Hello! I'm Akeia, a health communications professional with a passion for health literacy, cultural competency and patient-provider communication. I gained an interest in this area after experiencing multiple communication problems with several healthcare professionals throughout my life, including a missed diagnosis, unexplained medical conditions and ignored complaints. I am a firm believer in finding your definition of health no matter where you are in life and want to give people the tools to be able to manage the health care system effectively.
I started Be Health Literate as a way to promote the idea that we should all be partners in our own healthcare and be prepared and confident in our exchanges with healthcare professionals. I help healthcare professionals and organizations deliver quality health information for patients and help prepare patients to take an active role in their care.
I have my master's degree in Public Health from George Washington University and am a board-certified patient advocate. I've worked with several organizations, including a speaking engagement to pre-med students at Duquesne University and creating materials for UNICEF and the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs.