The Empowered Patient

Season 1 Finale

Thank you for listening to the Empowered Patient Podcast!

Episode 8: Volunteering, Vulnerability, and Vision: Laura Carrie's Story

In this episode of The Empowered Patient Podcast, host Maria Cortina speaks with Laura Carrie, a passionate pre-med student at Sarah Lawrence College with dreams of becoming a child psychiatrist. Laura opens up about the experiences that shaped her calling, from volunteering with adolescents at NewYork-Presbyterian to her upcoming studies at Oxford. They dive into the importance of emotional support in healthcare, the power of community, and how empathy is shaping the next generation of doctors.

Episode 7: More Than a Statistic: David Friedman on Empathy, Advocacy, and Navigating the Healthcare System

In this episode of The Empowered Patient Podcast, Maria Cortina speaks with David Friedman, a certified pharmacy technician and healthcare advocate who bridges the gap between insurance systems and patient care. With a business administration background and hands-on retail pharmacy experience, David shares how he found purpose in helping patients navigate complex systems with compassion. From prior authorizations and specialty medications to co-pay assistance and Medicare Part D tools, David highlights the everyday barriers patients face—and how miscommunication can turn small issues into major setbacks. He offers a behind-the-scenes look at how he uses empathy, active listening, and advocacy to ensure patients are seen as people, not just data points. This conversation is a powerful reminder that real change in healthcare starts with human connection.

Episode 6: From Neuroscience to Nursing: Mary Collette on Patient Advocacy, Stigma, and the Future of Healthcare

In this episode of The Empowered Patient Podcast, host Maria Cortina sits down with nurse Mary Collette to discuss the realities of patient care, the challenges of nursing post-COVID, and the critical role of advocacy in healthcare. Mary shares her journey from studying neuroscience to becoming a nurse, reflecting on how her experiences as an EMT and medical assistant shaped her perspective. The conversation covers workplace violence, gender disparities in nursing, and the stigma surrounding substance use disorder in medical treatment. With an honest look at the struggles and triumphs of modern healthcare professionals, Mary offers insight into the resilience of nurses and the importance of patient-centered care. Tune in for a powerful discussion on the evolving landscape of healthcare and the push for systemic change.

Episode 5: Advocacy in Action: Navigating STEM, Sports, and the Healthcare System with Grace Carter

In this episode of The Empowered Patient Podcast, we sit down with Grace Carter, a biomedical engineering student, college athlete, and passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion. Grace shares her academic journey, the challenges of balancing rigorous coursework with athletics, and her experiences conducting research in biomechanics and drug discovery. She also opens up about navigating the healthcare system as a patient with epilepsy, highlighting the importance of self-advocacy in medicine. Join us for an insightful conversation on perseverance, passion, and the power of speaking up for yourself in every aspect of life.