Living the System - What Patients Wish We Knew

🎙️ Episode 1: Living the System – What Patients Wish We Knew

Guest: Dalia – lawyer, mom, patient, and lifelong “VIP” (very involved patient)

Summary:
In this powerful premiere episode, host Dr. Jill Goldenberg sits down with Dalia, a lawyer and mother who has spent her entire life navigating the healthcare system. Diagnosed with her first tumor as a toddler and with multiple distinct cancers over the years, Dalia shares what it’s like to live on the receiving end of a system that often feels impersonal, disjointed, and difficult to navigate — even for the most informed patients.

Dalia opens up about:

• The emotional toll of living with chronic, life-threatening illness

• Moments of both dismissal and deep compassion in her care

• The importance of open notes and patient access to the medical record

• How system design — from scheduling to physical space — shapes patient experience

• Her vision for a better healthcare system that integrates public health, social supports, and simplified processes

Through Dalia’s story, we’re reminded that healthcare is personal, and the systems we build must reflect that. This episode is essential listening for anyone designing or delivering care — and for those ready to reimagine healthcare with patients at the center.