When Dr. Brittany Winestock, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, talks about advocacy, her voice carries the weight of someone who has witnessed veterans struggle to navigate complex healthcare and benefits processes. As a Family Nurse Practitioner with over 15 years in cardiac medicine and transitions care, she discovered that traditional healthcare approaches often miss what veterans truly need: someone who sees them as individuals, not just diagnoses.
Her breakthrough isn’t flashy technology or groundbreaking research—it’s something more fundamental. Winestock has developed an approach to veteran healthcare that prioritizes meeting people exactly where they are: culturally, economically, and emotionally. This simple shift in perspective has created pathways to healing that honor both military service and human dignity, transforming how care reaches those who served our country.
The Spark That Changed Everything
Winestock’s journey into healthcare leadership began with her mother’s illness and a nurse who truly listened, but it was her father and brother’s military service that crystallized her mission. “My dad is such a giver—he’d give you the shirt off his back,” she explains. “But watching him struggle with certain areas made me want to advocate for him. He asked me, ‘What about the people who don’t have a you in their life?’ That question changed everything for me.”
That moment of clarity led Winestock to a powerful realization: while many families have healthcare advocates within their circles, countless veterans navigate complex medical and claims processes alone. The weight of this understanding transformed her approach to healthcare entirely. “I can’t just keep talking about change,” she says with characteristic directness. “You have to actually be that change.” This philosophy would become the foundation for everything that followed—a career built not just on treating symptoms, but on creating systems that truly serve those who served us.
Breaking Through the Invisible Barriers
Working extensively with veterans across medical reviews, physical exams, and advocacy, Winestock has identified a critical gap that often goes unrecognized. “Veterans think they still have to be tough on this level where they don’t convey what they’re really enduring,” she observes. “They downplay their pain, whether it’s physical or mental health related, because they’ve normalized their suffering.” This tendency to minimize symptoms creates devastating consequences, as veterans may suffer from migraines, PTSD, sleep disorders, and chronic pain while dismissing these conditions as simply part of life after service.
The impact of this silent struggle became clear to Winestock through countless patient interactions. “I had one veteran tell me, ‘I’ve been dealing with this for so long, I just thought this is what it was,'” she recalls. “I had to explain that there’s actually treatment for that. You don’t have to sit here and fight that battle alone.” These conversations revealed a deeper truth: the challenge extends far beyond individual resilience to encompass a fundamental lack of awareness about available resources.
“I’ve met too many veterans who simply don’t know what to do, where to go, or who to speak with,” she explains. “You can’t just provide instructions one time during such a transitional phase of their life and expect them to remember and fully understand.” This insight would become central to her innovative approach to veteran care—recognizing that information without sustained support becomes just another barrier to overcome.
Innovation Through Individualization
Recognizing these systemic gaps, Winestock created her own practice model that prioritizes what she calls “meeting people where they are.” Unlike traditional medical approaches that apply standardized protocols, her methodology begins with understanding each veteran as a complete individual. “Just because you may have the same diagnosis doesn’t mean you want the same treatment,” she explains. “Your lifestyle may be different, your understanding may be different. If we get so caught up in standard frameworks and steps, we may miss what someone truly needs.”
This individualized approach extends beyond medical treatment to encompass cultural competency and practical accessibility. Winestock learned early in her career that effective healthcare must acknowledge real-world constraints and cultural contexts. “If I’m teaching you about healthy eating but recommending foods you can’t afford, do you really think that person is going to be successful?” she asks. “I learned to speak to people from a cultural standpoint—explaining moderation, suggesting alternatives that fit their budget and lifestyle.” This philosophy of practical compassion became the cornerstone of her practice, whether she’s working with veterans on disability claims or helping women navigate cardiac health concerns.
Bridging the Gaps
Winestock’s vision for reform centers on immediate, sustained advocacy for veterans transitioning out of service. “There should be an immediate advocate assigned to each person to guide them through the process,” she argues. “Not just during discharge, but for the first 90 days or longer, to ensure they understand what’s available to them.”
This isn’t merely about providing information—it’s about ensuring comprehension and access. “Half the battle is knowledge,” she notes. “But knowledge without support systems becomes just another barrier.”
Her work with the VA has reinforced her belief that the system wants to serve veterans effectively, but needs partners who can bridge gaps between institutional capabilities and individual needs. “The VA provides incredible resources,” she emphasizes. “My role is helping veterans navigate and access those resources in ways that make sense for their specific situations.”
This collaborative approach extends to partnerships with veteran-focused legal practices, including Flowers Law Firm, where her medical expertise strengthens disability claims by providing the clinical documentation and advocacy that veterans need to navigate both healthcare and legal processes successfully.
The Heart Health Innovation
Beyond her work with veterans, Winestock has pioneered an innovative approach to women’s cardiac care through L.A.G. Heart & Wellness Consulting. Her personal journey with tachycardia and palpitations, experienced despite her extensive cardiology background, revealed the urgent need for proactive women’s heart health advocacy. “Experiencing the fear and uncertainty surrounding my own heart health fueled my passion to advocate for women to recognize and address their heart issues proactively,” she explains.
Recognizing that heart disease—the leading killer globally—is 80% preventable with proper tools and individualized approaches, she created a revolutionary model that transforms traditional medical appointments into stress-free, luxurious experiences. Her practice features massage beds and plush robes, direct appointment scheduling without long waits, and a focus on preventive care addressing hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, arrhythmias, and weight management.
“At L.A.G. Heart and Wellness Consulting, I believe that heart health is not just the absence or treatment of disease, but a state of complete physical, mental, and spiritual well-being,” she states. As a wife and mother of three daughters, she understands the complexities of juggling family responsibilities with health priorities. “I’ve created a relaxing environment where women with busy lifestyles can take a moment to prioritize their heart health and practice self-care.”
This holistic approach reflects her broader philosophy: effective healthcare must address the whole person, not just symptoms or diagnoses. Her goal extends beyond individual treatment to fostering a supportive community where women feel informed, confident, and motivated on their heart health journeys.
Education as Empowerment
Winestock’s commitment to systemic change extends through her role as Founder and President of The Nursing Studio, where she has transformed the careers of over 1,700 nurse practitioners. Dubbed “the test-taking tactician,” she provides review courses that help nurses and nurse practitioners successfully pass certification exams, often turning unsuccessful candidates into confident, certified professionals.
“I’m passing knowledge to up-and-coming nurses and nurse practitioners so they can see these gaps and step in from that perspective,” she explains. Her educational philosophy mirrors her clinical approach: provide comprehensive foundations so healthcare providers can implement compassionate, effective care as complete practitioners, not just task-oriented workers. This ripple effect means every nurse she mentors carries forward her individualized, culturally competent approach to patient care.
Leadership Through Service
As a Black woman leader in healthcare, Winestock brings perspectives often missing from medical conversations. “Culture is huge,” she reflects. “You have to meet people where they are culturally, understand their experiences—whether that’s as veterans, as women, as members of specific communities. If you take the moment to understand the individual, you’ll have better outcomes.”
Her advice to women considering healthcare leadership roles is characteristically direct: “Do it. Why not you? I would never want to be someone’s excuse for not pursuing their calling.”
Sustaining the Mission
Managing the emotional weight of advocacy work while maintaining family life requires intentional boundary-setting and self-care. “When I’m with patients and veterans, I’m all locked in,” Winestock explains. “I give everything I know and can do to that individual. But I also have to pour back into myself so I can be the Brittany I was designed to be and execute at my highest level.”
With a husband and three daughters—ages 7, 9, and 13—she practices the same presence at home that she brings to her professional work. “Just as I give 100% when I’m with patients, when I’m with my family, they deserve 100% of me as well.”
What Veterans Remember
When asked what she hopes veterans remember about their interactions with her, Winestock’s response reveals the depth of her commitment: “I hope they receive the genuine impact I’m working to make. If I don’t have the answers, I always want to connect them with someone who does. I want them to know I genuinely have their best interests at heart.”
The indicators of success aren’t always dramatic—often they’re what she calls “God winks.” A veteran finally addressing a 20-year struggle after one conversation. A thank-you note. Seeing someone implement changes that improve their quality of life. “These little wins let you know you’re doing the right thing and you’re on the right path.”
The Future of Veteran Healthcare
Winestock’s work represents a fundamental shift in how healthcare can serve veterans—moving from reactive treatment to proactive advocacy, from standardized protocols to individualized care, from institutional barriers to accessible pathways.
Her message to the healthcare community is clear: “Be present and meet people where they are individually. Whether you’re approaching this from an entrepreneurial perspective, a healthcare standpoint, or any service role—the key is genuine, individualized attention.”
For veterans reading this, her message is equally direct: “You don’t have to fight these battles alone. You’ve served us—now let us serve you by connecting you with the resources and care you’ve earned and deserve.”
Resources for Healthcare Advocacy & Support
Veteran Healthcare Navigation
- VA Patient Advocate Program: Contact your local VA Medical Center’s Patient Advocate for healthcare concerns and navigation support
- Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1 | Text 838255 | veteranscrisisline.net – 24/7 confidential support
- VA Health Benefits Hotline: 877-222-8387 – Information about VA healthcare enrollment and benefits
Women’s Heart Health
- American Heart Association: heart.org/women – Heart disease prevention and awareness resources for women
- WomenHeart: womenheart.org – Support network for women with heart disease
- Go Red for Women: goredforwomen.org – Education and advocacy for women’s cardiovascular health
Nursing Education & Certification
- American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC): nursingworld.org/ancc – Certification information and resources
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): aacnnursing.org/ccne – Accreditation and education standards
- National League for Nursing: nln.org – Professional development and educational resources
Healthcare Advocacy & Patient Rights
- Patient Advocate Foundation: patientadvocate.org – Free case management and financial assistance
- National Association of Healthcare Advocacy: nahac.com – Find professional healthcare advocates
- Medicare Rights Center: medicarerights.org – Healthcare navigation for Medicare beneficiaries
Mental Health & Resilience
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): 800-950-6264 | nami.org – Mental health support and education
- Mental Health America: mhanational.org – Screening tools and local resources
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 – 24/7 crisis support via text
Connect with Dr. Brittany Winestock:
- L.A.G. Heart & Wellness Consulting – Women’s preventive cardiac care and wellness
- The Nursing Studio – Certification exam preparation for nurses and nurse practitioners
- Veteran Medical Advocacy – Medical examinations and healthcare navigation support
Dr. Winestock’s individualized approach to healthcare demonstrates that meeting people where they are—culturally, economically, and personally—creates pathways to genuine healing and advocacy.