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Navigating the healthcare system can be overwhelming, confusing, and, at times, frightening. Whether it’s understanding a diagnosis, making treatment decisions, or ensuring that the right questions are asked, having someone in your corner makes all the difference.
That’s exactly why I founded Garnet RN Patient Advocacy—to stand beside patients and their families, ensuring they feel heard, supported and empowered every step of the way.
My journey in healthcare began fifteen years ago at Parkland Health & Hospital, an amazing place and one of the busiest public hospitals in the country. Serving vulnerable populations alongside highly trained staff, I witnessed firsthand the challenges patientsface—financial hardships, language barriers, complex medical conditions and limited resources.
After earning my bachelor’s degree in nursing from The University of Texas at Arlington (Go Mavs!) in 2014, I transitioned to my role as a Registered Nurse. My ICU training taught me how to advocate for patients, push back against unsafe situations and translate medical jargon into clear, understandable terms.
It is unusual in bedside nursing for someone to stay in the hospital setting for more than 5 years. Many go on to plush jobs in clinics or go back to school.
I wanted to be where the sickest patients were, mentoring younger nurses and becoming a “jack of all trades.” Over the years, I worked in for-profit, nonprofit and private hospitals and saw that gaps in care exist across all healthcare settings—regardless of income level. Through it all, what I loved most was advocating for my patients and solving problems.
The pandemic was one of the most difficult times in our lives, and I desperately hope we never see anything like it again.
During this time, I saw how a personal touch could profoundly change patient care. One incredible palliative care doctor would ‘round’ in the COVID ICU, gathering personal details about each comatose patient from their families.
Was this person a gardener? A doting grandfather? A basketball fan? These small details helped us remember through our exhaustion that each patient was more than a medical case—they were a person with a life beyond their illness.
It was difficult to see fear and burnout drive many exceptional and skilled clinicians away from the bedside, leaving behind a younger workforce and a sicker, more skeptical patient population. I realized patients needed a trusted go-between who could bridge the widening gap between patients and professionals.
That’s when I discovered independent patient advocacy—the perfect way to use my knowledge and experience to help people in my community take control of their healthcare.
I received my Board-Certified Patient Advocate certification in 2024.
I founded Garnet RN Patient Advocacy because every patient deserves to feel confident in their healthcare. As both a Registered Nurse and Board-Certified Patient Advocate, I offer a unique blend of compassion and medical expertise.
Through Garnet, I help patients and families with:
Whether you need help coordinating care, attending appointments or summarizing healthcare data, my services are tailored to your needs and budget.
My goal is to ensure that my services are accessible to most.
Many of my clients are caregivers needing help juggling young children and aging parents or individuals managing chronic conditions with multiple specialists. Others were previously healthy but now face serious illness and an overwhelming medical system.
Anyone who has ever benefited from a “nurse or doctor in the family” could benefit fom their own advocate.
One experience that solidified my commitment to advocacy happened while I was working in the post-anesthesia care unit.
A woman had been hospitalized for months due to a complex skin infection and multiple surgeries. Hospital policy prevented children under 12 from visiting, leaving her unable to see her two young kids at all. She was heartbroken, in pain and had stopped eating. As she shared her struggles with me, I tearfully imagined being separated from my own children for so long. She was receiving excellent medical care, but something vital was missing: her family.
I understood why policies exist, but I also believed in finding compassionate solutions. I advocated for her needs, speaking with the unit manager and making the case for an exception. A few days later, she was reunited with her children.
I honestly believe that there is usually no “bad guy” in stories like this, only oversights and opportunities for better connection and communication. Sometimes, policies designed to protect can unintentionally harm. This experience reinforced that patients aren’t just their diagnosis—they are people with lives, families and stories that matter.
Healthcare today is more complex than ever. Doctors and nurses are stretched thin, and patients often feel like just another number. That’s why independent patient advocacy is critical—it brings the focus back to the patient.
At Garnet RN Patient Advocacy, my mission is to ensure no patient feels lost, unheard, or alone. Whether you’re facing a new diagnosis, struggling to get answers or simply need guidance, I am here to help—as much or as little as you need.
Because at the end of the day, you deserve to feel in charge of your healthcare. Call me today to set up your free 30-minute consultation!
Leah Nolan, RN, BSN, CCRN, BCPA
214-281-8133
