BEHIND THE PATIENT'S PODIUM
Meet the Team
Our dedicated team of experienced professionals are always on the ball, utilizing their unique skills and passion to move the work of our Non-Profit Organization forward. We’re always pushing ourselves to stay ahead of the curve and striving to perfect our programs. Meet some of our incredible leaders below.
NICHOLE DAVIS, BCPA
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Nichole is a Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA), public health professional, and health policy and legislation advocate. She serves as Founder and Executive Director of The Patient's Podium. Nichole graduated from Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, a minor in Biology, and undergraduate certifications in public management and bioethics. She completed post-graduate bioethics studies at Yale University and graduate public health leadership training at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Nichole is currently pursuing a Master in Public Health (MPH) with a concentration in Community Health from Baylor University and is passionate about patient-centered, participatory healthcare. Of the Patient Advocate Certification Board's (PACB) growing list of Board Certified Patient Advocates globally, Nichole is believed to be the youngest advocate to have achieved the prestigious credential to date.
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Nichole is actively involved with several national advocacy organizations and works to educate local and national government officials on patient-centered care by means of policy and legislation.
ISABEL MAVRIDES-CALDERÓN
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Isabel Mavrides-Calderón is a 16-year-old high schooler at Horace Mann School from New York City. In addition to being a student, Isabel is a community organizer and activist for disability justice who focuses on community outreach, public speaking, and campaigning at the federal and local level in order to create policy change for intersectional disability justice. Isabel’s other passions include competitive public speaking on the National Speech and Debate Circuit, playing violin, watching cult documentaries, and playing with her Chihuahua. She is a staff writer at Cripple Media, and works with multiple non profits such as ADAPT, Center for Disability Rights and Patients Rising. Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok: @powerfullyisa
ASHTON NESMITH-KOCHERA, BCPA
ADVISORY BOARD BUISNESS CHAIR
Ashton is a Board Certified Patient Advocate and Co-Owner of Trifecta Health Connections. Ashton went to college and became a teacher but it was the traumatic pregnancy and birth of her daughter that led her to patient advocacy, health policy, and legislation. In 2009, Ashton received her birth doula certification and co-founded a 501(c)(3) childbirth advocacy organization in 2013.
After not only herself but her daughter, was properly diagnosed with a genetic condition, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Ashton went on to found a local support group which to date has nearly 300 members.
Ashton soon realized that voices needed to be heard after many people had gone misdiagnosed/not properly diagnosed with the same condition.
Ashton gained a special interest in legislative campaigns and healthcare policy after advocating on behalf of NPAF and RDLA. She has had the chance to speak at The US Capitol twice, has presented at medical conferences and universities, and consults with doctors and medical schools on patient safety, caretaking, complex chronic illness, and mental health. She has shared her story by co-authoring 3 books, and is in the process of writing a book. She completed a trauma-informed certificate program in 2019 and is currently enrolled in UC Berkeley’s health advocacy grad program.
Knowing the power of sharing one’s story, Ashton’s committed to ensuring that others have the opportunity to share their stories and help advocate for health policy change.