Past Members of the Month
Explore our collection of interviews showcasing the exemplary Members of the Month from previous periods. These enlightening narratives offer profound insights into the invaluable contributions and experiences of our esteemed members in the domains of patient advocacy and safety.
Shlomit Liberty
Shlomit Liberty is a relatively new member of Pulse, having joined this year, but she is already an active and committed participant.
Pulse: Hi Shlomit.
SL: Hi David.
Pulse: Before we talk about Pulse, let's talk about your work. Do I remember that you're in speech therapy in some way?
SL: I'm originally trained as a medical speech language pathologist, but I became a board certified patient advocate earlier this year. I currently don't practice as a medical speech language pathologist. While I maintain my license, I don't diagnose and treat anymore. Earlier this year, I founded Patient Path NYC, which is an independent patient advocacy service based here in New York City. And what I do is I serve as a, what I like to term a “personal medical crisis manager” for adults and their families during their inpatient hospital stay. So either in acute care hospital, rehab, transitions, and their post discharge planning. I make sure their discharge plan is safe and adheres to their goals and wishes, and my services these days include bedside support, daily medical chart review, translating medical language into plain English, and communicating directly with the care team. I research discharge facilities and I ensure that the discharge plan, is, as we said, safe and aligned with the goals. And you know, like other independent advocates, I don't work for the hospital or insurance companies. I work only for my clients and that's where my allegiance lies.
Pulse: And the word “crisis” in your description of your role?
SL: If you're in an acute care hospital then you’re experiencing some health crisis, or feeling overwhelmed or feeling disempowered or confused — and that's when people reach out to me.
Pulse: A far as I can recall, the first time I remember seeing you around the scene was at the FCPA training in March.
SL: Exactly.
Pulse: And how did you learn about that?
SL: From the lovely Nicole Broadhurst.
(Nicole is with Tennessee Health Advocates LLC and collaborates with Pulse on the TakeCHARGE Campaign: 5 Steps to Safer Health Care. – ed.)
SL: I was just starting as an advocate, kind of snooping around, learning which organizations are credible and have good people involved. And she had wonderful things to say about Pulse, so I decided to check out the website. And there I saw that there is training in March 2025. That was my first involvement, and I was really impressed by the dedication of Pulse, and its patient safety education. I loved how it is steered towards advocates but also caregivers out there that are not professionals. Because I think if you really want to spread the word of patient safety and quality care, it can't only be in the hands of specialists. You know, it's a mistake to assume that all responsibility lies with the medical team.
Pulse: Absolutely. And I believe you ran a meeting of one of our monthly programs?
SL: Yes, it was an ACES (Advocates Collaborative Educational Series). I presented two case studies discussing dysphagia — swallowing disorders — which is a clinical field that I have expertise in. I was talking about the interplay between best practices and patient safety and patient autonomy. These things don't always align.
I feel like it worked really well because my work really, really closely aligns with Pulse's mission of empowering patients and caregivers through education and advocacy. And I'm just very grateful to be able to share some of my knowledge and experience with other community members.
Pulse: And how do you see your role in Pulse going forward?
SL: I don't know. Currently, I'm a community member and a contributing speaker. I would love to get more involved. I am an avid learner and educator, very dedicated to that. So I think getting more involved in educational work would be something that I'm really looking forward to. I have some ideas as to — I actually have been doing this outside of Pulse, but I would love to collaborate with Pulse — training clinical and nonclinical staff in facilities about best practices that have to do with swallowing, cognition, and language for people that are aging or have dementia or a brain injury. I believe there is a lot that facilities can improve, in how they're adhering to patient safety in those respects.
Pulse: And that's great because that kind of fills a gap. I don't know anybody else who's really working in those particular areas.
SL: I know.
Pulse: So just to wrap up, if you met somebody who knew nothing about Pulse, what would be your elevator pitch? What would be the first thing that, you know, you would want to say to them to describe it?
SL: I would say that Pulse is much more than just an advocacy organization. I look at it as a vital resource for anyone who wants to be prepared and informed in today's healthcare system. Whether you're a patient, caregiver, or a professional advocate, Pulse offers practical tools and thoughtful training, and more than anything, a supportive community that can help you navigate healthcare with confidence.
Pulse: Well put, thank you very much.
Kathy Casale
Pulse: Kathy, what is your role at Pulse?
KC: I am a Board member and avid supporter.
Pulse: What’s your profession apart from serving on the Pulse Board?
KC: I’m the owner of Sea Star Strategy, which provides digital and traditional marketing for emerging and established businesses.
Pulse: How long have you been involved with Pulse?
KC: I’ve known about Pulse for about seven years, and I’ve been actively involved for 18 months.
Pulse: And why are you involved?
KC: The Pulse mission has never been more important than it is today. I have respected Ilene Corina and the Pulse mission since the day I met her.
Pulse: What is it about that mission that you think people should know about?
KC: If you have not already had the need for Pulse services or suggestions, you most likely will at some point, for yourself or a loved one. Two years ago, during the height of COVID, my husband had a brain bleed which yielded a clot the size of a golf ball. The initial prognosis was dim. Thanks to the talented and wonderful surgeon and Pulse guidance, he has gotten through this ordeal with almost no residual effects. Since this happened in the middle of COVID and I was not allowed access to the hospital to be by his side, Pulse guided me in the best way to handle the situation. I believe without that guidance, my husband would not have had the vigilant care required to bring him through this medical emergency successfully.
So, my advice: learn more about patient safety and patient advocacy now, BEFORE you or a loved one needs it.
