In this week’s episode of Unshakeable Belief, I sat down with national patient-safety advocate Kim Witczak, whose story began not with ambition, but with unimaginable loss. After her husband Woody’s sudden death following a prescription for insomnia, Kim turned her grief into purpose—becoming one of the most powerful voices for transparency, informed consent, and accountability in modern medicine.

Kim calls herself the accidental advocate, a title that speaks volumes about how many world-changers are born from tragedy. In our conversation, she reveals the hard truths about the systems meant to protect us, the dangers of blind trust, and why healing begins when we start asking the right questions.

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From Tragedy to Truth

When Woody passed away in 2003, Kim’s world imploded. There was no history of depression, no warning signs—just a new prescription that was supposed to help him sleep. That moment ignited Kim’s lifelong mission: to uncover how such a devastating outcome could happen to an otherwise healthy man.

Her search led to unsettling realizations: the FDA doesn’t conduct clinical trials; pharmaceutical companies often fund the very studies that shape medical policy; and many doctors unknowingly rely on marketing materials more than independent data. As Kim explained, “We’ve been taught blindly to trust—but true healing begins when we start asking why.”

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The Power of Self-Advocacy

Kim believes the most powerful question in healthcare is: Is this necessary?
She reminds us that no one will ever care more about your health than you do. Self-advocacy isn’t rebellion—it’s responsibility. Patients have the right to ask about side effects, alternative treatments, black box warnings, and whether lifestyle shifts could be tried first.

Her rule of thumb:

• Ask, Is this the first and only option?
• Ask, What happens if I do nothing right now?
• Ask, What are the risks and red flags I should watch for?

And always document what you notice. Patterns save lives.

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When the System Fails, the Voice Must Rise

Through her advocacy work, Kim now sits at the FDA table representing patients and families who have been harmed by the very drugs meant to help them. She’s seen firsthand how accountability lags behind profit and how critical it is for ordinary people to show up in extraordinary spaces.

From pushing for black-box warnings on antidepressants to testifying about patient rights, Kim’s courage has influenced policy and ignited conversations around the world. Her mission is simple yet profound: no family should ever have to ask, “Why didn’t we know?”

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Pain as the Gateway to Purpose

What stands out most about Kim’s story isn’t just the advocacy—it’s the faith, fire, and healing that grew from unimaginable pain. She reminds us that grief, though agonizing, can be a teacher. “Pain,” she says, “is the biggest gateway to transformation.”

Kim is now writing her first book and preparing to share her story on the global stage—proof that even in the ashes of loss, new purpose can rise.

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Key Takeaways

• Never hand over your health without asking questions.
• True informed consent means understanding both benefits and risks.
• Pain can either paralyze you or propel you toward purpose.
• You don’t have to be a professional advocate to make a difference—just a willing one.

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Listen & Learn

You can listen to “When Healing Begins with Questions” on the Unshakeable Belief podcast—available wherever you stream your favorite shows.

If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs the reminder that your voice matters and that healing begins the moment you start asking why.

Visit monicaconnollycoaching.com to explore my coaching programs and join our Unshakeable Belief community—a space where women rise together with faith, courage, and purpose.