Frequently asked questions

What is Patient Path NYC?

Patient Path NYC is my private patient advocacy practice. I'm Shlomit Liberty - a Board Certified Patient Advocate and medical Speech-Language Pathologist with more than a decade of clinical experience inside NYC and Stanford hospitals. I provide personal medical crisis management for adult patients and families during hospitalization and discharge planning, helping them navigate complex care while honoring their values, goals, and needs.

Who do you work with?

I work exclusively with inpatients - people currently admitted to acute care hospitals, acute rehabilitation centers, or sub-acute rehabilitation facilities. My work is designed for patients and families navigating complex hospital systems, where extra support, communication, and medical insight are most critical.

Do you work with people who are not hospitalized or in a facility?

Generally not. My focus is inpatient care. I specialize in advocacy during hospitalization and through the transition back to the community, ensuring that the discharge process and next level of care are safe, appropriate, and consistent with the patient's wishes.

How is your work different from a hospital social worker or care manager?

Hospital social workers and care managers play important roles inside the institution. My approach is comprehensive and clinically detailed - and it's independent of the institution.

• I'm a trained medical practitioner with years of clinical experience reading, writing, and interpreting medical documentation across specialties.
• I review every note in the chart, including physician entries, nursing updates, lab results, imaging reports, and medication administration records.
• I visit patients at the bedside several times per week, spending hours at a time to monitor progress, clarify care plans, and communicate directly with medical teams.
• I advocate proactively, making sure hospital stays or rehabilitation programs are extended when medically justified, and that discharge plans are safe, appropriate, and aligned with the patient's goals and beliefs.

In short, I coordinate the patient's care, connecting the parts of the hospital system to serve one purpose: the patient's best interest.

Do you accept insurance?

No. I work privately and independently with my clients. This ensures that my loyalty and advocacy are entirely with the patient and their family - not the hospital, the insurance company, or the next level of care. Payment is made directly by clients, which keeps the support unbiased and personalized.

How do you work with medical teams?

I collaborate directly with each patient's physicians, nurses, therapists, and case management staff. My role is to facilitate communication, make sure everyone involved is aligned, and ensure the patient and family clearly understand all updates and decisions. I act as a bridge - translating complex medical information into plain language and making sure questions are answered promptly and accurately.

Can referring professionals or hospital teams contact you?

Yes. I often work in partnership with hospital teams, discharge planners, and other professionals who recognize when a patient or family would benefit from additional support. My involvement can reduce delays, improve communication, and let the hospital team focus on clinical priorities while knowing the family is fully supported.

What kinds of patients benefit most from your services?

My work is ideal for patients and families who are:

• Feeling overwhelmed or unsure of next steps during a hospital stay.
• Facing complex medical decisions or multiple providers.
• Experiencing communication challenges with the care team.
• Preparing for rehabilitation, skilled nursing, or home care and needing help evaluating options.
• Seeking peace of mind that their loved one's care is being closely monitored and guided by a trained medical advocate.

Where do you provide services?

I serve patients and families in all hospitals and rehabilitation centers across New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx), Nassau County, Westchester County, and South Fairfield County, CT.

How do we get started?

Contact me through the form on this site, by phone, or by email. We'll schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your situation, walk through how I work, and determine how I can best support you and your loved one during hospitalization and discharge planning.