C. Lynn Chevalier, DHSc, MPH (CPH), MS, CSSGB, CPC,
Chairperson of the Pulse Board
Pulse: Thanks for talking to us, Lynn. Could we start by asking where you work?
Lynn Chevalier: I work as Assistant Professor in the College of Healthcare Sciences at Southeastern University in Florida, teaching evidence-based medicine, epidemiology, policy, statistics and research, medical writing — a lot of different courses. I’m also an Adjunct Professor at A.T. Still University.
Pulse: How long have you been part of Pulse, and how did you get involved?
LC: Oh, a long time! I met Ilene at a conference in New York State, and we became friendly. She recommended me for a post at the National Patient Safety Foundation. We had some great, great conversations.
Pulse: You are currently Chair of Pulse’s Board. How would you describe your role?
LC: I do odd things! I help with events . . . . it’s like all of us: if we have expertise in something we try to do that if it’s helpful, and then we help each other. I think everybody kind of has to do that and work together.
Pulse: And why do you continue to remain involved?
LC: Because I certainly believe in patient safety, equality, patients understanding the healthcare system, preventing medical error — really, preventing ‘bad health care’. [I want to prevent] people not understanding what their health care means: all of that is what I teach in my patient safety course. That’s a full semester patient safety course. A lot of things that happen here influence what I teach there.
Pulse: Finally, let’s say you meet somebody who’s never heard of Pulse and asks what it’s all about. What would you want them to know?
LC: That Pulse is really an advocacy organization looking out for the best interests of patients. And Pulse’s teaching: teaching patients, teaching providers, teaching the general public and each other how do we support people being their own advocates in the healthcare system. How do we ensure that the healthcare system is accountable for safe care? So we have to be advocates, we have to teach people (and they teach us!). We have to listen to their stories, that’s very important, right?
Kira King, PhD, BCPA
Pulse: What is your profession or company?
KK: I am a consultant – a freelance learning experience designer. I consult with organizations to identify a need, and then I build either face-to-face or online training to meet that specific need. I specialize in the healthcare industry where I build online simulations to train clinicians in critical decision-making and communication skills. Essentially, I’m a story-teller, but the stories I create are strategic experiences that guide learners towards those targeted insights.
Pulse: How did you get involved volunteering with and advising Pulse?
KK: David Fielding (also a Pulse volunteer) found me at a conference, and I mentioned that I wanted to build some case-based training in patient advocacy. I’m also a Board-Certified Patient Advocate. I don’t practice professionally as an advocate, but I’ve been a family caregiver for 20+ years, and what I wanted to do was take those learning-experience skills, take the advocacy, and create something and create some training that would be storytelling-based, case-based. And that’s when David said, “Hey, we’re opening up ACES, we want it to be case-based: would you come on board and help produce those webinars every month?”
So that’s what I do; I love it, I love working with my colleagues through ACES and Pulse, and getting to meet more of our community. Every month I work with the subject-matter experts who will be speaking, to make sure that the learning experience will have the right flow. This time I was helpful in redoing their PowerPoints so they’d be more visually appealing.
Pulse: Finally, if you were going to talk about Pulse to someone who knew nothing about it, what would you tell them? What would you want them to know?
KK: I’d want them to know about the passionate group of professionals and the community they’ve created, really focusing on enhancing patients’ knowledge so that we all can be better advocates for ourselves and for others, with the overall goal of improving the quality and safety of health care.
Susan Capurso CEOLD
Pulse board member Susan Capurso of East End Doula Care is an end-of-life doula and Legacy Specialist.
Pulse: We know you have done your “East End Doula Care” end-of-life work for some time, but it looks like you offer several other services now?
SC: Yes – these are legacy projects. The most recent is “Forever My Voice”. People tell me they’d give anything just to hear a loved one’s voice again. I provide "Legacy Interviews", "Books", and "Legacy Letters" that enables a person to share their history, wisdom, and love for their families and the for their future generations.
Pulse: How long have you been involved with Pulse?
SC: My journey into this field began ten years ago when I tragically lost my husband to the flu. This 55-day experience by his bedside led me to realize the critical need for better support and advocacy in such challenging times. I connected with Ilene Corina of Pulse through a friend's recommendation. Under her guidance, I underwent a transformative weekend advocacy course that profoundly expanded my understanding and skills. Today, I’ve been involved with Pulse for many years. I believe in what Ilene does, and that we all need to learn, grow and educate ourselves whether that be for ourselves, families, friends, or clients.
Pulse: What do you see as your role at Pulse?
SC: At first, I didn’t know how my role would unfold. I did an end-of-life video for the Academy. Then, there were openings on the Board, and Ilene asked if I would like to be a part of this prestigious team. I've helped in many roles, admin, website, fundraisers, courses and more. Knowing that I can play a small part in serving has been tremendous. I love the teaching roles. Perhaps one day we will have our in-person school that can assist others to advocate for their family, friends and clients in a whole new way.
Pulse: Suppose you met someone who had never heard of Pulse. What would you want them to know about it?
SC: Partnering with Pulse has been a truly transformative journey. Their approach to education empowers you with the essential skills and subtle nuances of becoming an effective advocate for your loved ones or clients. The knowledge I've gained extends beyond personal relationships, I incorporate these valuable advocacy techniques daily in my professional practice as a doula. For anyone seeking to develop stronger advocacy skills, Pulse offers unparalleled guidance and resources. This is knowledge that everyone should possess, as effective advocacy touches all our lives at some point.
