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At Advocate, we believe in empowering patients with clinical knowledge, compassionate care, and reliable advocacy. We stand by patients as they face medical challenges, offering unwavering support and personalized solutions.
Our mission is to help patients navigate the complexities of the current healthcare system, enabling them to make informed decisions that support their health and well-being.
Advocate LLC is a family-owned business treating clients as family, utilizing the skills of each generation. Together, our team brings over 100 years of combined healthcare experience. Each of us has witnessed firsthand the vital role patient advocacy plays—whether giving a voice to individuals with cognitive or mental health challenges, navigating new diagnoses, or ensuring all treatment options are clearly understood to support truly informed decisions. Advocate LLC was founded out of both personal and professional experiences, inspired by the profound impact we’ve seen patient advocacy make in people’s lives.
"And I will ask the Father and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever- John 14:16"
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Founder / Chief Executive Officer
Shannon Biergans MS, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, BCPA has worked as a nurse and health educator for over 20 years and as a family nurse practitioner for over 14 years. Her roles as a nurse and family nurse practitioner have been in the hospital and in the public/private/employee-based healthcare settings. In addition to her role as a patient advocate, she also teaches Healthy Lifestyles at Lansing Community College and helps facilitate patient simulation experiences for nursing students at Michigan State University. She previously has served as an adjunct faculty member for Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Her varied experiences in healthcare have shown her firsthand how important it is for patients to understand their healthcare choices both medically and financially. The support her faith and family provide her is what she desires to share with every patient she is fortunate enough to meet.
Melissa has been a registered nurse for over 24 years with experience in critical care, preop, same day surgery, PACU, and endoscopy. Her time in healthcare has revealed to her that many patients and families are unsure of how to navigate the healthcare system. She has a great passion for advocating and educating her patients, as well as their families, putting the power back in their hands during some of the most critical moments of their lives.
Melissa Knippen, RN
Patient Advocate
Janice Sykes is a seasoned registered nurse with a rich tapestry of experience spanning pediatric psychiatry, traumatic and acquired brain injury care, Alzheimer’s, dementia, and anxiety disorder management. Launching her nursing journey in a pediatric psychiatry residential treatment center, Jan's dedication led her to provide both comprehensive nursing care and meticulous case management to those in need.
Janice Sykes, RN
Patient Advocate
Jane's professional experience as a board-certified family physician spans 35 years in various roles including private practice, academic medicine and teaching, and college health. Prior to becoming a physician, she worked as a registered nurse in the ICU. Jane has been an advocate for family members, patients, and friends as they negotiated various health challenges
Jane Gudakunst, BSN, MD
Patient Advocate
Nathan Biergans holds an undergraduate defree in Pre-Professional Studies and a master's of science degree in Engineering, Science, Technology, Entrepreneurship from the University of Notre Dame. His academic background and work experience in various health fields reflects his strong commitment to driving innovation and transformation within the healthcare industry.
Nathan Biergans
Administrative
Kevin Biergans holds undergraduate degrees in Physiology and Business from Michigan State University. Currently, he is pursuing a Master of Science in Engineering, Science, and Technology Entrepreneurship Excellence (ESTEEM) at the University of Notre Dame. He is an advocate for health, entrepreneurship, and innovation. With a deep-seated passion for promoting wellness and improving healthcare systems, Kevin is focused on developing solutions that empower patients, enhance access, and create lasting impact in the healthcare space.
Kevin Biergans
Administrative
