Bring This Message to the People Who Need It.
Speaking events, community talks, and group presentations with Val Barschaw — author, patient advocate, and caregiver for 35+ years
There is an art to navigating a hospital stay that most people never learn.
Not because it's too complicated. Because nobody teaches it.
That's what Val's speaking changes.
Whether she's addressing a healthcare organization, a faith community, a caregiver support group, or a room full of people who simply want to be prepared before they need to be — Val brings warmth, real stories, and strategies that people can use immediately.
Audiences don't leave inspired and vague. They leave with something they can do.
The 5 Decisions That Turn Patients Into Hospital Heroes - A signature talk
The talk that starts conversations nobody was having — and needs to.
Most people walk into a hospital hoping for the best. This talk gives them something better than hope: a framework. Five specific decisions that shift a patient or caregiver from reactive to ready — from passive to prepared.
This is not about fear. It's about confidence.
It's about knowing that when the moment comes — and for most of us, it will — you will not be caught off guard.
What audiences take away:
The single most important thing every patient should do before admission — and almost nobody does
How to communicate with a medical team in a way that gets real answers
The rights most patients don't know they have — and how to use them
Why medication safety is everyone's responsibility, not just the nurse's
How a fighting spirit and gratitude aren't just feel-good ideas — they are clinically supported tools for better outcomes
Who this talk is for:
Healthcare organizations and hospital systems
Caregiver support groups and senior living communities
Faith communities and church groups
Corporate wellness programs
Women's organizations and civic groups
Libraries, community centers, and public events
Any group of people who will, at some point, face a hospital stay — which is to say: everyone
Flexible format: Val tailors every presentation to her audience and the time available. Whether you have 30 minutes or two hours, the content is designed to deliver maximum impact in the time you have.
WHY BOOK VAL
She doesn't speak from a slide deck. She speaks from experience.
Val has been in the waiting rooms. She has caught the errors the professionals missed. She has fought for the right outcomes — and she has lived through the moments that most speakers only read about.
Her stories are real. Her strategies are tested. And her audience — whether a room of 20 or 200 — leaves feeling seen, equipped, and ready.
"There's an art to medical communication that most people never learn, but desperately need."
Speaking engagements include:
Keynote and featured presentations
Lunch-and-learn sessions
Community and faith-based group talks
Healthcare organization training events
Caregiver support groups
Conference presentations
Fee: $250 + travel and lodging
UPCOMING EVENTS
MAY 2026
HEALTH FAIR - Cle Elum, WA May 5th
TIPS FOR PREVENTING CALAMITY IN THE HOSPITAL - APHA Webinar May 7th
(qualifies for CE Credit)
BOOK SIGNING & PRESENTATION - NCWA Conference - Everett, WA May 16th
Check back here for scheduled public events, community talks, and appearances.
Want to bring Val to your organization or community? Scheduling is open — reach out to reserve your date before the calendar fills.
BOOK VAL FOR YOUR EVENT
Booking is simple. Here's how it works:
Reach out — tell Val a little about your group, your audience, and what you're hoping they'll walk away with.
Connect — Val will follow up to discuss your event, confirm the details, and make sure the presentation is tailored to your needs.
Confirm — once the details are set, your date is reserved.
Val understands that every organization has different needs, schedules, and budgets. She's happy to have a conversation before any commitment is made.
WHAT ATTENDEES AND ORGANIZERS SAY
★★★★★ "Very inspiring and much needed in today's healthcare system." — Laura H.
★★★★★ "Such wonderful news for a much needed resource." — Lisa C.
★★★★★ "Val has a great spirit... she understands the dangers of conventional medicine nowadays, and this information is something every patient should know." — Christopher B.
ALSO AVAILABLE
Can't bring Val in person?
Val is available for podcast interviews, virtual presentations, and online panel discussions. If you have an audience that needs this message and an idea for how to get it to them — reach out. She's open to the conversation.
The best time to learn this is before you need it.
Every person in your audience has someone they love who will face a hospital stay. This talk gives them the tools to show up prepared — for themselves, and for the people who need them most.
Armed with knowledge. Dressed for battle. Ready to be a Hospital Hero!
