Cynthia Overton, PhD
You believe in person-centered care. But understanding patient context is what makes it real.
Live Q&A with the Author
Nursing, Medical, Physical Therapy, International Training Programs and more
Clear Cane Chronicles: Shaping the Future of Healthcare Through Person-Centered Care is a narrative-based resource that teaches person-centered care through lived patient experience, established frameworks, and healthcare research.
Live Zoom Q&A session for programs that use the book in their curriculum. Students engage directly with the patient who experienced the healthcare system and wrote the book.
Aligned with key clinical education frameworks, including LCME, AAMC EPAs, AACN, CAPTE, and APTA.
Clinical Education
Online Course
What Every Provider Should Know About the Hidden Patient Experience
The 10×10 Experience: Ten Modules. Ten Minutes. Designed to help busy clinicians recognize how patient context, system friction, and everyday realities shape outcomes. Grounded in lived experience and aligned with clinical training standards, it bridges the gap between what is taught and what patients actually navigate.
Ideal for practicing clinicians, as well as nursing, medical, and physical therapy education programs.
Aligned with key clinical education frameworks, including LCME, AAMC EPAs, AACN, CAPTE, and APTA.
Working with patients, providers, & payers to advance person-centered care.
As a speaker, workshop facilitator, advisor, and author, I blend humor, storytelling, and evidence-based frameworks to elevate learning.
Speaking
Keynotes that translate lived experience into system design.
Topics include:
- The Hidden Curriculum of Being a Patient
- Person-Centered Care Beyond Buzzwords
- Becoming Disabled: Navigating Identity, Independence, and Care Over Time
Workshops
Interactive sessions that help teams operationalize person-centered care in real workflows.
Core offerings:
- Person-Centered Care 101: Foundations and Frameworks
- Person-Centered Care In Action: From Policy to Practice
- Between Visits: Designing for What Happens Outside the Clinic
→ Formats available from 60–90 minutes to half-day sessions
Strategy & Advisory
Strategic advisory for organizations redesigning care delivery and patient experience.
Suited for:
- Care model design and refinement
- Staff training and culture change initiatives
- Embedding patient context into system design
Clear Cane Chronicles
Clear Cane Chronicles is a practical guide for person-centered care.
Drawing on her experience with hospital stays, insurance systems, and the process of relearning how to walk, Cynthia Overton illustrates why seeing patients as people, not just cases, is essential to effective care.
Through stories of humor, challenge, and resilience, she explores how better alignment among patients, providers, and payers can improve real-world healthcare experiences.
Grounded in research and practical strategies, the book offers conversation starters and tools to support meaningful change.
Clear Cane Chronicles is a valuable resource for anyone committed to building a responsive healthcare system that centers patients’ evolving needs.
Trusted by leaders and learners committed to real implementation
“Your speech was deeply inspiring, sparking thoughtful conversations among those who attended."
- Conference Program Chair
“What I definitely appreciated about this approach was the expansive thinking.”
- Workshop Particant
“There were very specific notes and things we can take with us to really implement the strategies day to day.”
- Workshop Participant
