Why Proactive Patient Planning Beats Crisis Management Every Time

Why Proactive Patient Planning Beats Crisis Management Every Time

Mary Fedorowski is the Chief Executive Officer of Avoa Health, a concierge patient advocacy service dedicated to supporting individuals with chronic illnesses and their families. With over twenty years of experience navigating the healthcare system, Mary is passionate about ensuring patients receive the highest level of personalized care so they can focus on healing and spending meaningful time with their loved ones. Through Avoa Health, she helps families cut through the complexities of healthcare, providing guidance, advocacy, and clarity during some of life’s most challenging moments. In this episode, Mary shares why many families wait until a crisis—such as a fall, stroke, or medical emergency—before seeking help, and how proactive planning can make all the difference. She also explains the critical distinction between hospital-employed navigators and independent patient advocates, and why even highly capable family members can struggle to manage a loved one’s care within today’s complex healthcare system. Mary offers valuable insights on how the right support can ease stress, improve outcomes, and empower families to make informed decisions. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson – sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro – jshapiro@bhhschicago.com [jshapiro@bhhschicago.com] Mindy Leonard – mindy@superorganizedspaces.com [mindy@superorganizedspaces.com] Jordan Kagan – jordanthemanofsilver@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ [https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine [https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine] Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/ [https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/] Links: Mary Fedorowski 📞 312-434-5708 ✉️ mary@avoahealth.com 🌐 https://avoahealth.com/ [https://avoahealth.com/] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryfedorowski-avoa/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryfedorowski-avoa/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/avoahealth/ [https://www.instagram.com/avoahealth/] Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins

Practical Strategies for Staying Active All Day

Chelsea Duggan is a North Shore-based personal trainer and founder of The Ritual Fit, specializing in senior fitness, nutrition, and strength training. As a competitive jiu jitsu athlete, Chelsea brings a unique perspective on the importance of moving well, fueling the body properly, and maintaining strength at every stage of life. Her approach focuses on helping clients build sustainable habits that support long-term health, mobility, and overall performance in everyday life. Balancing life as a mom of three boys, with two dogs and a husband who is a competitive triathlete, Chelsea understands firsthand the importance of integrating movement, recovery, and wellness into a busy lifestyle. She joins us today to share how exercise can be viewed as performance training for life, practical strategies for staying active even with a desk-based routine, and how building strength and consistency can lead to a healthier, more energized life. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of HELP! Nobody Told Me. Hosts: Shannon Johnson – sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro – jshapiro@bhhschicago.com [jshapiro@bhhschicago.com] Mindy Leonard – mindy@superorganizedspaces.com [mindy@superorganizedspaces.com] Jordan Kagan – jordanthemanofsilver@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ [https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine [https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine] Website: shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com Links: Chelsea Duggan 📞 847-53-7281 ✉️ chelseaduggan@mac.com 🌐 https://theritualfit.com [https://theritualfit.com] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseaduggan/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseaduggan/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myritualfit/ [https://www.instagram.com/myritualfit/] Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins

Clearing Clutter, Carrying Memories: Supporting Seniors and Families Through Change

Anna Czech is the President and founder of Haul with Heart, a full-service cleanout and transition company serving the Chicagoland area. What began as a simple hauling business has grown into a deeply meaningful service focused on helping families navigate life’s most overwhelming moments. From downsizing and estate cleanouts to senior transitions and unexpected life changes, Anna and her team bring compassion, reliability, and a concierge-level approach to every project. Their mission is simple: to do the hard work, lead with heart, and make difficult transitions just a little bit easier for the families they serve. In this episode, Anna shares her personal journey and what inspired her to build a woman-owned business in an industry that often overlooks the emotional side of these experiences. She discusses how Haul with Heart supports families during challenging times, including navigating dementia and Alzheimer’s diagnoses, and how their background in construction and remodeling allows them to offer a more efficient and comprehensive service. Anna provides insight into how thoughtful, hands-on support can make a lasting difference during times of change. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson – sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro – jshapiro@bhhschicago.com [jshapiro@bhhschicago.com] Mindy Leonard – mindy@superorganizedspaces.com [mindy@superorganizedspaces.com] Jordan Kagan – jordanthemanofsilver@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ [https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine [https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine] Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/ [https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/] Links: Anna Czech  📞 (224) 935-0896  ✉️ haulwithheart@gmail.com  🌐 http://www.haulwithheart.comhttps://haulwithheart.com/ [https://haulwithheart.com/] http://www.haulwithheart.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/haul-with-heart/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/haul-with-heart/]  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578274974699 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578274974699]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HaulwithHeart [https://www.youtube.com/@HaulwithHeart] Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio  Edited by: Michael Collins

Keeping Your Brain Sharp: Healthy Habits That May Reduce Your Risk of Cognitive Decline

MaryGrace Sharp, MPH, is a Program Manager with the Alzheimer’s Association, where she has been serving since February 2024. In her role, MaryGrace delivers free educational programming across northern Cook County and Lake County, focusing on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, caregiver support, and available community resources. She also oversees 24 active dementia-related caregiver support groups and manages a network of more than 50 dedicated volunteers, helping ensure families have access to the support they need. With a strong background in public health and community service, MaryGrace began her career as part of the Teach for America St. Louis Corps, teaching high school Special Education mathematics and AP Statistics. She later earned her Master of Public Health and has continued her work in the nonprofit sector ever since. She joins us today to share valuable insights on what Alzheimer’s disease is, how it relates to dementia, healthy habits for brain health, and the many free resources available to individuals and caregivers. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of HELP! Nobody Told Me. Hosts: Shannon Johnson – sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro – jshapiro@bhhschicago.com [jshapiro@bhhschicago.com] Mindy Leonard – mindy@superorganizedspaces.com [mindy@superorganizedspaces.com] Jordan Kagan – jordanthemanofsilver@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ [https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine [https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine] Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/ [https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/] Links: MaryGrace Sharp 📞 847-363-2114 ✉️ mlsharp@alz.org 🌐 https://www.alz.org/illinois [https://www.alz.org/illinois] Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins

How to Unlock the True Value of Sentimental Jewelry

Abra Berkley is a sales specialist at Shelle Jewelers, where she has been helping clients create meaningful, lasting pieces since joining the team in 2020. With a passion for craftsmanship and storytelling through jewelry, Abra specializes in custom design, repurposing heirloom stones, and guiding clients through everything from jewelry box cleanouts to appraisals and watch repairs. She has earned her Diamond Essentials certification from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and is currently working toward her AGS certifications, further deepening her expertise in fine jewelry. Before joining Shelle Jewelers, Abra worked in her family’s business, connected to her grandfather Abe Saperstein, founder of the Harlem Globetrotters. Today, she brings that legacy of creativity and connection into her work, helping clients preserve memories while creating new ones. Abra joins us to share insights on how to determine the value of jewelry, when to repurpose versus keep, and how thoughtful design can turn sentimental pieces into something truly special. Subscribe, leave a review and follow us on social media…Join us next Wednesday for another episode of Help! Nobody Told Me… Hosts: Shannon Johnson – sjohnson@bhhschicago.com Jasmine Shapiro – jshapiro@bhhschicago.com [jshapiro@bhhschicago.com] Mindy Leonard – mindy@superorganizedspaces.com [mindy@superorganizedspaces.com] Jordan Kagan – jordanthemanofsilver@gmail.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/ [https://www.instagram.com/shannonandjasmine/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine [https://www.facebook.com/shannonandjasmine] Website: https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/ [https://shannonandjasmine.bhhschicago.com/] Links: Abra Berkley  📞 (847) 559-7155 (work) | (773) 259-7172 (cell)  ✉️ abra@shellejewelers.com  🌐 http://www.shellejewelers.comhttps://www.shellejewelers.com/  [https://www.shellejewelers.com/%20%20] https://www.shellejewelers.com/%20%20 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abraberkley/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/abraberkley/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abra_at_shelle/ [https://www.instagram.com/abra_at_shelle/] Produced by: Dave Couto with Bright Vox Audio Edited by: Michael Collins #shannonandjasminehomes #seniorresourceteam #helpnobodytoldme #bhhs_chicago  #bhhschicago_lakeforest #MoveConfidently #finejewelry  #customjewelry #heirloomjewelry #shellejewelers  #jewelrydesign #repurposedjewelry