LaTeesha McElrath

LaTeesha McElrath is a dedicated patient advocate, healthcare entrepreneur, and community leader committed to improving patient safety, family engagement, and preventative wellness. She is the founder and owner of Community Wellness Works, a Buffalo, NY-based organization providing mobile phlebotomy services, biometric screenings, and mindfulness programs to support health and well-being in workplaces and communities.

LaTeesha’s passion for healthcare advocacy began with her daughter’s Type 1 diabetes diagnosis, which gave her firsthand experience navigating the complexities of the healthcare system. This personal journey led her to become deeply involved in patient and family engagement initiatives, including serving as an active Patient and Family Advisory Council member at Oishei Children’s Hospital. She is a longtime advocate and fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), where she has contributed to peer-to-peer fundraising and community outreach to support diabetes research and education.

In addition to her advocacy work, she is a graduate of the IC Success business accelerator program and a current participant in the University at Buffalo’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) program. She is committed to empowering patients, families, and communities by promoting health literacy, wellness, and patient-centered care.

Through her involvement with the PFPS Network, she looks forward to collaborating with fellow advocates and healthcare leaders to drive meaningful change in patient safety and engagement worldwide.