Next Step Advocate
Guiding Your Family on Their Healthcare Journey
Navigators for Patients
and Families
Cybele Japczyk
Founder
Cybele started her journey as a "helper" to people who needed a ride to the doctor, a family member that needed an extra set of ears at the doctor, a neighbor that needed help understanding insurance forms and aiding a friend pick the best nursing home for her family. Two years ago Cybele began helping a friend with ALS and then a family member with brain trauma. Through the journey of diagnosis, treatment and final life decisions, she has seen an ever growing need for advocates who can navigate the healthcare, nursing home, social service and insurance maze for patients and their families.
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Cybele is very knowledgeable about DuPage and Cook County social services for disabled persons and seniors.
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She is experienced with the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
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Cybele studied Psychology at Eastern Illinois University and has continued to pursue a masters in Social Work and a certificate in Gerontology.
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She is deeply passionate about helping families find the best solutions for their healthcare needs.
Debra Tracy
Debra started advocating/navigating clients through the telecommunications industry over 25 years ago. She had started her own consulting firm and was actively running that business when her daughter was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and a learning disability, which required the services of the mental healthcare and educational systems. A few years later, Debra’s mother became ill with significant late life disabilities and Debra became solely responsible for her healthcare, quality of life and living environment.
Realizing how critical her assistance and advocacy was to her mother and daughter in navigating two different healthcare systems, she saw the need and opportunity for helping others. She has since begun advocating for
others through the often times complex and confusing system(s) of healthcare.
Debra has a Certificate as a Patient Advocate from the Professional Patient Institute and continues to take classes at the University of Wisconsin in the Health Advocacy program. Debra also has a Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Dayton in Criminal Justice.
Debra spends many hours volunteering as an experienced and trained American Red Cross Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer in the Oak Park - River Forest area.
About Us
Next Step Advocate is dedicated to making your healthcare journey as positive and uncomplicated as possible, by being by your side, educating you and giving you the tools you need. Along with our founders, our team of caring and knowledgeable professionals is here to help you manage the unmanageable.