Providing our clients guidance, resolution and peace of mind.
Today’s healthcare environment can be especially challenging to navigate. No matter what you or a loved one are experiencing, Lighthouse Patient Advocacy can help.
Our mission is to help you achieve your goals and the best possible outcome for your situation in order to bring you peace of mind.
We want you to feel confident and assured that the best interest of you or your loved one is put at the forefront at all times.
By understanding your needs, we can help you achieve peace of mind.
Are you feeling overwhelmed, lost, frustrated, frightened, exhausted, perhaps even guilty or angry?
Are you unsure of what the next steps or decisions should be?
Do you feel as though members of your healthcare team are not communicating with each other?
Do you feel that no one cares or is taking the time to understand you? Your needs? Your concerns?
At Lighthouse Patient Advocacy, the goal is to “see you”, understand your needs and work with your healthcare team to put and keep, YOU at the center of care.
Whether you are experiencing a new problem or have ongoing issues, the expertise at Lighthouse can help improve your journey and your outcomes. Joe’s story is a great example of what we can do for you. To read Joe’s story, click on the link below.
We are here for you.
Healthcare is often complicated. Navigating the many issues that arise on your own can be daunting.
Lighthouse Patient Advocacy was established to meet the growing need of patients and their families in this increasingly challenging healthcare environment. Its founder, Gail Gilberto, has been an RN for 40 years, is Board Certified in Patient Advocacy and has experience in many areas of healthcare- from most areas of bedside practice, to case management, mental health and substance abuse, to leadership, giving her a unique ability to understand the challenges of the system as well as the expertise and ability to navigate and resolve issues.
Having both a strong sense of ethics and remarkably high standards means Gail will get you to the best possible outcome while assuring you understand the issues and processes every step of the way.
Contact us so that we can arrange a complimentary 15 minute phone consultation to see how we can help you.
Services
Whether you are facing challenges related to complex medical or surgical issues, end of life decisions, assuring great care for a loved one who lives far away, or one or more new diagnoses, Lighthouse Patient Advocacy can help. Located in Chicagoland with services nationwide, our experience is broad and deep and includes:
Medically and surgically complex patients
Surgical care and post operative issues
Cardiac and Pulmonary issues
Orthopedics
Neurology
Nephrology
Oncology
Patient and family education
Helping manage urgent needs
Quality of life concerns
Finding the right provider
Elder or dependent care issues
End of life and hospice
Billing issues
Home health and safety concerns
Team building and collaboration
And more.
Testimonials
“…Gail was my voice during my darkest days, and I am immensely thankful for her. I would not have made it this far without her. She knew I had a long road ahead of me since that first phone call, and Gail has been by my side the entire way.”
C.M. Chicago, IL
“…You will not find a better person to advocate for you. She is a leader, she is not afraid of the system, and she will make sure things are being done correctly.”
A.K. Carol Stream, IL
“Gail, I appreciate you more than words can express. You’re so wonderful, so patient, so compassionate. I really don’t know where we’d all be if we hadn’t found you. You are doing what you were meant to do, I believe that with all my heart!”
K.B. Schaumburg, IL
Navigating the healthcare system can be challenging under the best of circumstances but when my brother in law and sister experienced a medical crisis living somewhat isolated and out of state, we quickly realized reaching out to a healthcare advocate was vital. We feel fortunate to have found Gail Gilberto. Gail is experienced, knowledgeable and professional, not to mention kind and compassionate. Gail was also extremely responsive and got back to us almost immediately whenever we had any questions or concerns (which was often!) Gail became the point of contact for our family, establishing relationships with hospital staff, discharge planners, rehab facilities and long term care providers. She conferenced in to all appointments or meetings along with my sister, making sure she obtained the correct information and then patiently explained everything to the rest of the family, allowing us all time to process and make the appropriate decisions. She even helped arrange an air ambulance to bring my brother in law and sister from Colorado to FL since he could not fly by commercial airlines. Gail knew what questions to ask and where to get answers when we didn't. I'm not sure where we would be had we not hired Gail to advocate on our behalf. She was a wealth of information and a beacon of light during a difficult time. Thanks Gail!
TC S.J., FL
“…My preference is to always have Gail present when needed because she is always professional and respectful, she has great bedside manner, and most importantly, she knows how to form solid relationships with the patient, nurses, doctors, and administrators, all moving towards the same goal. She garners immediate respect when she talks and knows how to professionally play devil’s advocate with the staff.”
