How Tiffany Ryder is Fixing Healthcare’s Broken Playbook: From NFL Cheerleader to Emergency Medicine PA
In this episode of the All Things LOCS podcast—where we explore Leadership, Operations, Culture, and Strategies for growth—we sit down with a guest who embodies resilience and reinvention: Tiffany Ryder. From NFL cheerleader to emergency medicine physician associate, Tiffany’s journey is anything but conventional. What makes her story especially relevant today is her unwavering mission to empower patients, challenge the norms of the health care system, and advocate for more accountable healthcare leadership.
A Story of Rejection, Resilience, and Reinvention
Tiffany’s story began in a rural Louisiana town, where access to healthcare professionals was sparse and medical literacy even more so. But her real turning point came years later when she set an audacious goal: to become an NFL cheerleader.
“I tried out for three different teams—the Eagles, the Redskins, and the Ravens—and didn’t even make it past the first cut,” she recalled.
The rejection could have ended her dream. Instead, it triggered something deeper. After receiving candid feedback to improve her fitness, Tiffany was also diagnosed with prediabetes and PCOS. Her transformation to meet the physical demands of cheerleading ended up reversing her diagnoses.
“Magically, all of these diagnoses just disappeared... That was sort of my first clue: why are we telling patients they don’t have power when clearly they do?”
How Personal Health Challenges Inspired Tiffany Ryder’s Healthcare Leadership
Tiffany’s experience with weight loss and improved health sparked a critical question: Why are patients told to passively wait for worsening conditions instead of being empowered with actionable strategies for better health outcomes?
Her answer was to enter medicine herself—not just as a practitioner, but as a reformer.
“I’m not special... It’s literally just being so darn stubborn that I will not quit.”
That grit helped her push through medical school and into emergency medicine. But once inside the system, she saw entrenched problems—ones not just impacting patient care, but burning out providers as well.
Why Healthcare Organizational Culture Must Change
Tiffany highlighted the outdated, paternalistic model of care that often defines the health care system today.
“We can’t be in a relationship that is completely subservient... It’s my body, and can you help me understand?”
Her advocacy focuses on patient self-advocacy, informed consent, and shared decision-making—practices she believes are hallmarks of good doctors and essential for improving health outcomes.
Empathy Over Authority
Instead of rigid protocols and hierarchy, Tiffany promotes humility and genuine conversation.
“Approach your clinician with gratitude and humility... Any clinician worth their salt should be able to explain why a recommendation makes sense for you personally.”
Why Continuity of Care Is Critical for Better Health Outcomes
Tiffany’s greatest concern is the breakdown of care once patients leave the ER.
“We can treat patients while they’re with us—but if they don’t have access to medications, a primary care physician, or follow-up support, have we really helped them?”
Continuity is essential for better health outcomes, and it starts with educating patients to manage their care journey proactively.
Educating Patients—Not Just Treating Them
For Tiffany, healthcare leadership means guiding patients to become active participants in their care. She believes patients don’t need to master clinical science or health insurance contracts, but they must ask smarter questions, advocate for themselves, and stop assuming providers will handle everything.
Stop Assuming, Start Managing
“Stop thinking that they’re going to reach out for it... Start advocating a little bit for yourself.”
Patients must shift from passive recipients to project managers of their own care to ensure better coordination between healthcare professionals.
Why Many Doctors Don’t Understand Insurance Either
One surprising truth Tiffany shared is that most clinicians lack deep understanding of health insurance systems.
“Your doctor knows way less about insurance than you think they do.”
Her experience in medical school revealed a system that discouraged financial literacy, leaving both providers and patients ill-equipped to navigate care costs effectively.
How Tiffany Ryder Turned ER Work Into Healthcare Advocacy
Frustrated with systemic limits, Tiffany began writing online to connect with others who shared her concerns.
“Other people would reach out and say, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve had that too.’ It reaffirmed that I wasn’t just incompetent—it really wasn’t working.”
This led to collaborations with innovators focused on improving healthcare leadership, operations, and patient care.
The Role and Benefits of Direct Primary Care for Patients and Providers
Tiffany champions models like Direct Primary Care (DPC) and Crowd Health, which bring the patient closer to being the true customer of the healthcare system.
“Generally, if a practice is able to engage with a patient about finances, that means they had time to do that… They’re not bound by contracts you don’t even know about.”
She emphasizes the benefits of direct primary care for patients and providers, including:
Greater transparency on costs
Stronger doctor-patient relationships
More time for personalized care
Better alignment of financial and health incentives
How Patients Can Spot Misinformation and Improve Health Literacy
Rather than censorship, Tiffany believes the solution to misinformation is flooding the zone with good information.
“The cure for misinformation is more information.”
She urges patients to critically evaluate sources and be cautious of any provider who claims absolute certainty.
“If your doctor is 100% certain about anything—that’s a red flag.”
What’s Next: The Healthcare Liberty Lab Podcast
Tiffany hosts the Healthcare Liberty Lab Podcast, offering strategies for navigating health insurance, clinical systems, and advocacy with confidence.
“My value proposition is simple: I just want to teach patients how to navigate healthcare better.”
Final Thoughts: Leadership Through Advocacy
Tiffany Ryder’s journey is a case study in how personal transformation fuels systemic change. Her message is clear: the healthcare system isn’t working as it should. But instead of waiting for top-down reform, she urges:
✅ Providers to redefine healthcare leadership
✅ Patients to embrace patient self-advocacy
✅ Organizations to explore the benefits of direct primary care for patients and providers
“You don’t have to know everything—you just have to take the first step.”
FAQ
Q: What is Direct Primary Care (DPC)?
A: DPC is a model where patients pay primary care doctors directly for services, avoiding traditional health insurance and improving transparency, access, and patient care.
Q: Why is patient self-advocacy important?
A: It helps individuals ask better questions, make informed decisions, and improve their health outcomes.
Q: What makes a good doctor in today’s healthcare system?
A: A good doctor practices shared decision-making, prioritizes empathy, and supports patient self-advocacy while staying informed about both clinical and cost factors.
Ready to Take Control of Your Healthcare Journey?
👉 Discover how Tiffany Ryder can help you navigate the healthcare system with confidence.
Whether you’re a patient seeking better care, a provider looking to create real change, or a leader striving for stronger operations and culture, Tiffany’s insights and advocacy can guide your next steps.
✅ Listen to the Healthcare Liberty Lab Podcast for practical strategies
✅ Follow Tiffany Ryder on LinkedIn for expert advice on patient advocacy and healthcare leadership
✅ Explore her work with Crowd Health to learn how the models can benefit you
🎧 Want the Full Story? Hear Directly from Tiffany Ryder
Don’t just read about it — hear Tiffany Ryder share her powerful journey, insights on patient advocacy, and strategies to fix the healthcare system on All Things LOCS.
👉 Listen to the full episode now and start transforming how you approach healthcare.
