Who runs In Your Control?
I do, my name is Allyson Jagoda, but you can call me Ally. I’m an independent Board Certified Patient Advocate and the founder of In Your Control Patient Advocacy. At my core, I’m someone who believes patients deserve to be heard, respected, and fully informed—especially when the healthcare system feels overwhelming or impersonal.
What exactly do I do as a patient advocate?
I help patients and families navigate complex medical situations with clarity and confidence. That can mean preparing for appointments, understanding diagnoses or treatment options, coordinating care, or simply making sure the right questions get asked.
My role is to stand beside you—so you’re never facing the healthcare system alone.
What led me to this work?
Like many advocates, my path here was personal. I saw firsthand how confusing, stressful, and frustrating healthcare can feel when you’re trying to get answers.
I began fainting in 2011 during a yoga class in college. I went to the health center on campus, and the nurse actually did orthostatic testing that showed the diagnostic criteria for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, but they couldn’t officially diagnose me. I also told them that sometimes my heart would beat so fast it felt like I had a hummingbird in my chest. Before I was finally diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome in 2014, I went through years of appointments and testing, only to be told over and over that my problems were all in my head, when in reality, I had an extra electrical pathway in my heart, causing SVT. When I still had issues with tachycardia and fainting after a surgery to eliminate the pathway, I was told it was all anxiety-related. Eventually, after seeing multiple specialists, I was diagnosed with POTS in 2017. I also struggle with Chronic Migraine with vestibular symptoms.
Beyond my own conditions, I have many friends who deal with chronic illness as well and I’ve seen them struggle with doctors ignoring them or not taking their symptoms seriously. My best friend, Hannah, suffered a stroke because the ER doctor refused to run any testing when she presented with the worst headache of her life, simply because she was “too young” and decided she was only having a bad migraine. She is a huge source of inspiration for me in this profession.
Why is patient advocacy so important to me?
Because no one should feel rushed, dismissed, or intimidated when it comes to their health.
I’ve watched how quickly anxiety can take over when answers are unclear—and how powerful it is when someone finally feels informed and in control. Helping patients regain that sense of control is what drives my work every day.
What makes my approach different?
I’m independent, which means my loyalty is always to the patient—never to an institution, insurance company, or provider.
I focus on education, empowerment, and collaboration. I don’t replace your medical team; I help you communicate with them more effectively and confidently.
And outside of advocacy?
I’m a dog mom, a cellist, and a singer. I also work part-time at Costco.
