Better Health Advisors - A Plan for Better Healthcare

What People Say

It isn’t me anymore, fighting all the time to get good care. I'm not alone.

—Erica, client 2016

I faced having my foot amputated. I was devastated and didn't know what to do. A friend recommended I speak with John and that's where my story changed 180 degrees. Within 24 hours, John and I had a new plan, giving me access to a specialist whose expertise saved my foot. Rapid assessment and action removed the threat of amputation. And for me, better prospects and better health.

—Thomas, client since 2016

I do not feel expert enough to manage my healthcare on my own. John sets up appointments and attends them with me as my tireless advocate whenever I feel the need. If there is confusion or a problem, he asks the right questions, and finds the quickest way to a solution that I'm comfortable with.

—Alexandra, client since 2017

John's team gathered the critical details of my condition. They validated my treatment plan, explaining to me in plain English why I needed the tests they recommended. Thanks to their evaluation, plan and ongoing support, I felt confident and in control throughout the whole process.

—Dan, client since 2015

I have worked in healthcare for 15 years and consider myself to be well educated and proactive about my own health - but when I recently received a very serious diagnosis, I reached out to John. I knew that his vast knowledge and understanding of healthcare systems and providers, but more importantly, his compassion and understanding of the patient experience, would make him an invaluable source of guidance during my own health care crisis. He can expertly - and kindly - help navigate the often overwhelming challenges in obtaining quality care and treatment.

—Jane, Healthcare Professional, NYC

For the first time in a very long while, I really feel like I have someone on my side, and it is such a relief to know that I can let my guard down, allow myself to be sick and make a mistake or forget some detail, and know that everything isn’t going to fall apart because for right now, it isn’t just me alone anymore, having to fight all the time to get good care, be on top of my bizarre and degenerative disease so I have the best chance of a decent life, make decisions alone, etc. I just can’t adequately share the relief I am feeling tonight, and that is all because of you. Thank you. Truly.

—Erica, Executive, NYC

On several occasions, when I was unsure what to do, I contacted John to help me manage my parent's health care. My father lives in South Carolina and has had several serious illnesses in the past year. Each time I contacted John, he was accessible and guided us to navigate the complex hospitals and nursing homes in South Carolina. He quickly gave us expert advice on how to coordinate care for my father. He even joined calls with our nurse and doctors to make sure that all the right questions were asked when my father was going from the hospital to a rehabilitation facility. Even though I live far away from my parents, I rested assured that my father was getting great medical care.

—William, Executive New York City

While every day seemed to present a new challenge, the team was there with us every step of the way to answer questions and provide guidance. Their expertise and support was invaluable to us in a critical time when we were struggling to navigate a health care system we didn't understand, and at the same time we needed objective advice from a trusted source. The pre-planning before his hospitalization was especially important as we were able to get things in order while we still had time. I highly recommend anyone with aging parents to consult with Better Health as early as possible to understand their options and be prepared with the best level of care for their parents if and when the need arises.

—Dorit M, 48, Israel

What We Do

Better Health Advisors is an independent company and is not affiliated with any organizations or facilities. We have strong relationships with medical providers all over the country.

Whether your goal is to tackle a diagnosis or to maintain good health, we can create an actionable plan for you, with you. Our plans are seamless, dynamic and easy to understand.

Your strategy and activation are created by John, his Senior Advisors, and the Better Health Medical Advisory Board

Navigation

We get you appointments with top doctors - fast
We choose the best health insurance plans for your specific health and wellness needs
We navigate the intricacies and bureaucracy of your insurance and can help manage claims
We help you get more out of your insurance coverage to minimize your out of pocket costs

Healthcare

We conduct a comprehensive health assessment including: a review of your current health, health history and medical team, then we make recommendations on how to proceed
We recommend the right team of doctors for your unique needs
We evaluate your doctors’ treatment recommendations and secure second opinions when needed
We provide clear explanations of test results and treatment options
We investigate any diagnosis, no matter how complex
We provide case management for individuals of all ages, including geriatrics
We work with our doctors ensure you get the right care and attention in every healthcare environment including the ER

Support

We coordinate care between doctors and other health providers
We accompany you to key appointments to ensure that every aspect of your care is taken into account
We handle all care transitions and communicate key medical information
We identify top doctors and other wellness experts: physical therapists, home health aides, nutritionists, etc.

Family Offices

Better Health Advisors believes that great collaborations are key to preserving both wealth and health. We collaborate with trustee and estate attorneys, business managers, wealth advisors, and others at family offices. We work in unison with your family office team to coordinate your healthcare and make sure you have access to the best doctors and hospitals.

BHA currently serves family offices across the United States. We have clients located in New York City, Boston, Greenwich, Palm Beach, Naples, Palo Alto, Santa Barbara, and Austin. If your family office is looking for a health advisor, we encourage you to reach out to BHA for expert insights with the utmost in confidentiality.

