“I Was Put Here for a Reason”: Finding Purpose Through Lived Experience
Jacquelyn Lambert-Davis
Expert by Experience
2025 Patient Insight Congress
July 6, 2026
Written by PII 2026 Summer Intern, Jordyn Brown, PhD, MPH
When I spoke with Jacquelyn Lambert-Davis, it was immediately clear that her story is not defined by a single diagnosis or healthcare encounter, but by resilience, purpose, and a lifelong commitment to helping others navigate similar challenges.
Jacquelyn’s healthcare journey began in childhood, shaped by poverty, respiratory illness, recurring cysts and tumors, and chronic pain. Insurance gaps and limited support made those experiences harder. Yet when I asked what someone would notice if they met her at the beginning of her journey and again today, her answer was simple: “The only thing they would notice is my resilience.”
That resilience became the foundation of her career in nursing and advocacy. As a teenager facing a frightening medical experience largely alone, a nurse took time to answer her questions and support her. The moment stayed with her for decades. “If I didn’t already want to be a nurse,” she shared, “I definitely wanted to be a nurse after I had spoken with her.”
Inspired by that care, she built a career dedicated not only to treating patients as a nurse but also amplifying their voices as an advocate. After witnessing neglect among older adults in long-term care, she became committed to improving healthcare through education, mentorship, and accountability. Today, she continues that work through the Patient Advocate Foundation (PAF) as an Expert by Experience (ExE) and mentors nursing students entering the field.
What stood out most to me was her belief that lived experience is its own kind of expertise. She emphasized the importance of speaking up, sharing evidence, and making sure patient perspectives are not overlooked. Through research review, discussion, and storytelling, she remains committed to making healthcare more responsive to the people it serves.
As a cancer epidemiologist, I spend much of my time considering how evidence is generated, interpreted, and applied to patients. Speaking with Jacquelyn reinforced that patient voices are not an addition to research – they are essential to how evidence is defined in the first place.
Our conversation reminded me that patient-centered care is not only about treating conditions, but also about recognizing the experience, strength, and knowledge patients bring. As I continue my work in cancer research, I will carry forward one lesson from Jacquelyn: every challenge can become an opportunity for change. As she said, “I think everyone is put here for a reason.”Her story is a powerful reminder of what can happen when people use their experiences not only to persevere, but to help others do the same.