Sheryl Kurland is a patient advocate and co-owner of Orlando Patient Advocates (Florida). As an independent patient advocate, she provides a range of services, from identifying the right doctors and conducting resarch on treatment to arranging for medical services and overseeing care for hospitalized patients. Her research shows clearly that a hospital or emergency room is not a good place to celebrate the holidays. She offers six "magic words" to protect yourself during times when hospital staffing is at it lowest and patient counts are high. Be sure to avoid the "patient pothole"!