Our Story
Angel On My Shoulder began in 2006 with one client and a simple but meaningful mission: to provide compassionate advocacy and peace of mind for individuals and families navigating complex healthcare situations.
Founded by Carol Freeborn and officially incorporated in 2011 as a California woman-owned corporation, Angel On My Shoulder has since supported hundreds of clients throughout Southern California with personalized care management and patient advocacy services.
Our team believes every individual deserves to feel heard, supported, and treated with dignity. We work closely with clients, families, physicians, caregivers, and healthcare providers to help coordinate care, reduce overwhelm, and guide important decisions with clarity and compassion.
At the heart of our work is a commitment to advocacy, communication, and thoughtful support during life’s most challenging transitions.
Our original team
Carol’s extensive background in nursing and case management continues to shape our compassionate, hands-on approach to care. Her dedication to advocacy and problem-solving remains the foundation of Angel On My Shoulder today.
We are proud to support individuals and families throughout Southern California with trusted care management, patient advocacy, and personalized guidance designed to bring clarity, confidence, and peace of mind.
Understanding the Role of a Patient Advocate
Angel On My Shoulder was created to provide thoughtful advocacy, guidance, and support for individuals and families navigating complex healthcare situations. In today’s healthcare system, having a trusted advocate can help bring clarity, coordination, and peace of mind during difficult or uncertain times.
What Does a Patient Advocate Do?
A patient advocate is someone you trust to help support communication, coordination, and informed decision-making throughout the healthcare process. An advocate works alongside medical providers, caregivers, and family members to help ensure care needs are understood, questions are addressed, and the individual’s well-being remains the priority.
At Angel On My Shoulder, we help clients and families navigate care decisions with compassion, organization, and ongoing support.
Our Mission
Providing Peace of Mind to Patients and their Families and Friends
Providing peace of mind to patients, families, and caregivers through compassionate advocacy, coordinated care, and trusted guidance.
We help individuals and families navigate healthcare decisions, communicate with providers, coordinate care services, and remain informed throughout every stage of the process.
How We Help
Care Coordination
Family & Patient Advocacy
Home & Care Support
Meet Our Amazing Team
Our experienced healthcare professionals bring decades of nursing, case management, advocacy, and care coordination experience to every client relationship. We believe compassionate communication, thoughtful guidance, and collaborative care can make a meaningful difference for individuals and families navigating complex healthcare needs.
Carol Freeborn
Founder and President of Angel On My Shoulder
Registered Nurse, BSN, and Certified Case Manager
Meet Carol, the Founder, and Visionary of Angel on My Shoulder. With over 40 years of healthcare experience, 20 of which are in Case Management, Carol is a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor's degree from the University of Detroit Mercy. She is also a certified case manager and dementia care specialist.
Carol believes that the coordination of care between patients, families, and healthcare professionals is crucial to achieving positive healthcare outcomes. Her focus on building connections between people makes her a skilled leader in bringing healthcare teams together for the betterment of their patients.
Her extensive experience in telephonic case management, hospital-based acute care, home care, rehabilitation, and long-term care allows her to provide comprehensive solutions for optimizing patient health and quality of life. Carol advocates for a holistic approach, empowering her clients, families, and caregivers to adapt to changes in health and plan proactively for the future.
With her expertise in dementia care, Carol guides clients and families through the challenges they will face. Beyond her passion for the mission of Angel on My Shoulder, Carol finds fulfillment in faith, family, and gardening.
Karen Kelly-Jones
Registered Nurse, BHS, Board Certified in Psychiatry, Certified Case Manager, SMQT Certified
Karen has 40 years of nursing experience in psychiatry and chemical dependency, utilization review, high-risk case management, and leadership. Karen also taught nursing part-time for five years at a local college.
Her experience working for the California State Department of Health Services conducting Medicare and Medi-cal re-certifications in Long Term Care Facilities and investigative work in acute hospitals adds value to the Angel on My Shoulder team when evaluating extended care facilities for our clients.
Karen believes that knowledge is power and offers education and resources to her patient(s) and their families, which in turn promotes them to have a sense of well-being and confidence in their decision-making.
Her family is the most important part of her life. She loves to cook and finds gardening not only a passion but a way to meditate and process life’s changing events. She believes she can teach her patients to cope and understand through their own passions and belief system as they face changes in their lives.
Debi Windle
Registered Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist in Gerontology, Certified Public Health Nurse with a Master of Science degree in Nursing.
Debra Windle is an RN with 35 years of experience, a clinical nurse specialist, and a certified public health nurse. She holds a Master of Science degree in Nursing Clinical Nurse Specialist in Gerontology. Debra has over 30 years of experience in facilitating and supervising health assessments and care management for adults with chronic and complex needs, specializing in community-based older adults. She has also collaborated with various community agencies, the Long Beach health department, and the Orange County Health Care Agency to develop community-based intervention projects to benefit at-risk populations. Serving as a faculty member at the California State University Long Beach School of Nursing since March 2004, Debra is a content expert in Gerontology, Case Management, Comprehensive Health Assessment, Community Health Nursing, Chronic Health Conditions, Population-based Health Care, Health Care Delivery Systems, Nursing Leadership and Advocacy, Quality Improvement, and Palliative Care. Debra is wholly committed to providing compassionate patient/family-centered care. She feels that health education and advocating for quality care are two of her most important roles when working with clients.
Corrina Graichen
Licensed Vocational Nurse
Corina Graichen was licensed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse in 2005. She earned her LVN after attending Pacific College in Costa Mesa, CA. Corina has worked in a variety of healthcare settings, including ambulatory care, home health, and long-term care facilities specializing in Dementia care. She is passionate about providing quality care and ensuring the highest level of service. In her spare time, Corina enjoys spending time with her friends and family, traveling, and working in her garden.