We offer the following services to our family office clients:

Comprehensive review and evaluation of the family’s medical care, wellness, and insurance coverage

Creation of customized health plans designed to address your family’s current healthcare needs while also anticipating and providing for future needs

Support family members with expert point-of-care advice during critical treatments and procedures

Coordinate and integrate services from doctors, nurses, and other healthcare providers

Solicit second opinions by selecting the right specialists and arranging appointments

Identify top doctors and treatment programs that best suit your family’s needs

Collaborate with your family’s existing medical and advisory team to ensure you get the best care while maintaining your privacy

Who We Serve

We serve individuals and families as well as corporations. Our corporate clients include, RFG Wealth Management, Allective, Hogan Security Group, Clear Employer Services, Good Company Unlimited and MACK Communications.

Meet the Better Health Advisors team

John M. Samuels, MPH

Founder & CEO

For over 20 years, John has served as a senior healthcare leader in New York City’s top hospitals, including Northwell Health (formerly known as North Shore LIJ) and Mount Sinai Beth Israel. John’s tenure in healthcare is marked by a ceaseless effort to improve patient care and satisfaction.

Read Full Bio

For over 20 years, John has served as a senior healthcare leader in New York City’s top hospitals including Northwell Health (formerly known as North Shore LIJ) and Mount Sinai Beth Israel. Responsible for the operation of 16 emergency departments and a rapidly expanding network of urgent care centers, he sat at the helm of a system that touched nearly 800,000 lives per year.

John’s tenure in healthcare is marked by a ceaseless effort to improve patient care and satisfaction. This includes implementing staff training programs, managing surges to emergency rooms, reducing the time it takes to see a doctor, creating Alzheimer’s programs and many more innovations.

Through his two decades of work in hospitals, John has developed relationships with top doctors and facilities, and has strong connections with major hospitals all over the country. In 2016, he founded Better Health Advisors, a national healthcare advisory practice based out of New York City. As chief advisor, John uses his extensive healthcare experience and wide network of medical professionals to achieve the best possible care for his clients.

John earned his Masters of Public Health from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and graduated from the Academy of Healthcare Leadership Advancement at Cornell University. He is a licensed nursing home administrator in New York and New Jersey. John formerly served on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants, the country’s foremost organization for patient-centered approach to medicine, which advocates for rigorous standards in assisting patients with medical decisions. He was recently named the Chief Medical Administrator and advisory board member for the State Trooper Surgeons of the New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association, and he serves on the board of directors for Mary McDowell Friends Academy, the Phillips School of Nursing at Mount Sinai Medical Center, and the Sepsis Alliance.

Return to Short Bio

Christine Imperato, MHA

Senior Advisor

Boston

Christine is a seasoned healthcare executive with over 23 years of experience working in Boston’s academic medical centers. In addition to her extensive experience in hospital administration and operations, most recently at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Christine’s portfolio also includes medical record implementation, Joint Commission Readiness and Client Service expertise for a start-up. Christine holds a Masters in Health Care Administration from Simmons College and a Bachelors of Arts degree from Boston College.

Beverly Shenkman, M.A., M.Ed

Senior Advisor

New York

Beverly Shenkman comes to the Better Health Advisory team after 35 years of experience in healthcare. She specialized in focusing on the mental health of her patients and the impact of medical issues. She has worked closely with treatment teams in major hospitals throughout New York City, including Mt Sinai, New York Presbyterian,New York University and Beth Israel. Beverly received a double Masters degree from Columbia University in Psychology and Rehabilitation Counseling.

Anne Herlick MSN,
FNP-BC

Senior Advisor

New York

Anne Herlick is an experienced Family Nurse Practitioner with more than 20 years of clinical experience. She has worked in both primary care and at well-known hospital centers. Prior to her current job at Barnard College in Primary Care Health Service, she was the Women's Health Division Supervisor at the William F Ryan Community Health Center in New York City. Anne has also worked at the Columbia University Medical Center, located in New York City, in Gynecology Oncology, as well as at the former Center for Women's Health. Anne has experience working in Health Education through her tenure at the Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City. Anne completed her training in Colposcopy from the University of Pennsylvania, located in Philadelphia.

Julie Livingstone

Advisor

New York

Julie Livingstone joined the Better Health Advisors team in 2020 while earning her Master of Health Administration (MHA) degree from Columbia University. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Michigan. Julie has experience working at Pfizer Inc. where she managed samples and aided in robotic aliquoting to optimize procedures for clinical studies. She also has experience conducting market research at a health technology startup.

Marti Jo McCoy, LCSW

Senior Advisor

Florida

Marti has over 35 years experience working with individuals and their families from across the life span. She combines a comprehensive approach with her commitment to extensive research and investigation that ultimately allows her to offer the best and most effective options for those in her care. Marti received her Master’s degrees in Social Work from the University of Hawaii and also studied at Northeastern University and Boston University. She has had formal training in developmental geriatrics and pediatrics, genetics, assessments, issues related to vision and/or hearing loss, aging and long-term care, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Lee Mulert, MBA, MS, CSA

Senior Advisor

Chicago

As a Health Advocate, my objective is to work with patients, their families and/or caretakers who are facing health crises. This allows me to meld my counseling skills with over 35 years of extensive knowledge and experience with the healthcare field. I have a strong interest in helping those who face healthcare crises to identify & address the plethora of psycho-social issues that bombard them from multiple directions. I am intuitive and have a “helper” personality, which is useful in guiding clients and their families to positive resolution.

