Who will speak for you, when you’re not able to speak for yourself?
When you choose someone to serve as your Medical POOA, you are choosing the person who may one day need to navigate some of the most important healthcare decisions of your life.
“Even when you have clearly documented your wishes, someone still needs to be there to understand them, communicate with your healthcare team, ask questions, weigh information, and advocate for what you would want.
Your wishes deserve more than a document. They deserve someone prepared to carry them forward.”
In Virginia, there is a process for making healthcare decisions when someone is no longer able to make or communicate their own decisions. Advance care planning gives you the opportunity to be intentional about your wishes while you are able to make those choices for yourself.
Choosing your healthcare decision-maker is about more than simply putting a name on a document. Consider who you would trust to carry out your wishes with commitment, ability, compassion, and knowledge.
A Medical POA is ultimately about trust—but it is also about presence, preparedness, communication, and follow-through. Take the time to understand your options, ask questions, and choose an advocate whose approach aligns with the kind of support and oversight you want for yourself.
Having open conversations, documenting your wishes, and thoughtfully designating someone you trust can help ensure that your voice remains at the center of your care—even when you may no longer be able to speak for yourself.
My background in Intensive Care Nursing, combined with my deep commitment to dignity and compassionate care throughout serious illness and end of life, has led me down a unique path: serving as a Professional Agent Under Medical Power of Attorney.
How do I serve you as your Medical Power of Attorney?
A trusted, clinically experienced professional to make healthcare decisions on your behalf when you cannot—ensuring your wishes are honored with clarity and care.
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As your appointed Medical Power of Attorney (MPOA), I may serve as your healthcare decision-maker if you become unable to make or communicate your own medical decisions. My role is to understand your values, wishes, and advance care planning documents and advocate for care that is consistent with them.
Depending on your individual circumstances and the scope of our agreement, my role may involve:
Serving as your legally appointed healthcare agent and medical decision-maker
Communicating with physicians, specialists, hospitals, hospice providers, long-term care communities, and other members of your care team
Reviewing and helping interpret medical information so that healthcare decisions can be made thoughtfully and with a clear understanding of your options
Communicating and coordinating with your Financial Power of Attorney, care managers, attorneys, and other professionals when healthcare decisions intersect with financial, legal, or care-planning considerations
Supporting healthcare transitions, which may include home care, rehabilitation, assisted living, skilled nursing, hospice, or end-of-life care
Advocating for your documented wishes, values, preferences, and quality-of-life goals
Providing a calm, knowledgeable presence during serious illness, changing health circumstances, or complex medical decisions
Helping maintain communication, continuity, and appropriate oversight as your healthcare needs evolve
Where appropriate and authorized by applicable documents, helping communicate and support the care needs of those you leave behind
Every individual and situation is different. The specific services, availability, communication, and level of involvement provided will be discussed and defined as part of your individual service agreement.
If you are considering a professional Medical POA, I welcome the opportunity to answer your questions and help you understand what this type of service may look like for you.
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Professional Medical POA services may be a good fit for individuals and families who want thoughtful, knowledgeable support with healthcare decision-making and advocacy.
This service may be particularly helpful for:
Individuals without a trusted person available to serve as their Medical POA — including those who may not have family or friends who are able, willing, or prepared to take on the responsibility.
Individuals who want an experienced healthcare advocate — someone who can become familiar with their wishes, values, and healthcare preferences and advocate on their behalf when needed.
Families navigating serious illness or end-of-life care — when medical decisions can become complex and families may benefit from an experienced healthcare professional involved in the process.
Adult children supporting aging parents — particularly when distance, work, family responsibilities, or the complexity of healthcare make it difficult to be as involved as they would like.
Financial Power of Attorney agents — who may benefit from collaborating with a healthcare professional when medical needs and care decisions intersect with financial considerations and long-term planning.
Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorneys — who are looking for a knowledgeable RN professional to collaborate with and support clients with healthcare advocacy and medical decision-making needs.
Every person's circumstances are different. A conversation can help determine whether professional Medical POA services may be appropriate for you or someone you care about.
