You Have the Right to Be Heard: How Lidia Molinara is Redefining Family Health Advocacy

In a world where navigating healthcare can feel overwhelming, Lidia Molinara is a powerful voice of clarity, compassion, and empowerment. As a pharmacist with over 30 years of experience and the founder of Moms Healthcare Navigator, Lidia has made it her mission to teach parents and caregivers how to confidently advocate for their families. Her journey began at a young age, translating medical instructions for her mother—an experience that sparked a lifelong passion for medication safety and effective communication. Today, she’s combining professional expertise with personal insight to ensure that no one feels helpless in a medical setting.

In this inspiring interview, Lidia sits down with Stacey Chillemi to discuss the critical importance of health advocacy, how to speak up without fear, and why communication is often the missing link in patient safety. She introduces her powerful ACE Method—Advocate, Communicate, Educate—and shares real-life stories that illustrate how advocacy can save lives. From creating family health journals to navigating emergencies with confidence, Lidia offers tangible tools and heartfelt wisdom for anyone looking to take control of their healthcare journey.

Thank you so much for joining us, Lidia! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your backstory?
Thank you so much for having me. My journey into healthcare began long before I became a pharmacist. As a young girl, I often accompanied my mom—who spoke only broken English—to the pharmacy. I became her translator. One day, a pharmacist emphasized how important it was that I accurately explain the instructions to her, because miscommunication could result in harm. That moment left a mark on me. It opened my eyes to the power of communication in healthcare and how vital it is for patients to understand what’s being prescribed to them.

As I moved through my career and later became a mother, that lesson stayed with me. I’ve been a pharmacist for over 30 years, and in that time, I’ve seen the gaps in our healthcare system—especially in communication. Whether it’s a parent unsure how to advocate for their child in the emergency room, or a caregiver lost in a maze of medical jargon, these moments happen every day. My passion for advocacy was ignited by those personal experiences and the countless real-life stories I encountered in my career. That’s what led me to create Moms Healthcare Navigator.

What is Moms Healthcare Navigator, and what inspired you to create it?
Moms Healthcare Navigator is an initiative I founded to help caregivers—especially moms—learn how to navigate the healthcare system with confidence. It’s built on the idea that everyone deserves to be educated, heard, and involved in their healthcare decisions. The inspiration really came from a defining moment when my own daughter was hospitalized at just nine months old. I caught a serious dosing error that could’ve harmed her. That experience shook me. I realized that the only reason I caught it was because I had the knowledge. But what about all the parents who don’t have a pharmacy background?

That’s when it became clear to me: this knowledge needs to be shared. I want to empower moms and caregivers with the tools and confidence to advocate effectively, ask the right questions, and ensure the safety of their loved ones.

How would you define health advocacy?
Health advocacy, to me, is about removing barriers that prevent people from speaking up. It’s about feeling empowered to voice your concerns—even if you’re uncertain or intimidated. Advocacy isn’t about being aggressive or confrontational. It’s about being clear, assertive, and involved. As caregivers, especially moms, we often second-guess ourselves. We worry that asking questions might upset the doctor or lead to poorer care. But staying silent is often where harm begins.

Advocacy is rooted in communication—being able to say, “This doesn’t feel right,” or “Can you explain that again?” It’s knowing what to ask, understanding the answers, and taking an active role in monitoring care. It’s your right to be involved in your health and your family’s well-being.

Why do people often struggle to speak up in medical settings? And what questions should they be asking?
I think a big reason is that healthcare feels like a foreign language. People feel overwhelmed, especially when emotions are running high or when they’re facing complex medical information. We’ve been conditioned to trust the “experts,” which is important, but it can lead us to believe we shouldn’t ask questions or challenge recommendations.

But in reality, doctors and healthcare providers want engaged patients. We just need to shift our mindset from being passive recipients of care to active participants. You don’t need to know everything—you just need to ask.

Ask questions like: What’s the diagnosis? What’s the treatment plan? Why is this treatment necessary? What should I watch for at home? What would make me return to the hospital? How long should I take this medication? Are there any side effects I should be aware of?

It’s about seeking clarity and being prepared. Understanding what to expect allows you to monitor changes and catch errors if something isn’t aligning with the plan.

Can you walk us through your ACE Method?
Of course! ACE stands for Advocate, Communicate, and Educate.

Advocate: This is about speaking up with confidence. It means being involved, asking questions, and making sure your voice is heard—especially when something doesn’t feel right.

Communicate: This means being a clear and concise historian. When you talk to a doctor or nurse, be specific about symptoms. Track what’s been happening, when it started, how it progressed. It’s helpful to write things down or even take recordings. It’s very easy to forget details in the moment, especially when you’re stressed.

Educate: This step is all about doing your research. Use reliable resources to understand your treatment, medications, and diagnoses. Know what the medication looks like, what it’s meant to do, how to take it, and what to watch for. This part is crucial because it helps you catch mistakes and ask informed questions.

