Advocates in Action

From a young age, Mica Saunders developed a deep respect and heartfelt connection with the elderly — a bond sparked by afternoons spent accompanying her mother to work at an assisted living home. Watching her mom care for residents with dignity and kindness planted the seeds of understanding, empathy, and purpose that would shape the course of Mica’s life.

That early exposure didn’t just inspire Mica — it empowered her. Fueled by a desire to bring joy, movement, and mental stimulation to older adults, she launched Moxie Movez, a vibrant wellness initiative that combines brain games and physical activity to help seniors keep their mojo, stay sharp, and feel energized. Whether it’s a chair dance routine or a lively memory game, Moxie Movez is all about celebrating vitality at every age.

But Mica’s journey took on deeper personal meaning when both of her beloved grandmothers, Daisy and Florence, were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Suddenly, the knowledge she had cultivated professionally became a lifeline in her own caregiving experience. With patience and grace, she navigated the heartbreak of watching her grandmother Daisy forget who she was — choosing compassion over sorrow, presence over frustration. And with Florence, she found light even in the darkest days, creating joyful dance videos together and turning ordinary moments into magical ones — “like making every day feel like a birthday,” as Mica says.

Today, Mica shares her story not just to inspire, but to equip others. Through her work and voice, she offers practical tools, emotional insight, and heartfelt encouragement to caregivers walking the same path — helping families feel less alone and more empowered as they support loved ones living with dementia.

Mica’s story is one of resilience, joy, and purpose — a reminder that with creativity, patience, and love, we can meet even the toughest moments with grace and a little bit of moxie.

What does it take to provide care that’s not only high-quality, but deeply compassionate? In this episode, we hear from Emily Brown, whose passion for equitable, patient-centered care was sparked by a personal experience — watching a loved one struggle to navigate a complex healthcare system after being diagnosed with a serious illness.

Emily shares how that experience lit a fire in her that has guided her ever since. For the past eight years, she’s brought that dedication to her work in professional caregiving roles across the continuum of care — from the Program for the All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) to the Williamsburg Convalescent Center and now at Patient Advocate Foundation.

Throughout her journey, caregiving hasn’t just been a job — it’s been a calling. Emily opens up about the mindset she’s developed, the lessons she’s learned, and how she shows up every day with empathy, patience, and purpose. Whether you're in healthcare, caregiving, or simply passionate about equity and compassion in medicine, Emily’s story is one you won’t want to miss.

Caregiving is often described as a labor of love — but it’s also a delicate dance of boundaries, resilience, and deep emotional strength. In this episode, we speak with Crispín Goytia-Vásquez, a seasoned caregiver who has been supporting family members through illness and aging since her early 20s. With years of hands-on experience, Crispín has come to understand the profound balance required to care for someone while still respecting their independence, identity, and autonomy.

She reflects on the emotional complexities of caregiving — the quiet sacrifices, the moments of joy, and the times when setting boundaries becomes a radical act of self-care. Crispín offers honest insights about how caregivers must also tend to their own needs, and how learning to say “no” or ask for help can be just as compassionate as showing up every day.

In one of the most powerful parts of her story, she shares how she and her husband leaned on each other — emotionally and physically — to survive a life-threatening battle with COVID-19. Their shared experience is a testament to the strength of partnership and the healing power of mutual care.

Whether you're a caregiver, know someone who is, or simply want a deeper understanding of what it means to support a loved one through difficult times, this conversation offers wisdom, warmth, and inspiration.

Community health workers are the beating heart of compassionate, community-based care — often serving as the critical link between healthcare systems and the people who need them most. In this powerful episode, we’re joined by Denise Smith, Executive Director of the National Association of Community Health Workers, who shares how this workforce is transforming healthcare from the ground up.

Denise dives into the essential role that community health workers (CHWs) play — not just as caregivers or educators, but as trusted allies who walk alongside individuals and families through their health journeys. Whether it’s helping someone manage a chronic condition, navigate a complex health system, or access vital services, CHWs meet people where they are, both literally and emotionally.

At the core of their work is trust — built over time, through relationships rooted in empathy, cultural humility, and a deep understanding of the communities they serve. Denise explains how this trust allows CHWs to break down barriers, amplify voices, and ensure people are not just treated, but truly cared for.

This episode is a compelling look at how the most effective care doesn’t always happen in exam rooms or hospitals — but in homes, neighborhoods, and conversations, guided by people who lead with heart and a fierce commitment to equity.

You might call it “just taking Grandma to the doctor,” but it’s so much more — it’s caregiving. In this episode, we explore what it means to be a caregiver through the lens of public service and personal experience.

We’re joined by Bea Rector, a leader at the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, who shares how her team is helping people recognize their caregiving roles — often long before they even realize they’ve taken on that title. Bea talks about her state’s innovative programs that support unpaid caregivers with real, tangible services like transportation, help with housework, respite care, and even acupuncture.

But it doesn’t stop at providing support — Bea also explains how they’re measuring the impact of these services, not just in human terms, but in economic value as well. By tracking outcomes and focusing on holistic care, her team is proving that investing in caregivers benefits everyone.

What makes Bea’s work even more powerful is how personal it is. As a caregiver herself — for both her parents and in-laws — she brings lived experience and deep empathy to everything she does, ensuring that Washington’s programs don’t just check boxes, but truly meet people where they are.

This episode is a powerful look at caregiving as both a personal journey and a public priority — and how recognizing the role is the first step in supporting it.

Connect with Washington State's Department of Social and Health Services on social media!

