About Us
Compassionate Advocates for Patients & Families
CareBridge Nursing & Advocacy, Inc. is a Professional Nursing Corporation based in Long Beach, CA dedicated to ensuring no patient or family has to navigate the healthcare system alone.
Bridging the gap between healthcare confusion and healthcare confidence.
You focus on your loved one. We bring the knowledge and expertise your family deserves.
Why Ekua Started CareBridge
Born from a Need to Bridge the Gap
From a very young age, I cared deeply about helping others. Becoming a registered nurse gave me the opportunity to care for and support children and adults with their healthcare needs.
Throughout my nursing career, I saw firsthand how difficult it can be for patients and families to understand what they were being told and know what to do next. When members of my own family needed help, those experiences took on a personal meaning as I became their advocate. Being in that role gave me a deeper understanding of how important it is to have someone by your side.
Caring for patients with sickle cell disease opened my eyes to the unique challenges of living with a chronic illness. It showed me how important it is to have someone who understands their needs and recognizes when their concerns are not being fully heard. Working on Catalina Island exposed me to a very different healthcare environment, where limited access to services meant finding ways to connect patients with the care they needed, often across different healthcare settings. Together, they strengthened my commitment to advocate for appropriate care and to ensure patients are treated with respect and dignity, regardless of the challenges they face.
CareBridge was born from a need to bridge the gap between patients, families, and the healthcare system. CareBridge is more than a name. It reflects what I have come to understand throughout my career: sometimes, having the right person beside you can make all the difference.
About Ekua
Ekua Hackney-Stephens, MSN, RN
Founder — CareBridge Nursing & Advocacy, Inc.
Education
MSN
University of California, San Francisco
BSN
Howard University, Washington D.C.
30+
Years in Pediatric Nursing and Case Management
10
Years in Telephone Triage Nursing
Ekua Hackney-Stephens earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Howard University, and her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of California, San Francisco. She began her nursing career as a Registered Nurse in the Pediatric Burn Unit at Children's Hospital National Medical Center, Washington, DC.
Ekua then worked for five years as an RN in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Children's Hospital, Oakland, CA, followed by nearly 20 years as a pediatric nurse practitioner in the hospital's sickle cell program, where she coordinated clinic care, case management, transfusion services, and clinical research.
Ekua spent 10 years as a triage nurse and manager at the Kaiser Permanente Vallejo Call Center, CA, providing triage support to geriatric, pediatric, adult medicine, and OB/GYN patients. She also served as a case manager for adult patients at Catalina Island Health, Avalon, CA, for five years, specializing in helping patients discharged from mainland hospitals transition safely back home to the island.
“My goal has always been to make sure every patient feels heard, supported, and truly cared for.”
Ekua Hackney-Stephens, MSN, RN
Credentials & Licensure
Qualified, Licensed, Bonded & Accountable
Our advocates are Registered Nurses licensed in the State of California, operating under the standards and ethics of the nursing profession.
California RN Licensure
All CareBridge advocates hold active Registered Nurse licenses issued by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), ensuring the highest standard of professional accountability.
Professional Nursing Corporation
CareBridge Nursing & Advocacy, Inc. is incorporated as a Professional Nursing Corporation in the State of California, in full compliance with California Business and Professions Code.
Ethical Standards
We operate in accordance with the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics and the standards set forth by the California Board of Registered Nursing, placing patient welfare above all else.
Alliance of Professional Health Advocates
Ekua Hackney-Stephens is a proud member of APHA — the leading professional membership organization for independent health and patient advocates.
Licensed & Incorporated
Long Beach, CA
Who We Serve
LA & Orange County
Patients and families throughout Los Angeles and Orange County
Our Commitment
Patient-First
Every decision we make is rooted in what is best for the patient
Our Mission
Healthcare Is About People, Dignity & Peace of Mind
At CareBridge Nursing & Advocacy, Inc., we believe healthcare is about more than medical treatment — it is about people, dignity, trust, and peace of mind. Our mission is to provide compassionate nursing advocacy and personalized healthcare support that empowers individuals and families during life's most challenging journeys.
Our Registered Nurse advocates bring clinical expertise, deep compassion, and unwavering commitment to every patient and family we serve throughout Los Angeles and Orange County — because no one should have to face a healthcare crisis alone.
"When families understand what is happening, they can make better decisions — and that changes everything."
Founded on the belief that navigating healthcare should never be a solo journey, CareBridge Nursing & Advocacy, Inc. stands beside families every step of the way.
What Drives Us
Our Core Values
Compassion
We approach every patient and family with genuine empathy, treating each person with the dignity and respect they deserve.
Advocacy
We stand firmly in your corner — ensuring your voice is heard, your rights are protected, and your wishes are honored.
Partnership
We work alongside families as trusted partners, providing compassionate support and collaboration every step of the way.
Excellence
As Registered Nurses, we bring clinical expertise and professional standards to every aspect of our advocacy work.
Cultural Sensitivity & Language Access
We are committed to providing compassionate, culturally sensitive advocacy and can arrange language assistance and interpreter services when needed.
Our Foundation
The Four Pillars of CareBridge Nursing & Advocacy Inc.
Everything we do is built on four foundational commitments that define how we show up for every patient and family we serve.
Listen
Every story matters. We take the time to hear your concerns, goals, and experiences before anything else.
Understand
We see the whole picture — thoughtfully assessing your healthcare needs, history, and circumstances.
Educate
Knowledge builds confidence. We translate complex medical information into clear, accessible language.
Empower
Certainty through partnership. Together, we make sure you feel capable and ready to advocate for what matters most.
Ready to Have an Advocate on Your Side?
Contact CareBridge Nursing & Advocacy, Inc. today for a free, no-obligation consultation. We're here to help you and your family navigate healthcare with confidence and peace of mind.