Advertise on podcast: Health Chats Among Friends

During this episode, I get the honor and pleasure of speaking with Veronica Shanklin of Dementia Care Warriors. Let's hear her story of why she founded this wonderful organization.  Veronica Shanklin has spent the last 8 years as the full-time caregiver for her grandmother and mother, both of whom have Alzheimer’s disease. She has done this while managing a career and becoming a passionate advocate for Alzheimer’s caregivers. In 2019, Veronica founded Dementia Care Warriors, a 501c3 non profit who’s mission is to provide non medical resources and support to dementia caregivers. As a caregiver herself, through her lived experience, Veronica knows first-hand the challenges that caregivers face. As a caregiver advocate she feels a compelling responsibility to be a voice for the voiceless and help caregivers thrive in their role.

I have the great opportunity to speak with Former Practice Administrator turned Independent Patient Advocate, Nicole Broadhurst. She helps busy and committed professionals gain peace of mind and take control of medical bills in 30 minutes without making a single phone call. As CEO and founder of Tennessee Health Advocates, Nicole's mission is to simplify and clarify the healthcare billing system. As a former healthcare insider, Nicole focuses heavily on the opportunities for improvement within the medical billing process to help her clients achieve peace of mind knowing they are not paying a penny more than they actually owe. Join in as we discuss her journey and learn more about her amazing services. 

Leihla was born and raised in the DFW area and has an extensive 30 year background in healthcare administration.  In September 2000, her mother was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease which exposed her to a new culture in healthcare and ultimately paved the path for her passion today.  As a child of Alzheimer’s, she has dedicated her life to being an advocate for people living with the disease, as well as their caregivers. In addition to serving as the 2022 Event Chair for the Arlington Walk to End Alzheimer's, Leihla is currently the Community Resource Director for Carver Heights Assisted Living in Arlington.  She is an active member of the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, serves on the Scholarship Committee of the Tarrant County Area Gerontological Society, and is a member of Dementia Friendly America (Dallas & Fort Worth Chapters). She is also a member of Dallas Area Gerontological Society, VFW Post 7843 Auxiliary, a Board Member for Dementia Care Warriors, Pajamas for Seniors and resides on the National Advisory Board of Concorde Career College. Her adage with regard to Alzheimer’s is, “We Have To Face To Fight It”.

In this episode I get the opportunity to speak with Mary Catherine Hess with Captel Outreach. Listen in and find out what is Captel Outreach.  Mary Catherine Hess has worked with the deaf and hard of hearing community for nearly 20 years. With an extensive background in EHDI (Early Hearing Detection & Intervention), Mary Catherine turned her efforts towards helping people of all ages when she joined OEI in 2017. She achieved her MA in Linguistics from Gallaudet University and holds a BS in Communication Disorders. Her professional interests include communication access issues in health care settings, assistive technology and ASL / English interpreting. Mary Catherine is a yogi, pug lover and fan of NPR and folk music.

In this episode I get to chat with my friend Levi Malone. “Levi Malone is an Area Director of Business Development for Civitas Senior Living. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Business  Administration with a minor in Management in 2015 from East Texas Baptist University. Quickly, he found himself launched into the Senior Healthcare Community in Houston working as an Account Manager for a private duty home care company. It was here that he developed his passion for senior healthcare and specifically senior living. He joined the dynamic sales department with Civitas in June of 2019 and it has been incredible ever since. Civitas is a senior living management and ownership company based out of Fort Worth. Levi gets to perform business development for 8 communities on the west side of DFW. His favorite part about his job is educating on senior living and how it has changed over the years.” Join in and learn about his amazing journey as an advocate for seniors.

In this episode I get to speak with the owner of Pure Comfort Spa. Lambretta is a licensed Cosmetologist since 1986, to include three (3) states: Colorado, Georgia and Texas. in addition, she is A Certified Master Pedicurist (CMP) and A Certified Podologist (C.Pod), specializing in foot care. PCSC offer services to athletes, the immune compromised, diabetics, cardiovascular, and the geriatric community. Pure Comfort Spa Clinique LLC is a small business that provides a pediCARE (a therapeutic treatment for your feet) service to anyone in need of feet pampering. This service is Safe, Hygienic and Non-invasive. Our brand is based on Relaxation~Education~Prevention (R.E.P.) in a stress free environment regarding Health and Wellness.

In this episode Ruby Shoals RN, Sue Wallace CSA and myself talk about the importance of Mortage Protection Insurance. What it is and why people need it. Ruby Shoals is from Texarkana, TX and is a retired Registered Nurse. She moved to Fort Worth in 2010 to become an Independent Insurance Agent and a Certified Long Term Care Insurance Specialist. Ruby’s business was created with the desire to be able to “Empower People to Live Well, Build Wealth & Leave A Legacy”. She does this by sitting down with you, listening to your concerns, your hopes and dreams and helping you map out a strategy to reach them. She believes that financial education is one of the keys to a successful future. She works with families and small business owners to develop strategies for improving their finances and planning for the future. Her portfolio of services includes: Living Benefits Life Insurance, Mortgage Protection, Whole Life, Final Expense, Cancer, Heart Attack/Stroke, ICU, Child Whole Life and Long Term Care Insurance. She also provides Legal Shield plans to families and small business owners.

Mitzie has more than 30 years’ experience as a Registered Nurse. Early in her career she worked at hospitals and medical clinics in the Fort Worth and Houston areas, providing newborn and pediatric care. Several years ago, when she was working at Pediatric Specialists of Plano, she redirected her career to care for her mother who was diagnosed with Cognitive Impairment. Over time her mother digressed to Alzheimer’s, and Mitzie cared for her until she passed away at the end of 2020. With the experience she gained in caring for her family, she started a business called Assisted Living Locators, which provides services for families looking for senior living options for seniors who need a change in where they live and the care they receive.

In this episode my co-host and I get to learn and talk with Attorney L. Bradley Schwartz founder of Greater National Advocates; a non-profit organization that helps others get access to the world of private patient advocates. Join in and hear his amazing story of turning a tradgic situation into a organzation that helps others in an amazing way. Attorney at L. Bradley Law LLC; President of Greater National Advocates, Inc.- Fighting for Patients, Families, and Advocates

During this episode, I get the pleasure of speaking with Sue Wallace, CSA. Sue was the proud owner operator of Assisted Services for over 26 years and also worked very hard to introduce this new industry to Tarrant County residents and healthcare providers. She is one of the very first owners of an private duty home care back then. During our discussion we will here about her journey and how she continues to be a great icon in the healthcare industry.

Cheryce Moss has been a dedicated member of the death care community since she was 19 years old. Graduating from San Antonio College Mortuary School under the direction of the Late Felix B Gonzalez Jr., and completed her apprenticeship at Laurel Land Funeral Home Of Fort Worth. Shortly after graduation, with more than ten years of service, her commitment and passion for serving families led to many once in a lifetime opportunities. Cheryce carried her passion and knowledge of the profession to the community of Mansfield, where she currently serves at Blessing Funeral Home under the Lucas Family. She is a member of Texas Funeral Directors Association where she serves on the Education Committee and Emerging Leaders.

During this episode I get the immense pleasure of speaking with Xavier E. Sanders. He is the Founder and Executive Director for the BarbaraCares Foundation, where he serves passionately to ensure social supportive services are made available to breast cancer patients and caregivers throughout the state of Texas; while also advocating for increased mammography screenings for communities at-risk. With a 13-year corporate background in business and marketing, Xavier uses direct appeals and engagement to actively impact the community.. Recently published author (The Other Side of R.E.A.L), Xavier is committed to giving voice to those often marginalized. No stranger to community or service, Xavier is active on several boards locally and nationally. Certified Mediator and proud graduate of Texas Wesleyan University - Fort Worth, TX., with a degree in Psychology. Xavier's mission is to serve where he can and create tangible impact each day of his life. Living purposefully his mother's motto, "Fight, Smile And Fight Some More!"