Meet NAHAC's Board of Directors
NAHAC is a 501c3 voluntary organization that continues to lead the development of the field of health care advocacy through the dedicated efforts of its Board of Directors. Board members come from both outside and within the profession of health care advocacy. They volunteer their time and expertise to NAHAC to help grow and support the advocate community as it continues to mature.
Carey Kempton, MBA | President of the Board
In her advocacy practice, Carey focuses on the financial side of healthcare, solving health insurance and medical bill problems for clients. Carey’s previous work experience in healthcare and small business marketing have developed her skills as a communicator - both with and between different stakeholders – a skill that she draws on daily in her health care advocacy work.
Carey is a founding member of NAHAC’s first Regional Group - Massachusetts Health Care Advocates (MAHCA). She initiated the group in an effort to bring together local, independent health care advocates to leverage their skills and experience and to promote the profession of advocacy.
She holds an MBA from Northeastern University and a health insurance license from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Ailene Gerhardt, MA, BCPA | Vice-President
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Ailene is an Independent Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) and founder of Beacon Patient Solutions LLC. She works with individual clients in need of assistance navigating the complexities of the healthcare system and offers community education talks and classes on a wide array of healthcare advocacy topics.
Ailene earned her undergraduate degree from Clark University and her master’s degree from Brandeis University. The experience as her mother’s primary health advocate led Ailene to a career change and her calling as a private patient advocate.
Ailene completed her Professional Certificate in Consumer Health Advocacy at the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Patient Partnerships in August 2017, founded Beacon Patient Solutions LLC in February 2018, and earned her Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) credential in April 2018. Ailene serves on the Steering Committee of Massachusetts Healthcare Advocates (MAHCA), the first regional affiliate of NAHAC.
Anya Petersen-Frey, MBA | Interim Treasurer
Anya Petersen-Frey is a finance and operational professional who thrives on creative strategy and has a laser focus on customer service. She is a presenter at local, regional, and national business conferences and strives to challenge audiences to leverage their focus and pay attention to what matters most at work and in life.
In 2020, she faced a personal trauma that was life altering, and she continues to explore how trauma (collective or personal) affects leadership style, and has embraced becoming a patient advocate.
Anya holds an MBA and has completed her coursework for a PhD in business administration. She has certification in Data Analytics from Cornell University, and is a Society of Human Resource Management Senior Certified Professional in human resources.
In her spare time, Anya and her dog, Kia, are a certified therapy team, and she enjoys hiking, cycling, and traveling, both locally and abroad.
Stacey Batista, MD, BCPA | Secretary
Stacey is a graduate of Tufts School of Medicine and began working as a health advocate in 2017. She worked out of her own practice - Sirona Health Advocates - for four years and recently closed her practice to become a health advisor with PinnacleCare. Her knowledge and training as a physician along with the experience of supporting family and loved ones through serious illnesses has impressed upon her the need and importance of health advocacy through all levels of our healthcare system.
She is passionate about promoting the profession and is also a member of the Massachusetts Health Care Advocates, the first regional affiliate of NAHAC.
Pamela Brody, BA, BCPA
Pamela is an independent Board Certified Patient Advocate, Cancer and Wellness coach and Certified Strength Trainer. She is the co-chair of the NAHAC Education webinar series and on the Communications and Outreach Committee of the Bay Area Health Care Advocates (BAHCA), NAHAC’s second regional affiliate. She has dedicated her time to advocating for adolescents and adults with medical, mental health, substance abuse and eating disorder challenges.
Catherine Marshall, MS, BCPA
After 15 years in leadership roles at a large pharmaceutical company, Catherine’s life took a dramatic shift as she embarked on a new venture, Calliope Patient Advocates, an independent patient advocacy practice focused on seniors and individuals with multiple chronic and complex medical conditions.
She is driven by a passion to help patients not only get access to the healthcare to which they are entitled, but also to ensure they have a voice in their own care. Catherine is a Board Certified Patient Advocate, BCPA, and holds a certificate in Patient Advocacy from UCLA.
In addition to her BCPA credential, Catherine holds an MS in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a BS in Management and Computer Science from Boston College.
Laura Sauter, BA
Laura is a Boston-based designer and branding expert. She is an award-winning leader in the field of marketing known for coining the concept of “Conscious Brands”. Her firm, Agency Bel, helps clients succeed through a focus on being responsive and responsible to their customers and communities.
Laura taught design for over 11 years and served on the Board of the Boston Chapter of the American Institute of Art (AIGA) for ten spearheading their professional development series.
NAHAC welcomes support of its Board activities from NAHAC members on four committees - Education, Membership, Finance/Governance and Marketing Communications. We invite you active participation and input. Your unique experience, time and talent could make a significant difference in the practice of health care advocacy going forward.
If you are interested in working with the NAHAC Board on one of these committees, please send a message to admin@nahac.com.