ABOUT SHORELIGHT

I'm Deanna, a Registered Nurse with 25 years of healthcare experience and the founder of Shorelight Healthcare Advocates. For over two decades, I've worked across the full spectrum of care settings—from a cardiovascular progressive care unit at Mayo Clinic to home health, hospice, and palliative care. I'm Hospice and Palliative Care Certified, a Grief Recovery Specialist, and was honored as Nurse of the Year in 2024. But beyond the credentials, I'm an advocate at heart, and this work is in complete alignment with who I am.

 

My patient advocacy work began in 2012 not only for patients but a personal experience with a family member. Since then I've dedicated myself to healthcare advocacy because I've witnessed firsthand the trauma that exists in our system—patients not receiving the right care or enough care, families not being informed of their options, and people not knowing they can seek second or third opinions. After every visit, I hear the same thing: "What would I have done without you?" That feedback drives me. My colleagues, clients, and families consistently tell me I'm a wealth of information, and I bring that knowledge to every situation with active listening, emotional support, and a focus on keeping things moving forward when healthcare feels overwhelming.

 

My background gives me a unique advantage. A decade at Mayo Clinic taught me how complex hospital systems operate. My years in home health, hospice, and palliative care—including over 1,000 hands-on hours in dementia care—showed me what it means to truly meet people where they are. As a visit nurse and case manager, I've collaborated on countless care teams, navigating admissions, discharges, procedures, treatments and end of life care. I understand how the system works from every angle, and I know how to make it work for you. I also bring grief care into my practice, recognizing that loss of health is a profound loss that deserves acknowledgment and support.

 

My personal philosophy is simple: the human comes first. I believe in equanimity and true inclusivity, honoring all cultures, traditions, and individual choices. Whether it's your way of life, cultural practices, or personal values, I weave what matters to you into every aspect of my work. When I walk into your life, you'll know you matter. You'll feel my authenticity, and you'll know you can tell me anything—because I use that trust to support you, never against you.

 

When I'm not advocating, you'll find me spending time with family and friends, near bodies of water, or listening to music of all kinds. Nature grounds me, and those moments of peace fuel my ability to show up fully for the people I serve. At Shorelight Healthcare Advocates, I'm here to guide you through the healthcare system with compassion, expertise, and unwavering support—because everyone deserves an advocate who truly sees them.