have become a doctor in the traditional sense, but I became the person I was meant to be. And now I get to help others navigate their own healthcare journeys—not just with information, but with real, human support.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Building my reputation within the healthcare space didn’t happen overnight—it was something I earned through years of work, expertise, and perseverance.

Before founding MedCompanion, I spent over 15 years in healthcare, earning my certification as a Nationally Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) and working as an executive for the largest medical scribe company in the country. In that role, I not only led strategy and operations, but also helped shape the way clinical workflows were supported. I was one of the first people to implement medical scribes in outpatient clinical settings—a bold move at the time that pushed the boundaries of what was “normal” in healthcare. That work helped build my credibility and gave me a deep understanding of how healthcare functions both on paper and in real life.

But stepping out as a disruptor with a brand-new model like MedCompanion? That was a whole different challenge.

When I launched MedCompanion, we were offering something completely new: real-time virtual support during medical appointments. We were simplifying something that many people believed had to be complicated. And because people couldn’t wrap their heads around how we could provide so much support with such empathy and precision, we were met with skepticism.

I remember people leaving comments on our website and social media saying we were “too good to be true,” and even calling us a scam. It crushed me. My heart was in this work, and yet, the message wasn’t being received the way it was intended. For a moment, I let that fear get to me—and I did what a lot of people would do in that moment of discouragement: I shut it all down. I took the website offline. I paused our social media. I needed to regroup.

But I also knew I wasn’t going to give up.

A few months later, I was introduced to Ulyses Osuna, the founder of an incredible PR firm called Influencer Press. I reached out to him in a moment of total vulnerability and explained the rejection I’d been facing and the growing misperceptions about MedCompanion. He didn’t just listen—he helped me rebuild the narrative the way it was always meant to be seen.

Since then, thanks to Ulyses and the Influencer Press team, MedCompanion has been featured in over 14 major magazines, appeared live on TV, been showcased on two Times Square billboards, and has an upcoming Forbes publication on the way. Not because we changed who we were—but because we finally had the right people helping us tell our story the right way.

What I learned from all of this is simple but profound: having the right support system and investing in a strong PR team can change everything. Visibility matters. Storytelling matters. And when you’re doing something revolutionary, people need help understanding it. That shift in how we were presented skyrocketed our brand’s credibility and allowed us to stand fully in our purpose.

Today, I’m proud to be known not just for what I’ve done—but for the mission I’m building, the lives we’re changing, and the resilience it took to get here.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.medcompanion.com , www.mymedcc.com
• Instagram: @marly_Brodsky @medcompanion.co
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlybrodsky