Prescription for Admission: A Caregiver's Guide to Navigating Hospital Stays, Medical Advocacy and Better Experiences in Healthcare & Elder Care.

Are you frustrated answering the same questions over and over while caring for a loved one in the hospital? If you’re navigating elder care and caregiving , those repeated questions can feel like a communication breakdown, but they’re actually one of the most important patient safety tools in healthcare. This episode helps you understand what’s really happening behind the scenes and how you can us...

When you or someone you love is in the hospital, sleep often becomes one of the hardest things to get. Lights turn on at night, alarms go off, medications are given at odd hours, and nurses may come in frequently to check vital signs. All of these disruptions can make it very difficult to rest. In this episode of Prescription for Admission , I walk you through why sleep in the hospital is so often...

Leaving the hospital should feel like a relief for you and your family. But what happens when you feel ready to go home, and your medical team says it is not safe yet? In this episode, I walk you through one of the most common frustrations you may experience during a hospital stay: delayed hospital discharge. You might feel better, your bags might be packed, and you may be eager to leave. But I wa...

Hospital stays can be stressful. When you are worried about a loved one or navigating your own care, emotions can rise quickly. Misunderstandings can happen between patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers, especially when communication breaks down. In this episode of Prescription for Admission , I walk you through how you can handle difficult conversations in the hospital with clarity, prof...

Hospital discharge is not the end of your recovery. It’s the beginning of your most vulnerable phase. When you or your loved one is finally discharged, you might feel like the hardest part is over. And I understand that feeling. You’ve made it through the hospital stay. The labs were monitored. The medications were given on schedule. Specialists were consulted. Nurses were watching closely. Inside...

In this powerful episode of Prescription for Admission , I sit down with award-winning author and caregiver Lisa Braxton to talk about what it really means to advocate for your aging parents , especially when you’re miles away and can’t be at the bedside. If you’ve ever tried coordinating hospital care from another city (or another state), you know the feeling: the late-night calls, the anxiety of...

One of the most common questions I hear from patients and families in the hospital is this: “Wait… who is my doctor?” And if you’ve ever felt embarrassed asking that question, you’re not alone. You meet a hospitalist. Then a cardiologist. Then a resident. Then a nurse practitioner. Then someone with an infectious disease. The nurse changes at shift change. A rapid response nurse shows up. An IV nu...

If you’re caring for an aging parent or loved one, the words “We need to go to the emergency department” can instantly fill you with dread. I see it every day, and I want you to feel more prepared than panicked. In this episode of Prescription for Admission , I walk you through how you can prepare for unexpected emergency department visits before they happen. Because preparation isn’t pessimism; i...

In this episode of Prescription for Admission , I’m walking you through one of the most frustrating parts of hospitalization: hospital discharge delays. If you’ve ever felt like your loved one was “medically ready” but still stuck in the hospital, you’re not alone. And here’s the truth: discharge delays usually aren’t about medicine. They’re about logistics. Together, we’re unpacking what really s...

When your loved one is hospitalized, confusion often starts before the medical decisions do. In this short episode of Prescription for Admission , I walk you through the two simple questions that you need to ask on day one of a hospital stay. Questions that can dramatically improve communication, clarity, and patient safety. Drawing from real bedside experiences as a hospitalist, I explain why inf...

Did you know that hospital food can impact your recovery, mood, and overall hospital experience? While often overlooked, what you eat during a hospital stay matters more than you think. In this episode of Prescription for Admission , discover the real story behind hospital food and why it matters for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals alike. Get actionable tips on nutrition, advoca...

In this episode, I sit down with Resea Selph to talk about one of the most powerful forces in healthcare: parental advocacy . You’ll hear Resea’s deeply personal journey advocating for her son, Nicholas, during a critical medical crisis that exposed serious gaps in pediatric care and sepsis recognition. This is a must-listen for parents, caregivers, and healthcare professionals alike. We dive into...