Adrienne Blassberg-Milich, MSN,FNP-BC

Senior Advisor

New York

Adrienne Blassberg-Milich is a Family Nurse Practitioner with over 25 years of experience in Primary Care and Home Care. Along with her current work in school health, Adrienne provides comprehensive primary care to the home bound population. She previously served as the Assistant Coordinator for Patient and Community Education at Montefiore-Nyack Hospital where she also provided inpatient and outpatient diabetes consultation. Prior to this, she worked at the Montefiore-Nyack Hospital Women’s Diagnostic and Wellness Center. Adrienne began her career as a Registered Nurse at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City and received her graduate degree from Columbia University. She is also a Certified Diabetes Educator credentialed by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators.

Emily Ward

Social Worker

New York

Emily Ward has recently joined Better Health Advisors. She is currently obtaining her Masters of Social Work at Columbia University where she aims to work in a clinical setting after graduation. Previously, she received her Bachelor's at the University at Albany where she majored in Psychology and minored in Education and Economics. She has previous experience working as a research assistant in various labs, where Emily administered EEG tests and helped to create more effective therapeutic interventions. Emily aims to utilize her social work background to create a holistic approach as a well-rounded health advocate.

Medical Advisory Board

David Bernard, MD, FACP, FRCP (UK), FCP(SA)

David Bernard is a board-certified nephrologist. He is currently the Chief Medical Officer at the CHEAR Center, and an Honorary Attending Physician at Mt. Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center. Over his almost 50-year career, Dr. Bernard has held numerous clinical, executive and academic positions.

Elizabeth Worley, MD

Beth Worley is an attending physician in the Department of Pediatrics at Jacobi Medical Center and an Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She previously joined the clinical faculty of Stanford University School of Medicine and she has a strong interest in global health.

Jaspal Ricky Singh, MD

Dr. Jaspal Ricky Singh is the Medical Director of Outpatient Faculty Practice in the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and the Co-Director of the Weill Cornell Spine Center. Dr. Singh is a triple-board certified physician specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine and Pain Medicine.

Kerry Knievel, DO

Kerry Knievel is a Neurologist at Barrow Neurological Institute. Board Certified in Neurology and in Neuromuscular Medicine, Kerry is the director of the Barrow Headache Program, the Jan & Tom Lewis Migraine Treatment Program, and the in-patient neurology services at Barrow Neurological Institute.

Dr. Louis Vogel, MD

Louis Vogel has been a practicing Dermatologist for almost 30 years, during which time he has successfully treated thousands of patients of almost every condition and type. He is board certified in both Internal Medicine and Dermatology, and is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at New York University Medical College.

Mental Health Medical Advisors

Stanley Perelman, PhD

Dr. Perelman is a knowledgeable Psychologist with over 40 years of experience in private practice as well as consulting and community mental health. Stanley received his PhD from the University of Pittsburgh and has worked in private practice since 1980. In his private practice, Stanley’s clinical work has focused on psychotherapy and Jungian Analysis. Prior to working in private practice, Stanley worked at the University of Pittsburgh Counseling Center, Southwest Communities MH/MR, Pittsburgh Center for Psychotherapy, and WPIC- all in the Pittsburgh area with a clinical focus on psychotherapy with students, adults and couples with a variety of life problems.

Patti Juliana, Ph.D., LCSW

Patti Juliana, Ph.D., LCSW, has over 30 years of experience in the field of drug and alcohol addiction Treatment. Throughout her career, Dr. Juliana has integrated and coordinated comprehensive treatment services to address a wide range of behavioral health. She has served on many substance abuse-related councils, task forces, and committees, including several of the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. She has conducted research studies at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Mount Sinai Beth Israel Medical Center and has been published in a variety of journals and textbooks on issues related to families and substance abuse. Dr. Juliana currently provides technical assistance to programs and states seeking to address the opioid crisis, and she maintains a private practice.

Owen Muir, MD

Dr. Muir is the Medical Director at Brooklyn Minds, a comprehensive mental health treatment center in New York City. He is a graduate of Amherst College and received his Medical Degree from The University of Rochester School of Medicine. He is board-certified in adult and child and adolescent psychiatry. He completed his adult psychiatry residency at the Hosftra-Northwell School of Medicine at the Zucker Hillside Hospital and completed his child psychiatry fellowship at NYU School of Medicine. He is a clinical assistant professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and is on the faculty at Rockland Children's Psychiatric Center. He is a visiting lecturer at the Pratt School of Design. He has a prior appointment of Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry at Hofstra-Northwell SOM. Dr. Muir is one of the few official supervisors in North America in a modality called Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) for adults.

Great healthcare doesn’t just happen.

The Better Health Advisors Process

ASSESSMENT

STRATEGY

ACTIVATION

ONGOING SUPPORT

What People Say