Twitter: @waDSHS
Facebook: Washington State DSHS

Janice Williams has devoted over 25 years to nursing, serving her community with compassion and expertise. Yet, despite her extensive healthcare background, nothing truly prepared her for the profound and often overwhelming journey of becoming a caregiver for her own father. As she stepped into this new role, Janice discovered that caregiving demanded much more than medical knowledge — it required careful strategy, emotional resilience, and the crucial ability to rest and recharge.

This transformative experience inspired Janice to found Caregiver’s Respite in 2010, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting family caregivers through education, encouragement, and community events. Through her organization, Janice offers caregivers not only practical tools but also a network of understanding and hope.

Central to Janice’s story is her unwavering faith, which has been a beacon during her toughest moments. She shares how faith, combined with compassion and community, can help caregivers carry their burdens while also uncovering the unexpected blessings that caregiving brings.

In this episode, Janice invites listeners into her journey — one of challenge, growth, and mission — as she works tirelessly to strengthen others, ensuring no caregiver has to walk their path alone.

Learn more about Janice's organization Caregiver's Respite: https://janice-williams.com/ 

Visit our National Financial Resource Directory today to find ways to decrease the financial burden of medical treatment. You can filter our directory by your age, state, medical diagnosis and type of assistance needed. https://www.patientadvocate.org/explore-our-resources/national-financial-resource-directory/ 

For more than 20 years, Shonta Chambers has been the steady, compassionate caregiver for her parents—tending to her mother’s needs as she lives with multiple sclerosis and supporting her father through recovery after a stroke. But when both of her parents contracted Covid-19 within the same year, Shonta faced an unprecedented test of strength, resilience, and heart.

Navigating this intense period required every ounce of her professional caregiving skills, combined with the deep well of personal experience she’s built over decades. As she balanced the demanding responsibilities of caring for her parents, raising her own children, and prioritizing her own physical and emotional health, Shonta confronted the complex realities of caregiving head-on.

In this deeply moving conversation, Shonta shares the emotional toll, the physical challenges, and the moments of quiet strength that define caregiving — especially during a global pandemic. She reflects on how this journey has been more than a duty or a role; it’s been a profound calling that has reshaped her understanding of love, sacrifice, and what it truly means to care for those who depend on us.

Shonta’s story is a testament to the resilience of caregivers everywhere — a source of hope and encouragement for anyone walking this difficult but rewarding path.

Do you need a case manager to help you navigate challenges while you seek the care you deserve? Contact our Case Management Services: https://www.patientadvocate.org/connect-with-services/case-management-services-and-medcarelines/ 

Visit our National Financial Resource Directory today to find ways to decrease the financial burden of medical treatment. You can filter our directory by your age, state, medical diagnosis and type of assistance needed. https://www.patientadvocate.org/explore-our-resources/national-financial-resource-directory/ 

At just 20 years old, Naimi Pothiwala is already making a meaningful difference in her rural hometown of Apex, North Carolina. As an undergraduate student at East Carolina University, Naimi’s dedication to service and language learning led her to become fluent in Spanish—a skill that became a bridge to a unique and vital role as a translator at a local mammography clinic.

In this episode, Naimi opens up about how honored she feels to support women during some of the most vulnerable and intimidating moments of their healthcare journey. She doesn’t just translate words—she translates comfort, confidence, and empowerment, ensuring every patient feels understood and cared for.

Beyond her current role, Naimi shares her ambitious vision for the future: to use her skills and passion to improve healthcare access and education in rural communities, where language barriers and limited resources often stand in the way of quality care.

Tune in to hear Naimi’s inspiring story of compassion, courage, and the powerful impact one young woman is making — proving that age is no barrier to creating change and lifting up others.

Are you in a rural area and need help accessing care? Visit our National Financial Resource Directory

How can organizations across an entire state collaborate seamlessly to ensure that every patient, regardless of location, can access the care they need? The key lies in leveraging cutting-edge telemedicine technology combined with strong, purposeful statewide partnerships — all driven by a shared mission to achieve health equity for every individual.

In this episode, Suleima Salgado, the Director of Telemedicine for the Georgia Department of Public Health, invites us into the innovative world of virtual care delivery. She shares how her team has successfully connected patients and providers across all 159 counties in Georgia, overcoming geographic, economic, and logistical barriers that once stood in the way of quality healthcare.

Suleima reveals some of the best practices and collaborative strategies her department uses to maintain seamless communication and care coordination. This episode highlights the remarkable power of a united state workforce, demonstrating how multiple entities working together can break down barriers and ensure patients receive the timely, compassionate care they deserve.

Join us to explore how Georgia’s telemedicine pioneers are setting a powerful example for states everywhere—showcasing the potential for technology and collaboration to transform healthcare and create a more equitable future for all.

Watch a Video about Georgia's Telemedicine Network

Read More Georgia's Office of Telehealth & Telemedicine

Learn About Telemedicine in Your State: National Consortium of Telehealth Resource Centers

Ed Cunicelli’s remarkable career spans over two decades, beginning with a profound project photographing life on the White Mountain Apache reservation in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Center for Indian Health. Since then, his journey has taken him far and wide—from capturing the intimate moments of Native American and rural communities to documenting the intensity and humanity on the front lines of Covid-19 treatment in a bustling urban hospital.

What sets Ed apart is his unwavering focus on capturing not just images, but stories of joy, strength, and resilience. Through his lens, he reveals the dignity and courage of the people he photographs, transforming his work into a powerful testament to social justice and a catalyst for meaningful change.

In this episode, Ed shares the inspiring experiences and deep connections that have shaped his vision as a photojournalist. Listen as he reflects on how photography can shine a light on marginalized communities, amplify unheard voices, and become a force for empathy, awareness, and action.

Explore Ed's portfolio.

Are you in a rural area and need help accessing care? Visit our National Financial Resource Directory