In this episode of Prescription for Admission , I sit down with Dr. Joe Sherman, a seasoned pediatrician and physician coach, to explore the evolving world of pediatric hospital medicine and what it truly takes to build a meaningful, sustainable career in pediatrics. Together, we talk about how pediatric care has changed over the years, why understanding a patient’s community is essential to deliv...

In this powerful episode of Prescription for Admission , I sit down with Jenn Robb to talk about a moment no family ever expects, a mental health crisis that unfolded despite signs that things seemed to be improving. If you’ve ever had a gut feeling that something wasn’t right, this conversation is for you. Jenn shares the heartbreaking experience of trying to reach a loved one, trusting her intui...

As we welcome a new year, I’m taking a moment to reflect with you on the journey of Prescription for Admission — and what we’ve learned together about hospital care, patient advocacy, and navigating complex healthcare systems. In this New Year’s episode, I look back on both seasons of the podcast and the powerful conversations that shaped them. From pediatric care and emergency medicine to mental...

Is pediatric surgery just about the procedure, or is it about a lifetime of health? In this episode of Prescription for Admission, I sit down with Dr. Evan Nadler, a world-class pediatric bariatric surgeon, to pull back the curtain on one of the most misunderstood areas of children’s healthcare. Whether you’re a parent navigating a difficult diagnosis or a healthcare provider looking to sharpen yo...

In this episode of Prescription for Admission , I sit down with Dr. John Lees to unpack one of the most confusing and frustrating parts of the healthcare system: hospital pricing and healthcare transparency . Dr. Lees shares his fascinating journey from studying physics to developing technology that helps patients like you access clear, accurate healthcare information. Together, we break down why...

In this episode of Prescription for Admission , I’m joined by patient safety expert Dr. Julie Siemers for an honest and eye-opening conversation about what really keeps patients safe in hospitals and what puts them at risk. Together, we break down the real-world issues behind patient harm: communication breakdowns, medication errors, failure to rescue, and gaps during transitions of care. Dr. Siem...

In this episode of Prescription for Admission , I’m sitting down with patient advocate and podcaster Hollis Peirce to delve into what it truly means to be a vulnerable patient in today’s healthcare system. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed during a hospital stay — or if you care for someone who is — this conversation will help you understand the realities patients face and how you can advocate for y...

If you're caring for aging parents while also managing your own family, career, or life responsibilities, you’re not alone. In this episode of Prescription for Admission , I’m talking with Shari Ross — senior living expert and author of Senior Living Made Simple — about what it really looks like to navigate elder care with confidence instead of crisis. Shari and I delve into the emotional, financi...

In this episode of Prescription for Admission , I sit down with Dr. Nekaiya Jacobs-Pratt , a pediatric critical care physician, to talk about what life in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is really like — for both the care team and the families who live through it. Together, we dive into the emotional and medical complexities of caring for critically ill children and what it takes to balan...

In this episode of Prescription for Admission , I sit down with licensed fiduciary Sarah Ecklein to unpack what it really means to plan for hospital care, incapacity, and aging—especially when you’re flying solo or your family lives far away. If you’re wondering how to protect your health and your estate when you can’t speak for yourself, this conversation is for you. We explore healthcare proxies...

In this episode of Prescription for Admission , I’m sitting down with Aimée Yawnick, a death doula, to have one of the most honest and meaningful conversations you’ll ever hear about death, dying, and what it really means to live fully. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when medicine can no longer cure, or how families can find peace during the end-of-life journey, this episode is for you. Toge...

Your hospital stay should be a place of healing, not added risks but did you know that medication errors are one of the most common safety issues patients face during transitions of care ? In this episode of the Prescription for Admission podcast, I break down the critical role of medication reconciliation in keeping you and your loved ones safe. I walk you through the five steps of medication rec...

As a female physician, I’ve learned that the journey through medicine isn’t just about clinical skills but confidence, resilience, and community. In this special Prescription for Admission episode, I discuss my experiences during Women in Medicine Month and the powerful lessons I’ve carried throughout my career. From setting boundaries and saying no to finding quiet moments for self-care, I share...