![]() Gayle Byck, PhD, BCPA, Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®️
Board Certified Patient Advocate Founder & Principal Advocate |
Like you, Gayle has had frustrating experiences with health care providers and insurance companies -- as a patient, as a parent, and while helping her own parents. She believes that many of the problems people experience with navigating the health care system are a result of poor communication and coordination. It can be difficult to question providers, know what to ask, and be able to process the information. It is especially challenging to do so when you are emotionally overwhelmed by the situation.
Gayle clearly remembers the fear and confusion she felt when one of her newborn twins was in the NICU. She and her husband were lucky to have good health insurance, get paid time off from work, and have a strong social support system; so many people don’t. But there was still so much uncertainty:
As a patient advocate, Gayle can provide help navigating the health care system, including:
A good advocate has strong problem-solving, communication, and analytical skills; is proactive and assertive; can research and synthesize information; and can connect people and ideas. Gayle’s personal and professional experiences have led her to develop those skills and strengths. Gayle’s credentials:
Gayle has over 20 years of experience as a health services researcher at University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health and Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. In addition to navigating the health care system for her own family, Gayle has experience advocating with the school system and in the community. Gayle lives in a northern suburb of Chicago with her husband and three children. She is a member of the Alliance of Professional Health Advocates and Greater Chicago Advocates. She’s been an active volunteer in community, school, and youth sports organizations. She’s currently a member of the Township High School District 113 school board as well as involved with the Highland Park Hospital Community Advisory Committee, Deerfield Parent Network, College Bound Opportunities, and Special Kids Foundation. Gayle is also a community educator for CampaignZero: Families for Patient Safety. Gayle enjoys hiking, tennis, kickboxing, good books, and sitting around a campfire. |