Meet Dr. Mari Pantoja-Smith, DHSc, RN, CGNC

Dr. Mari Pantoja-Smith is a doctorate-prepared registered nurse and patient advocate with Umbra Health Advocacy. Over more than 15 years, she has supported individuals and families navigating complex medical conditions, and her background spans clinical care, digital health strategy, and care coordination. As a result, she brings both clinical depth and a systems-level view to every case she takes on.

Dr. Mari Pantoja-Smith’s story

“My path to advocacy is deeply personal. I was already working as a nurse when my 13-year-old daughter started experiencing unexplained pain. For years, her symptoms went undiagnosed, and at times they were dismissed. She was eventually diagnosed with hip dysplasia and went through three major surgeries that ended her athletic career.

That experience showed me how hard it can be to navigate the healthcare system, even for a clinician. If it was that hard for me, I kept thinking, how could families without clinical training possibly manage?

That question led me to pursue healthcare advocacy formally. Today I bring both my professional training and what I learned as a mother to this work. My approach is structured, thoughtful, and built around each client. The goal is always the same: reduce the overwhelm, bring clarity, and help families make informed decisions in the moments that matter most.”

How Dr. Mari Pantoja-Smith helps clients

As an Umbra advocate, Mari can help with:

• Bringing clarity to complicated medical situations
• Organizing your medical records and spotting gaps in your care
• Preparing you for high-stakes appointments so you walk in ready
• Coordinating care across multiple doctors, specialists, and care teams
• Supporting clients facing neurological symptoms, cognitive changes, and chronic conditions
• Helping you understand the criteria for advanced testing and specialty services
• Fighting insurance denials and explaining what an approval actually requires
• Bridging communication between providers, payers, and care teams so nothing falls through the cracks

Dr. Mari Pantoja-Smith’s expertise in cognitive health

Mari brings unusual depth to one of the most challenging areas of advocacy: cognitive health. She has advanced training in Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, an evidence-based approach that helps people experiencing memory changes stay mentally engaged and connected. She is also certified in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, a widely used screening tool for cognitive function.

Because of that training, Mari can support clients who are facing brain fog, memory changes, or early cognitive concerns in a way most advocates cannot. She helps families pursue clear answers, ask the right questions of neurologists and primary care doctors, and access the testing and care their loved one actually needs. For families watching someone they love struggle with cognitive change, Mari can be the difference between drifting and direction.

Work with Dr. Mari Pantoja-Smith

Through Umbra, Mari’s services are covered by Medicare. For people who do not have Medicare, she also offers private pay options.

Call Umbra Health Advocacy today at 332-699-6778 or tell us more.