What inspired you to focus specifically on moms and caregivers?
Honestly, it came from a deeply personal place. When my daughter was hospitalized as a baby, I had to fight through exhaustion, fear, and anxiety to ask the nurse how they calculated her dose. That was hard. I was scared and unsure, but I knew something didn’t feel right. That experience made me think—what if I didn’t have the knowledge I had as a pharmacist?

And then I met a mom who lost her 8-year-old son due to a medication error. Her story devastated me. I realized how important it is to equip parents with the tools they need to advocate confidently. No one should have to carry the weight of “What if I had asked more questions?”

In situations where emotions run high—especially in hospitals—how do you recommend parents stay engaged and involved?
It starts with staying calm and grounded. I always say: assertive, not aggressive. Speak with clarity, not confrontation. Anger often leads to resistance, but clarity leads to action. Let the healthcare team know, “I’m concerned, I need to be heard, and I want to understand what’s happening.” That kind of language opens doors.

There’s no such thing as “too involved” when it comes to your child’s health. You have every right to ask: What medication is this? What’s the dose? Why is it being given? Pull out your phone, calculate the dose by weight, check reputable resources, and make sure it aligns. You are the last line of defense before anything is administered.

How does holistic health factor into the advocacy conversation?
This is an important point. Whether it’s a prescription medication or an herbal supplement—it’s still a form of treatment. Just because something is plant-based doesn’t mean it’s risk-free. For example, St. John’s Wort can interfere with other medications or medical conditions.

I encourage people to do their due diligence. Ask: What are the side effects? Will this interact with anything else I’m taking? What’s the evidence behind this treatment? You need to approach holistic and conventional medicine with the same mindset—curiosity, caution, and clarity.

What are some reliable resources patients can turn to for information?
My go-to sites are:

• MayoClinic.org for understanding conditions, symptoms, and treatments.
• WebMD.com for general health topics.
• The drug manufacturer’s official site for accurate prescribing information and side effects.
• Google Images for checking what a new medication should look like—this can help you verify that the right drug is being dispensed.

These resources are a great starting point, but I always recommend discussing any findings with a healthcare provider to put everything into context.

What is the “communication gap” you often see in healthcare, and how can patients close it?
The gap happens when patients assume that information has been shared between doctors, nurses, and departments—but in reality, it hasn’t. Details get lost during handoffs, especially in hospitals. That’s why I say: you are the center of the information. Know your treatment plan. Write it down. Bring your notes to every appointment. Clarify the diagnosis, the medication, the dose, and the follow-up plan. That’s how you close the gap—by becoming the bridge between each provider.

What are some common mistakes caregivers make when navigating healthcare?
One is not writing things down. In high-stress situations, your memory isn’t reliable. Take notes or record your conversations with permission. Another is downplaying symptoms or being too vague. Saying “I think I had a headache a few days ago” isn’t helpful. Be specific: “I had a headache on Tuesday evening, it lasted three hours, and it came back on Thursday.” That level of detail makes all the difference in diagnosis.

Can you tell us more about the family health journal and why it’s essential?
A family health journal is like a medical profile for each family member. It includes allergies, medication history, vaccinations, weight, height, and any previous adverse reactions. In emergencies, this information is gold. Whether it’s a babysitter, teacher, or grandparent—having quick access to that information can prevent dangerous mistakes.

It doesn’t have to be fancy. Even a notebook will do. Just keep it updated and accessible.

What services are you currently offering through Moms Healthcare Navigator?
Right now, I’m building up my social media platforms to share helpful tips and engage with caregivers. I’m also working on a comprehensive eBook, a printable family health journal, and a course that goes deeper into how to navigate different parts of the healthcare system. The course will cover everything from dentist visits to emergency care to health insurance navigation. It’s all about helping caregivers feel confident and informed.

Where can our readers find you online and stay connected to your work?
You can find me on Instagram at @momshealthcarenavigator, and my website is www.lidiamolinara.com. That’s where I’ll be posting updates on my upcoming journal, eBook, and online course.

Before we wrap up, do you have a final message you’d like to share about health advocacy?
Absolutely. I want everyone to know that you have the right to be an active participant in your care or your child’s care. It’s not about knowing everything—it’s about asking questions, trusting your instincts, and understanding your role in the process. Advocacy isn’t optional—it’s essential. And once you learn how to do it, it becomes empowering, not intimidating.

Thank you so much for this deeply meaningful conversation. I know our readers are walking away with practical tools, heartfelt guidance, and a renewed sense of confidence when it comes to navigating healthcare.

Thank you, Stacey. I’m truly grateful to be here and to have the chance to share this message. Empowering caregivers and helping families feel seen and supported means the world to me. I appreciate the opportunity to connect with your audience—it’s been a wonderful experience.