R.M. Oakbrook, IL
“…Her follow through is amazing, her attention to detail is awesome, and she makes always makes herself available. In short, I can’t imagine not having Gail by our side as we deal with medical and emotional decisions.”
D.R. San Francisco, CA
Gail Gilberto was a Godsend. I was confused, stressed, and anxious. Gail put me at ease. She took care of everything for me. She contacted the hospital, social workers, doctors, Medicare, and finding the best facilities for my mother.
She also provided me with emotional support. She would call just to see how I was doing. She would listen to me and comfort me.
I will always be grateful for everything Gail helped me with during the most difficult time of my life. Gail really cares for others. She will always have a special place in my heart.
MC Chicago, IL
My Testimonial on behalf of Gail Gilberto, Lighthouse Patient Advocacy
During the summer of 2022, my boyfriend of 30 years started experiencing health issues that became increasingly painful, frightening and difficult. Our time together evolved into a series of hospital visits and doctor’s appointments, each more frustrating than the next. All too often, we encountered health care professionals who – for all their knowledge – seemed to lack warmth, compassion and the skills needed to help us understand what was happening and how to cope.
My boyfriend and I both wondered why there couldn’t be one person to coordinate things – someone who could communicate clearly with multiple doctors, help interpret medical information and provide a caring source of support. While researching these questions online, I discovered the term “patient advocate” and was incredibly lucky to find Gail Gilberto. I’m not exaggerating when I describe her as a lifesaver! From our first phone call, I was impressed not only with Gail’s experience (over four decades as an RN) and professionalism, but her warmth, patience and sincerity.
I can’t count the times she has literally gone out of her way to help. During the last several months, not only has she spoken MANY times with doctors/nurses/staff (and family members, as appropriate) about care plans, but has helped coordinate appointments, conducted extensive research on Medicare options, and more. Often she will sit in by phone during specialist consults; when my boyfriend and I are overwhelmed, Gail knows what to ask and ensures we understand what’s being discussed. She makes a point of checking in with us on a regular basis to ensure we’re in the loop, and just to see how we’re doing, which means so much.
Most recently, she has been assisting with choices related to in-home care and doing other related tasks too numerous to mention. On so many occasions, she has gone “over and above” to ensure appropriate care is being received. As I write this, there are still many issues to deal with but knowing Gail is there every step of the way has given us incredible peace of mind. She is simply the best and I am so grateful for her!
A. R. Wheeling, IL
Joe’s Story
Here is an example of what Lighthouse Patient Advocacy can do to help you:
“Over the last several years Gail has made herself available to my family and I on numerous occasions during confusing and complicated times.
In August 2014 during a routine checkup, it was discovered that at some point in the past I had a major undiagnosed heart attack. Gail helped me through the next several months of tests and procedures, communicating with my doctors and making sure I understood what was going on and I was receiving the follow up care I needed.
A few years later I went into V tach, I was rushed to a nearby hospital by ambulance. The hospital I was taken to was not one of the premier hospitals in the area. Gail worked with a nearby hospital that was well accredited in cardiac care. She was able to facilitate an immediate transfer by ambulance to the accredited hospital. While I was there the doctors suggested the implant of an ICD-pacemaker, she worked directly with the doctors and counseled me on the decisions that needed to be made for my care.
In Dec of 2019 my mother who had CHF and kidney failure, decided she no longer wanted to continue dialysis and wished to pass. Gail helped my mom, my family and I through the end-of-life process. She worked with the doctors and hospice making sure my mom had everything needed to pass in comfort, painlessly.
In late December right before Christmas, I was again admitted to the hospital because my heart was going into sustained V tach, luckily the ICD I that my doctors had previously implanted kept my heart functioning by shocking me several times. I live in a small rural area where good cardiac medical care is not available. My doctors decided I would need a cardiac ablation to correct the condition I was having. Gail worked with my doctors and facilitated getting me flown to a facility that could do the procedure, she followed up with my doctors during the time I was in the hospital. Upon discharge and subsequent follow up appointments, Gail participated by phone and called me after the appointments to make sure I understood everything that was explained in the appointments.
In June of 2021 a close family member on the East coast was diagnosed with incurable cancer. Once again Gail stepped up to help my family member understand the end-of-life process and how to pass with dignity and as painlessly as possible. She was a huge help during a very hard time with my family member.
Gail is a very caring compassionate person; she always advocates for patient’s rights and makes sure they receive the best care available.
J.L. Apple Valley, CA
Gail Gilberto
BSN, RN, BCPA
