Are you tired of feeling lost and overwhelmed in the healthcare system? Do you want to regain control of your health journey and make informed decisions with confidence? If so, then this podcast is for you.
I am a Doctor of Medical Science, author, a mother and a Board Certified Patient Advocate who has worked in healthcare for over 25 years. I have been the provider, the patient, the daughter, the sister, and the parent facing the overwhelming healthcare system; and left feeling alone and confused. Navigating your health and managing your healthcare is challenging, but it's a lot better when we go through it together.
Are you ready to take charge of your healthcare journey? It's time to Ask the Patient Advocate!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Publisher
Elena Borrelli
Category
health & fitness · health & fitness · health & fitness
Health for the Holidays: Why Patient Self-Advocacy Matters
Do you know what to do if a health concern arises while your doctor’s office is closed for the holidays? Are your medications, medical records, and emergency contacts organized before you travel? And would you feel confident speaking up if you needed medical care away from home?
The holiday season brings family gatherings, travel, and celebration—but healthcare needs don’t take a holiday. Limited office hours, unavailable specialists, and unexpected symptoms can make it harder to get the care you need. That’s why self-patient advocacy and preparation are especially important this time of year.
In this Health for the Holidays episode of Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, Dr. Elena Borrelli and Christine explore ways to protect your health and navigate healthcare with greater confidence throughout Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.
Whether you live with a chronic condition, care for a loved one, or simply want to be better prepared, this conversation offers useful strategies you can put into practice before the holiday rush.
Give yourself the gift of confidence this season. Explore how small steps today can help you become a more informed, prepared, and empowered participant in your healthcare.
Ready to strengthen your self-advocacy skills? Explore the Pathway Self-Advocacy Course for practical tools and resources: (https://pathwaypa.com/pathwaycourses/)https://pathwaypa.com/pathwaycourses/ (https://pathwaypa.com/pathwaycourses/)
Looking for personalized support? Call 947-517-8395 to learn more about working with a private patient advocate.
Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli:
Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates (https://www.instagram.com/pathwaypadvocates/)
Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates (https://www.facebook.com/PathwayPatientAdvocates)
Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates (https://www.youtube.com/@pathwaypatientadvocates9311)
Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates (https://www.tiktok.com/@pathwaypatientadvocates)
LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates (https://www.linkedin.com/company/pathway-patient-advocates/)
pathwaypa.com (http://pathwaypa.com)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
23 Oct 2026
Navigating Cholangiocarcinoma, Clinical Trials and Self-Advocacy with Melinda Bachini
What happens when you are handed a rare, low-survival cancer diagnosis and told there are no options left? How do you transition from the overwhelming shock of a devastating prognosis to actively taking control of your medical journey? What if the key to unlocking years of quality life lies in exploring clinical trials long before they are offered as a last resort?
In this powerful episode of the Ask the Patient Advocate Podcast, host Dr. Elena Borrelli sits down with Melinda Bachini, a 16-year survivor of cholangiocarcinoma—a rare and aggressive bile duct cancer. After her initial diagnosis offered little hope, Melinda took charge of her care, leading her to a pioneering clinical trial at the National Cancer Institute. Today, she serves as the Chief Patient Officer at the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation, sitting on national research committees to ensure patient advocacy remains at the forefront of medical research and policy.
Tune in to discover how using your voice can unlock hope, extend quality of life, and transform the future of cancer care.
Take the Next Step in Your Healthcare Journey
Mastering self-advocacy can save lives. If you are ready to gain the tools, confidence, and knowledge to navigate complex medical diagnoses for yourself or your loved ones, explore our comprehensive (https://pathwaypa.com/pathwaycourses/)Self-Advocacy Course (https://pathwaypa.com/pathwaycourses/).
Need personalized support? If you are looking for a dedicated private patient advocate to walk alongside you, call us today at 947-517-8395 to learn how we can help.
If you have questions or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out to us at advocate@pathwaypa.com. Remember, with the right advocate by your side, managing your health becomes a journey of empowerment and clarity.
Connect with Melinda:
https://www.facebook.com/melinda.bachini
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melinda-bachini-b04b8b100/
https://www.instagram.com/mebachini/?hl=en
https://x.com/melinda_bachini
https://www.cholangiocarcinoma.org/
TikTok @melindabachini
Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli:
Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates (https://www.instagram.com/pathwaypadvocates/)
Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates (https://www.facebook.com/PathwayPatientAdvocates)
Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates (https://www.youtube.com/@pathwaypatientadvocates9311)
Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates (https://www.tiktok.com/@pathwaypatientadvocates)
LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates (https://www.linkedin.com/company/pathway-patient-advocates/)
pathwaypa.com (http://pathwaypa.com)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
16 Oct 2026
What Happens Behind the Scenes in Hospitals? Understanding How Hospitals Really Work
Have you ever wondered what happens after your doctor leaves the hospital room? Why do tests, imaging, and treatment decisions sometimes take hours—or even days? And who is actually coordinating all the moving parts of your hospital stay?
Hospitals are complex, fast-moving environments, and patients often see only a small portion of the work happening behind the scenes. In this episode of Ask the Patient Advocate, Dr. Elena Borrelli and Christine pull back the curtain on hospital operations and explain how physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, case managers, laboratory teams, and other professionals work together to coordinate care.
You’ll learn why hospital wait times happen, how emergencies and staffing affect schedules, what takes place during shift changes, and why communication between departments is essential for patient safety and continuity of care. The conversation also highlights how understanding the hospital care team can help patients and caregivers feel less confused and more involved in medical decisions.
If you need help understanding what’s happening during a hospital stay, a private patient advocate can help you navigate the process. Call 947-517-8395 to learn more.
Want to become a stronger advocate for yourself or a loved one? Explore our Self-Advocacy Course and learn more here: https://pathwaypa.com/pathwaycourses/ (https://pathwaypa.com/pathwaycourses/)
Connect with Dr. Elena Borrelli:
Instagram: @pathwaypadvocates (https://www.instagram.com/pathwaypadvocates/)
Facebook: Pathway Patient Advocates (https://www.facebook.com/PathwayPatientAdvocates)
Youtube: Pathway Patient Advocates (https://www.youtube.com/@pathwaypatientadvocates9311)
Tiktok: Pathway Patient Advocates (https://www.tiktok.com/@pathwaypatientadvocates)
LinkedIn: Pathway Patient Advocates (https://www.linkedin.com/company/pathway-patient-advocates/)
pathwaypa.com (http://pathwaypa.com)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Who has been a guest on Ask The Patient Advocate
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Shawn Elizabeth George
Dr Theresa Lyons
Matt Toresco
Jordan Kruse
Nicholas Kelly
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
177,845
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 61 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
69
Social presence
97
YouTube
82
Engagement
0
Host of Ask The Patient Advocate?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
