Trusted Patient Advocacy Experts

*Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician (ABFM) with 14+ years clinical experience (based in Chicago, IL) *Named Castle Connolly Top Doctor (2024, 2025) *Medical Media Commentator seen on/in ABC 7, Fox 32, CBS 2, WGN 9, The Chicago Tribune , Chicago Sun Times, and Everyday Health; including a nationwide 25 interview satellite media tour (TV & radio, November 2025) *Premedical Student Mentor, Urban Bridges Medical Mentoring Program Dr. Rene is a board-certified Family Medicine physician and Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians (FAAFP) with 14+ years of clinical experience. She provides comprehensive primary care for Medicare-eligible patients at Oak Street Health's Avalon Park location in Chicago, specializing in chronic disease management, preventive care, healthcare equity, and access for underserved communities. After overcoming 50 medical school rejections, Dr. Rene graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine and completed residency training at Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago. She developed the L.Y.M.I.T.S. Method—a framework for transforming limitations into your greatest strengths. She mentors aspiring physicians through the Urban Bridges Medical Mentoring Program. Dr. Rene has appeared as a medical expert on ABC 7, Fox 32, CBS 2, and WGN 9 Chicago and recently completed a 25-interview national satellite media tour. She is available for expert commentary on resilience in healthcare, medical education equity, resilience and overcoming failure, healthcare access for underserved populations, and diversity in medicine.

I’m a board certified internal medicine physician who prides myself on providing compassionate, patient centered care. I have worked as a hospitalist for over 8 years while moving around the country as an active duty military spouse. I’m passionate about helping my patients gain a better understanding of their health so they feel empowered to take ownership of their medical conditions.As an extension of this goal, I have founded Physician By Your Side LLC, an independent healthcare advocacy company. My mission is to provide support and education to patients and their caregivers so they can make informed decisions while navigating our often hectic healthcare system.Personally, I’m a firm believer in nature as medicine and spend as much time as I can hiking and camping with my family. I also subscribe to the six pillars of Lifestyle medicine as a path to take control of your personal health.

Tara Bailey, MPA, CMC, BCPA, CDP, CSA®, SHSS Founder & CEO | Brevard Healthcare Navigation Tara Bailey is a nationally credentialed care manager and patient advocate with nearly two decades of experience in healthcare support services. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) and is certified as a Care Manager (CMC), Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA), Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), Certified Senior Advisor (CSA®), and Certified Senior Home Safety Specialist (SHSS). As the Founder and CEO of Brevard Healthcare Navigation, Tara leads a trusted team dedicated to helping seniors, disabled adults, veterans, and families navigate complex medical systems with clarity and confidence. Her work is rooted in personal experience, deep empathy, and a belief that every individual deserves coordinated, dignified support—whether facing a health crisis or planning ahead. In addition to her direct work with clients, Tara has served on multiple local, state, and national board of directors, advocating for improved care access and quality across the lifespan. She is known for her calm presence, strong leadership, and unwavering commitment to empowering others through advocacy, education, and compassionate guidance.

Elizabeth Banks is a counsellor, speaker and advocate based in West Gippsland, Victoria. She is the founder and Director of The Village Health, a trauma-informed counselling and allied health practice. Elizabeth's clinical approach draws on ACT, EMDR and schema-informed therapy. She works across private, NDIS and agency-funded care, and coordinates closely with schools, GPs, paediatricians and specialist services to support families navigating complex trauma, family violence and mental health challenges. She brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her advocacy. As a survivor of childhood abuse and domestic violence, Elizabeth speaks openly about coercive control, the neurobiology of trauma, and why victims don’t ‘just leave’. Her insight has made her a trusted voice for journalists, podcast hosts and advocacy organisations covering domestic and family violence in Australia, including appearances such as Thriving After Trauma. Elizabeth is writing her first book, drawing on her personal story and clinical work to speak to the realities of coercive control, recovery and rebuilding a life after abuse. Through The Village Health, Elizabeth has built the kind of support she needed and could not find: a place where pain can be spoken aloud and met with compassion. She is available for interviews, features and speaking engagements on domestic violence, trauma recovery, coercive control, the experience of leaving, post separation abuse and healing.

Dr. Ayesha Bryant, M.S.P.H, M.D. is a physician, clinical scientist, and associate professor dedicated to translating complex medical research into practical health solutions. With more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and multiple textbook chapters, Dr. Bryant is recognized for her contributions to perioperative outcomes research, preventive medicine, and quality-of-life improvement. She currently serves as a clinical advisor at Alpas Wellness, a drug, alcohol & mental health treatment center in Maryland. She completed her medical training at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine and Emory University, with additional training in epidemiology and public health. Her research has been featured at major national and international conferences, including the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the American Association for Thoracic Surgery. Dr. Bryant’s expertise spans functional medicine, AI-driven healthcare algorithms, and national clinical data registry research. She is passionate about combining evidence-based medicine with real-world wellness strategies to improve patient outcomes and preventive care. In addition to her academic work, she has written for Rupa Health, where she shares insights on how readers can live healthier, more vibrant lives.

Elizabeth Rubin, MD is a board-certified physician with advanced fellowship training in Medical Simulation, specializing in education, patient safety, and systems innovation. She currently practices at a Level I Trauma Center in Los Angeles, California, where she cares for critically ill and injured patients. She also serves on the clinical oversight team at The Embers Treatment, a drug & alcohol treatment center in Arizona. Dr. Rubin earned her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania, followed by her medical degree from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. She completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach and went on to pursue a fellowship in Medical Simulation at the University of Chicago / NorthShore University HealthSystem. Her professional interests include simulation-based education, quality improvement, patient safety, and developing innovative approaches to emergency medical training. Through her work, she strives to improve both clinician performance and patient outcomes in high-stakes, time-sensitive environments.

I have been a dentist for over three decades. I have experience in private practice, public health, dental education, and medical writing. Currently, I am a Senior Dental Consultant for a global financial services company specializing in benefits administration, where I advise on clinical decision-making, oral health policy, and quality of care. I am frequently sought as an expert source on oral health and its relationship to overall well-being. I have experience in preventive care, access to care, health equity, workforce challenges, and advocacy-driven policy discussions that impact both patients and providers. I bring a clinician’s perspective to complex issues, grounding national conversations in real-world impact rather than theory. A significant focus of my work is health equity and access to care, particularly how social determinants, communication gaps, and system design influence oral health outcomes. I have led workshops, contributed to professional education, and testified before legislators on oral health policy. I am also an experienced communicator and thought leader. As a TEDx speaker, podcast host, and multi-published author. I have written for dental journals, served on peer review panels, and regularly speak to student groups on leadership, service, and higher education. My perspective is grounded in decades of private practice and leadership within organized dentistry, where I cared for diverse patient populations. That foundation continues to shape my approach: practical, patient-centered, and focused on improving outcomes at both the individual and system level.

A company is only as strong as its people. Yet, I see it every day—burnout, stress, and chronic fatigue are draining the energy of employees, impacting performance, engagement, loyalty, and innovation. I’ve spent my career uncovering the root causes of these issues and helping people reclaim their energy, focus, and long-term health. As a physician, bestselling author, and host of the nationally syndicated TV show Ask Dr. Nandi, I’ve helped millions take control of their well-being. My latest book, Heal Your Gut, Save Your Brain, a New York Times bestseller, unpacks the critical link between gut health and cognitive wellbeing—a connection that has the power to transform not just individuals, but entire organizations. This is a core promise of The Vitality Advantage—the idea that when employees function at their best, companies thrive. I don’t just share science-backed strategies for better health—I help teams implement real changes that boost resilience, performance, and energy in a way that directly impacts business success. My message is simple: * Vitality is a Vital business advantage. * Healthy employees are more engaged, creative, and productive. * Burnout prevention starts with physical and mental well-being. * Corporate transformation happens from the ground up—one healthier, more energized employee at a time. If your company is ready to embrace The Vitality Advantage, let’s connect and discuss how I can bring this actionable, high-impact message to your organization.

PROFESSIONAL Healthcare runs on people - providers, administrators, executives making decisions under pressure in a fragmented system. That's where I work. If you're covering what it actually takes to lead organizations through major and disruptive change - I have a perspective built from experience. I've spent over two decades working at senior and board levels within healthcare organizations. I was the CHRO and a product executive at a major Blue Cross Blue Shield plan. Now I run my own consulting practice and serve as an independent advisor affiliated with EBG Advisors. My clients are health systems, physician groups, behavioral health providers, and investor-backed companies navigating transitions - acquisitions, integration, and operating model changes. I've led leadership teams and boards to align their business and workforce strategies while simultaneously improving performance, employee engagement and organizational health. ADVOCACY My adult son is profoundly autistic AND his life was saved by medical cannabis. Those two facts don't stay in a corner of my life. They have changed my family's life, and they inform how I think about policy, service systems, and who gets left out of the conversation. If you're covering autism policy, what families of severely autistic individuals actually need from the service system, or the intersection of healthcare policy and patient access to cannabis - I'm available to talk. I serve on the board of the National Council for Severe Autism (NCSA), focused on individuals with severe autism and complex needs. This is one area of health policy where the most severe and complex cases are disproportionately underrepresented in research, funding, policy design, and public discourse. They don't capture the reality for families like mine, where the daily stakes involve safety, access to healthcare, housing, and support services. I also support Americans for Safe Access, the leading organization advancing legal access to cannabis for therapeutic use. Patients and families are making decisions about cannabis in an environment that is fragmented and poorly researched. Better science and better access policy matters. I know firsthand what's at stake when both fall short.

Ozgur Ozdemir is founder and lead consultant of Eton Medical Ltd, a UK-based independent overseas medical treatment consultancy. He advises US, Canadian, UK, and international patients on cross-border medical care, coordinating bespoke treatment plans and personally vetting each partner clinic and surgeon. His expertise covers dental treatments abroad (implants, veneers, full-mouth restoration), cosmetic surgery (rhinoplasty, BBL, facelift), hair restoration (FUE, DHI), bariatric surgery (gastric sleeve, bypass), fertility and IVF, laser eye surgery, orthopedic and oncology care — with a particular focus on treatments in Turkey. Ozgur is available for expert commentary on: - Medical tourism cost comparisons (US, UK, Canada vs overseas) - Patient safety and clinic accreditation when travelling abroad for care - NHS wait times and cross-border alternatives for UK patients - Uninsured US and Canadian wait-time patients seeking affordable overseas options - Ethical practices and red flags in the medical tourism industry - How to choose a clinic and surgeon abroad Based in London. Available for interview by phone, video, or written quote.

As I am a medical expert for Invigor Medical, a urologist, and an MD currently completing my PhD in clinical medicine, my work bridges patient care, education, and research. I serve as a teaching assistant in surgery, where I guide and support future doctors while treating patients in everyday practice. My research focuses on oncologic urology, men’s health, and hormonal health, and I actively collaborate on international studies. Through these roles, I am dedicated to advancing evidence-based medicine, improving patient outcomes, and helping shape the future of urological care.

At the core of Bold Impact Group, strategic leadership and a fervent dedication to enhancing the healthcare and education sectors have been the cornerstones of our mission. Our work has consistently focused on fostering improved communication and client outcomes.Advocacy for cultural diversity and the empowerment of immigrant and refugee registered nurses has been paramount through The African Nurses Network, which I founded. Our collective efforts have paved the way for better leadership opportunities and resource allocation aimed at uplifting under-served populations while increasing the visibility and impact of cultural diversity within the healthcare industry.

Dr. Brian Honeyman, MD, PhD, is a board-certified physician in Hospice and Palliative Medicine and Internal Medicine, with a career spanning clinical leadership, medical education, and translational research. He currently serves as a Clinical Advisor at Marietta Springs, where he helps guide compassionate, evidence-based approaches to patient care and recovery. Dr. Honeyman most recently served as Chief of Palliative Medicine for Care New England Medical Group, advancing holistic and patient-centered models of serious illness care. In addition to his clinical leadership, Dr. Honeyman is a dedicated educator and former Assistant Professor of Medicine at Brown University, where he mentored medical students, residents, and interdisciplinary learners. A graduate of the Boston University School of Medicine MD/PhD program, his doctoral research explored the molecular mechanisms of breast cancer, with publications in PLOS One and Chemistry & Biology.

I am a self-funded and alternate funded health plan expert with almost a decade of experience helping employers and brokers create innovative solutions that reduce healthcare costs. I also have over seven years of experience as a national keynote speaker, TEDx speaker, podcast host, media personality, and author. I am regularly featured at events across the country providing expert perspective for helping employers create strategies to improve healthcare outcomes and improve employee retention. I leverage my vast resource base and personal knowledge of innovative strategies such as direct primary care, reference-based pricing, and new pharmacy solutions to drive change and reduce costs. I am passionate about making a positive impact on the lives and businesses of my clients and partners.

I am a thought leader and have a passion in making an impact in creating solutions to today's obesity epidemic.

