Throughout her professional life, Ruth Phillippi, MS, has endeavored to be a bridge between the patient and physician and to amplify the voice of the patient while trying to ensure that they are clear on what their clinical team is asking of them. Her role within the Washington Adult Congenital Heart Program provides many opportunities to utilize her skills in writing, organizational support, research and teaching to develop and facilitate educational and psychosocial support programs and materials, including patient/family conferences. Her dedication to empowering patients and collaborating with healthcare providers springs from her own experience as a person with complex congenital heart disease, making her work deeply personal and deeply rewarding.