Gain an in-depth understanding of the complex and dynamic U.S. health care system. Explore key policy and ethical challenges, and learn to become a health advocate who is qualified to advise patients and their families about health care issues.

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Certificate Program in
Health Advocacy
Online Information Session

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Hello
Stan Weisner, Ph.D., M.S.W.
Program Director
Ask me your questions!
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The Rise of the
Health Advocate
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The Rise of the
Health Advocate
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● Increasingly complex and dynamic
health care system
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The Rise of the
Health Advocate
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● Increasingly complex and dynamic
health care system
● Number of age-related morbidities
to increase
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The Rise of the
Health Advocate
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● Increasingly complex and dynamic
health care system
● Number of age-related morbidities
to increase
● Growth in need for knowledgeable
consumers of health services
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extension.berkeley.edu
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What is a health
advocate?

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Medical
Team
Lawyers
Health
Advocate
Fiduciary
Health
Insurance

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Welcome to Berkeley!
Courses, certificates and programs and
instructors all approved by UC Berkeley
School of Public Health

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Career Options
▫ Patient navigators
▫ Case managers
▫ Family advisers
▫ Discharge planners
Bachelor’s
Degree
(highly
recommended)
Certificate
Program in
Health Advocacy
+ =
How will your resume
stand out?

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Meeting Our
Students’ Needs
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● Gain the knowledge and skills to help patients
and their families
● Benefits a range of professionals needing CE
credit for licensure
● Serves experienced paraprofessionals already
working in the health care field
● Prepares career-changers interested in
becoming health care advocates
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Curriculum
Overview
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Average Time to Completion: 1–2 years
8 Required Courses
10 semester units / 153 hours of instruction

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What You’ll Learn:
Required Courses
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● Introduction to Health Care Advocacy
● Ethical and Legal Issues in Health Care
● Evaluating Health Information for Health Care
Communication and Decision Making
● Families and Health Care Advocacy
● Navigating the Health Care System
● Overview of Health Care Insurance Options
● Health Care Advocacy and the Role of Cultural
Diversity
● Case Seminar on Health Advocacy Throughout
the Lifespan

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Who You’ll Learn From
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Joanna Smith, M.P.H.,
CHA, LCSW, Extension
Honored Instructor
Founder, CEO of
Healthcare Liaison
Elaine Wong Eakin, J.D.
Executive Director of
California Health Advocates

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Where You’ll Learn:
In the Classroom
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Golden Bear Center
in Downtown Berkeley
San Francisco Campus
in Downtown San Francisco

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Where You’ll Learn: Online
How You’ll Learn
● Reading materials
● Videos
● Podcasts
● Instructor and classmate
interactions
● Homework assignments
Option 1: Fixed-Date
Start and end date
Option 2: Ongoing, Continuous
Enrollment
Enroll at any time and start your course

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Our graduates go on
to do big things!
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A look at where some of our
graduates end up:
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Howard Crawford
Co-Founder/Leader of
UCSF Hepatitis C
Support Group
Erin Markey
California Licensed
Professional Fiduciary at
Best Interest Fiduciary
Services

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Getting Started
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Bachelor’s Degree
Highly recommended
Enroll in Introduction to Health
Care Advocacy
Sign up for our monthly email

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Earning Your
Award of
Completion
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Complete courses with grade of C
or better
(~$3,400, excluding course materials)
Pay $150 registration fee before
completing your second course.
Request Certificate

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Questions?

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Thanks!
Find me at extension-publichealth@berkeley.edu
(510) 642-1061
extension.berkeley.edu/spos/healthadvocacy.html