BEST OF HEALTH The Bridge RN Patient Advocates with Melissa Cardine
The Bridge RN Patient Advocates was created to help patients, their families and caregivers navigate the complex healthcare system with ease. We provide individualized consultation, education, resources, and support to help our clients as we bridge the gaps from diagnosis to healing through personalized and holistic assessment, goal-setting, planning and advocacy. Our goal is for our clients to feel empowered and in control of managing their health and ultimately become their own advocate. We begin 
by creating a comprehensive timeline of your medical history, reviewing all your medications and supplements, attending appointments, facilitating communication with pharmacists, providers, insurance companies and family members on your behalf, providing resources for decision-making, and doing anything necessary to support your success. The Bridge RN Patient Advocates provides in person service to the following areas: Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills, and Phoenix. We also provide consultations and services via phone and video conferencing.
Melissa Cardine has been a nurse for over 20 years. She received her Bachelor of Nursing in 1997 and Masters in Nursing in 2002. Her passion is listening to patients, families and care givers and building relationships with every member of the medical team. She has done that at every turn in a nursing career that spans from complex home health care services and hospital nursing to opening a nationally recognized outpatient treatment center. During her Master’s program, she developed a Geriatric Care Management program in which she envisioned helping the elderly and their families navigate the health care system. She imagined empowering people to be their own or their loved one’s best advocate. Instead of pursuing that immediately, she continued her nursing career and built a family. Melissa has experienced much personal and professional growth over the last decade, but her passion for listening to patients is still the same as the first day she became a nurse.
In October 2015, that passion turned into action. She enrolled in the Independent RN Patient Advocate program through the University of Arizona and started The Bridge RN Patient Advocates. She believed that is was time to share with others how they too can manage their own health. It was time to listen and educate clients on how to ask questions, understand their options, research alternatives, look at the big picture, and discover the root cause of their ailments whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. Melissa has displayed that patient-centered devotion for the past three years as the owner of The Bridge RN Patient Advocates. Melissa’s enthusiasm and energy for health advocacy is obvious in everything she does and is a benefit to everyone she meets.
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WHY BEST OF HEALTH?
I am a Physician Assistant who has been caring for patients for over 20 years and Family Practice (cradle to grave) is my specialty.
Following the footsteps of three generations of family practice physicians (my father, grandfather and great grandfather) this was a natural and genetic calling that I do not regret.
Given this, I have a unique perspective and it’s time to share that perspective through Ask the PA. As a health care provider, teacher, business owner, patient, and advocate for my family and friends throughout the years, it has been painfully apparent there are disconnects within the current state of health care in the US and throughout the world. It can be confusing and frankly very scary.
It is my goal though this series, Best of Health, to bring people together that are passionate about their roles in the business of health care… and yes, whether or not you want to hear that it’s a business, it is — and that’s the fact. I will introduce to you great, dedicated practitioners and people with a passion for getting the word out about their personal journeys and causes. I will provide information about navigating through a confusing system, asking the right questions and share ways for saving money and time along the way.
It’s time to create change by partnering, empowering, and focusing on the patient, their families and their providers of care. It’s time for you to take the driver’s seat rather than leave your health care solely in the hands of entities such as insurance companies and the pharmaceutical industry.
Stay tuned. Here’s to your Best of Health.
~ Barb
ABOUT BARB
Barb is a Physician Assistant (PA) and a primary care provider with a passion for education and advocacy. Prior to becoming a Physician Assistant (PA), Barb was an accomplished musician and teacher. In 1992, Barb made the conscious decision to leave teaching and her musical career in pursuit of a career in medicine. She graduated from AT Still University’s first PA class in 1997 with a Masters of Science in Physician Assistant Studies.
Barb has spent several years working in clinics and family practices. Currently, Barb works for Premise Health at Insight Enterprises in Tempe, AZ as a solo practitioner providing primary care to employees and families on campus. She was also a partner in Renaissance Medical Group and Renaissance Medical Properties in Chandler and Maricopa, AZ and had a dual role of Chief Operations Officer and practicing PA for 14 years.
Along with being a PA, Barb is the author of the book Surviving the “Business” of Healthcare, Knowledge is Power! She is a certified Medical Professional Legal Consultant and Patient Advocate, speaker and influencer for change in healthcare for the patient, provider and family members. Barb is also certified by the National Commission of Certification of Physician Assistants and is an active member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.
In her spare time, she loves to travel, maintaining an active lifestyle that includes running, biking, swimming. She loves to spend time outdoors with her family and friends, whether it’s walking on the beach or hiking in the desert.
For more information about Ask the PA and to connect with Barb:
