Ilana Jacqueline is a nationally recognized author, speaker, and Senior Director of Influencer Marketing at Meraki Social and Believe LTD. A leader at the intersection of healthcare advocacy, rare disease storytelling, and digital strategy, she is best known for her groundbreaking work on medical gaslighting and her ability to transform patient voices into powerful campaigns that reach millions.
As the author of Medical Gaslighting: How to Get the Care You Deserve in a System That Makes You Fight for Your Life (Penguin Random House, 2024) and Surviving and Thriving with an Invisible Chronic Illness (2018), Ilana has become a trusted voice for patients navigating the healthcare system. Her advocacy and thought leadership have been featured in national magazines, talk shows, and across major digital platforms, where her content has gone viral with millions of views.
Drawing from her unique dual perspective as both a patient and strategist, Ilana partners with healthcare companies, biotech firms, and non-profits to design social media campaigns that empower patients and elevate awareness of complex medical issues. She has served as Director of Patient Advocacy for multiple biotechs, written as a health columnist, and now leads influencer marketing strategies that integrate patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals into authentic, impactful storytelling.
Her achievements have earned her international recognition, including nominations for the EURORDIS Social Media Award (2024) and the Reuters Patient Champion Award (2022), as well as winning the Rare Disease Difference Maker Award from Engage Health.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ilana continues to build community through social media, where she educates and entertains audiences with her sharp, relatable content—from decoding HIPAA to introducing Gen Z and Gen Alpha to the realities of chronic illness.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Richard, and their two beloved poodles, Kugel and Houdini.
FAQ
Q: Can I hire Ilana as my own personal patient advocate?
A: Ilana is not available to take on individual cases. In fact, her work is intended to reduce the need for professional advocates and to help patients be their own best advocate. Her belief that patients can learn and utilize the skills they need to effectively represent themselves in the exam room is backed by her commitment to make her educational advocacy free and accessible. Her social content is publicly available and her books (both print, audiobook, and e-book versions) are available through libraries nationwide. She also accepts questions via direct message on Instagram.
Q: Is Ilana a doctor?
A: Ilana is NOT a doctor or a medical professional of any kind. Which is why she never gives medical advice. Being a patient advocate means Ilana teaches patients how to represent themselves, collaborate with their healthcare team, and make smart and informed choices about their care.
Q: Does Ilana have her own organization?
A: Currently, Ilana does not have a non-profit organization, though she does serve on boards for different non-profits from time to time.
Q: Does Ilana have a gofundme?
A: Ilana does not have a gofundme or any other fundraising site for herself. If you see something that looks like it’s from her, please report it to IlanaWrites@gmail.com