Dr. James Lyons, M.D., is an internationally trained physician that was born in Germany. He is the son of a teacher and army veteran and was raised in Texas, but traveled extensively during his medical training. From medical rotations in French Hospital Systems, to his training in Miami at Ryder Trauma medical center and psychiatric training at TGK Prison, his depth of knowledge for those in acute crises is vast. In addition to his doctorate in medicine, Dr. Lyons also holds a Masters of Medical Sciences and coordinated research trials for schizophrenia pharmaceutical treatments in Dallas, TX. He completed his residency in Rural Michigan as a Family Medicine Physician, where he made home visits, and was rigorously trained in all aspects of medical care from delivering and caring for newborns, to end of life care. In his final year of training, he was named chief resident of this program. After 3 additional years practicing in rural east texas as a hospitalist in the acute setting, he, his wife, and their 4 children now reside back in Texas where he was raised, where his parents are retired, and where his sister works as a registered nurse in hospital leadership. Dr. Lyons continues to practice medicine in the acute setting as a hospitalist and emergency room physician in the greater Austin area. Aside from direct patient care, Dr. Lyons provides medical expertise and consulting while also being actively involved in performance improvement, infection control, and medical executive committees in the hospitals where he practices.

I serve as Group Vice President of HealthStaffingGroup, a healthcare workforce division focused on helping hospitals and healthcare organizations navigate complex staffing and leadership challenges. My work centers on workforce strategy, leadership hiring, retention, and long-term staffing stability in high-demand healthcare environments. With experience supporting healthcare systems across the country, I regularly work with executives, administrators, and clinical leaders to address issues such as nursing shortages, physician recruitment, workforce burnout, and succession planning. I’m particularly interested in how leadership decisions, operational design, and workforce planning directly influence patient outcomes and organizational resilience. Over the years, I’ve seen that staffing challenges are rarely isolated hiring problems; they are strategic issues tied to leadership development, workload design, and long-term workforce sustainability. I often speak on healthcare leadership trends, retention strategies, and the evolving talent landscape within hospitals, clinics, and specialty care environments. My perspective combines frontline workforce realities with executive-level strategy, offering insight into how healthcare organizations can build stable, high-performing teams in an increasingly complex care environment.

Dr. Michael Christopher is a board-certified dermatologist and expert dermoscopist recognized for his work in early melanoma detection. Through consistent, evidence-based use of dermoscopy, he identifies between 150 and 215 melanomas annually, far exceeding national and state averages and highlighting a critical gap in standard skin cancer screening practices. Dr. Christopher is a leading advocate for improved melanoma detection standards and patient education, calling attention to the limitations of visual-only skin exams. He regularly speaks on prevention, early detection, and systemic failures in dermatology training across health, wellness, and longevity-focused media.

Neisha Christine Himes is an award-winning activist and motivational speaker dedicated to ending domestic violence. A survivor of a five-year abusive relationship, she turned her pain into purpose, using spoken word poetry to raise awareness and empower others. In 2016, she founded the G.R.O.W. (Girls Recognizing Our Worth) Foundation, a nonprofit committed to supporting survivors as they heal and rebuild their lives. Her advocacy led her to roles as a Victim Advocate for the Norfolk Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and Domestic Violence Outreach Liaison for the Newport News Police Department, where she played a pivotal role in inspiring and establishing the department’s first Domestic Violence Unit. Now, Neisha continues her work as a Trauma Liaison Educator within a prominent healthcare system, helping to reshape how medical professionals provide trauma-informed care to victims of violence. Through Neisha Christine Consulting, LLC, she develops and facilitates educational workshops, professional training programs, and public awareness initiatives, partnering with organizations to improve violence prevention efforts and survivor support services. Known for her innovative advocacy, she creates strategic campaigns, community initiatives, and collaborations that challenge perceptions and inspire change. Her dedication has earned widespread recognition, including the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s “Voices in Action - Survivor Activist” Award, DomesticShelters.Org’s “Survivor of the Year” Award, and a feature in a national awareness PSA by The Allstate Foundation. Neisha’s unwavering commitment to amplifying survivor voices and transforming systems is embodied in her motto: “I will not shut up!”

Elizabeth Gavino, Medicare Strategist Lewin & Gavino Inc. | Medicare Transition Partners Elizabeth Gavino is a Medicare Strategist with 30 years of experience helping high-net-worth individuals, executives, and employers navigate Medicare transitions before they become costly, irreversible mistakes. She is the founder of Medicare Transition Partners and the creator of the CMTA (Certified Medicare Transition Advisor) credentialing program — the first professional credential designed to train advisors on Medicare transition strategy. Elizabeth has been cited as a Medicare expert source in over 100 articles for CNBC and CNN. She specializes in Medicare strategy and planning, IRMAA and income planning, retirement healthcare costs, and employer Medicare transitions. Based in La Jolla, California.