You deserve to be heard

Despite working in healthcare as a nurse, I was overwhelmed when I was diagnosed with a condition that I was told required surgery. I felt stuck trying to understand what the decision would mean for my quality of life. My initial visit with my surgeon felt rushed and intimidating, and a surgery date was scheduled during that initial appointment before I even fully understood the risks or alternatives. I knew at that moment that I needed someone with expertise in my corner. Being able to speak with Dr. Kore in an unhurried setting gave me such comfort and helped me organize my thoughts and understand which questions actually mattered. And when I asked those questions, my care team confirmed less invasive treatment options. Those options better aligned with my priorities around recovery and returning to work. This experience left me feeling more relieved and more confident about how to move forward. 

My medical care was pretty straightforward for many years, but then things got complicated very fast. I was diagnosed with two different cancers, and suddenly there were a lot of appointments and decisions to keep track of. Dr. Kore helped me go over what my doctors were saying, and she even joined appointments to help me understand what was being recommended. 

In one case, she caught that a medication I was given for blood clots in my lungs was meant to be continued long term, which hadn’t been clearly explained to me and which I would have stopped after the initial prescription. She also realized that follow-up scans for one of my cancers hadn’t been ordered when they were supposed to be and suggested I message my doctors about it. It really helped to know I had a physician I trusted paying attention to the details and looking out for me during a very challenging time.

Since I’ve become my mother’s full time caregiver, I’ve seen how grueling it is to get the proper healthcare she deserves. We’ve been through constant hurdles to get proper direction from her healthcare team. When my mother was hospitalized for fluid overload, Dr. Kore was on the phone with us every time a physician stepped into the room. She was able to explain the lab results and the next steps that we need to take. When Dr. Kore wasn’t available to talk on the phone, she would text me what I needed to ask the doctor and I would relay it back to her. She provided my mother with reassurance and comfort in her most dire time. Comfort no hospital can match. When my mother was being bombarded with possible treatment options and medications she couldn’t pronounce, Dr. Kore was there to translate everything. Having a physician advocate with you to be there by your side is a relief no medication can give you. My family deeply appreciates the work Dr. Kore has done for us.

Following a major surgical procedure six months earlier, I began experiencing concerning symptoms again last fall. Having already completed my final post-operative clearance—and after recently moving to a new state—it was nearly impossible to access care outside of urgent care, where my symptoms were not considered emergent. I was eager to speak with a physician who could evaluate my symptoms in the context of my full medical history and help me understand how to advocate for myself. That’s where Imria’s physician made a meaningful difference. After taking the time to fully understand my history, she guided me through obtaining my prior medical records and advocating for appropriate follow-up imaging. She then helped interpret the results and suggested thoughtful follow-up questions, giving me both clarity and peace of mind. By the time I was able to see my new doctor, I felt prepared—armed with the right data and the right questions. Feeling seen, heard, and supported throughout the process was an enormous relief.