The Heartwood Team
Michelle Gilmore, RN, MSN, NP - Director, Private Health Advocate Division
Michelle has been a nurse for 30+ years. She has always had a passion for assisting her patients by educating them about their medical options, and assuring that they get the best possible care. Her experience in pediatrics, chronic illness, geriatrics and health care management has led her to become an expert in guiding patients through the healthcare system. She has the ability to navigate almost any situation, utilizing her network of providers and caregivers throughout the country. Michelle has imparted her expertise and has successfully built a team who is equally as qualified and passionate about assisting patients navigate the system.
Michelle is excited about being part of this new model with the U.S. healthcare system. Private Health Advocacy, and believes that within the next five years, it will become common place for every American to have a Health Advocate at their side whenever they enter the enter the medical system.
Contacting Heartwood Health
Private Health Advocate Services
Toll Free : 866.606.8495
FAX : 951.302.2389
Michelle Gilmore, President: 510.339.1513
Patti Nieves, Vice President: 408.799.9729
e-mail: heartwood@heartwoodhealth.com
Have a Question for Our Advocates?
Our Advocate Team
Lisa Gray, RN, BSN, MA
Lisa earned her bachelor's degree in Nursing from the University of Minnesota, and her master's in psychology from New York University. She has worked in both the hospital and clinical settings in a variety of areas including medical oncology, radiation oncology, cardiology, general medicine and psychiatry. She covers San Francisco and Marin counties for Heartwood Health.
Glenda Voss, RN, MA
Glenda received her M.A. in counseling psychology from the University of San Francisco. She is an experienced health care professional whose career has brought her a depth of knowledge in direct care practices, coordination of care, and supervision. Glenda is experienced in health benefits and health care systems and is a strong knowledgeable advocate for services needed for families. Glenda covers the Santa Clara Valley.
Karen Sternstein, RN, MSN, CCM
Karen graduated from the USCF School of Nursing in 1979 with a BSN, and earned her MSN in 1988 as a family clinical specialist. Karen is a Certified Case Manager, and she also holds bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley. Karen has worked as an occupational health nurse and a case manager for workers compensation claims since 1996. Her broad experience makes her an attentive advocate for her clients.
Wendy Mazursky, RN, PA
Wendy Mazursky is a physician assistant with over ten years in the medical field. Trained in pediatrics, she is also has a strong interest in women's health and primary care. Wendy is an expert in alternative medicine and is passionate about integrating Western and complimentary approaches to care. She became interested in patient advocacy after being diagnosed with breast cancer and was faced with navigating the medical system from the patient's perspective. Wendy lives in San Francisco with her husband and son.
Pat Lyons, RN, MA
Pat has a masters degree in psychology, and has been a community health nurse for 40 years. She has been helping people overcome the obstacles to getting quality care in public and private health settings. Pat has been a researcher and advocate in the filed of weight and size bias in health care.
Most recently Pat has been a nurse and case manager for an Adult Day Health Center. Her work has focused on helping those most vulnerable, including the elderly, and disabled, maintain independence in their own homes. Pat displays a commitment to compassion, resourceful problem solving, and working with families to ease the burden of caregivers and bring peace and joy to their lives. Pat lives in Alameda, loves riding her bike to the beach and is learning to play the ukulele!
Dana Wiltsek, MA, ASW
Dana received her Bachelor's degree in Sociology from The University of California Berkeley, and her Masters in Social Work from The University of Chicago. As a licensed clinical social worker in Illinois, she worked for over a decade as a pediatric social worker in the Emergency Department, providing clinical assessment, care coordination, crisis intervention, advocacy and discharge planning for patients and families affected by trauma.
Dana has an expertise in injury prevention, which has been applied across the life span, spending recent years educating the public and health care professionals about home safety and fall prevention for older adults. Committed to the safety and well being of individuals, private health care advocacy was the next logical step, blending her passion for working with and on the behalf of patients and families, with her wealth of experience collaborating with healthcare professionals and navigating multiple systems.
Dennis McArthur
Dennis has 15 years experience working as a patient advocate. Dennis is especially skilled at helping people receive second opinions when newly diagnosed with cancers, autoimmune disease, and heart disease, or are being recommended for joint replacements. The experience Dennis brings to his work also comes directly from his own experience as a cancer survivor. He is associated with many medical foundations and is an avid researcher who keeps current with developing treatment strategies.
Miriam Shipp, MD
Miriam Shipp, MD, MPH trained at University of California San Francisco Medical School as a physician, and received her Master's in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley. She also received training as a Physician's Assistant in Women's Health Care.
Dr. Shipp is board-certified in Preventive Medicine and Occupational/Environmental Medicine. In clinical practice, she has practiced Primary Care, Women's Health Care, Occupational/Environmental Medicine, and Public Health. She has an abiding interest in helping patients and families navigate the health care system, and has been a Health Advocate for seven years.
Finally, there is help for all of us in navigating the healthcare system!