Spotlight: Jun Liu, clinical advocate

Sharecare’s clinical advocates play an important role in helping members navigate the complexities of healthcare, supporting individuals through everything from chronic condition management to new diagnoses and major life transitions. Through education, guidance, and ongoing support, these teams help members better understand their benefits, connect with resources, and feel more confident navigating their health journeys.

As Sharecare recognizes the extraordinary impact nurses have across our organization and the communities we serve this National Nurse’s Month, we’re proud to spotlight Jun Liu, a clinical advocate who has been with Sharecare for more than 13 years.

Originally from Shanghai, Jun moved to the United States after starting her healthcare career in China, earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing, and later completed an MBA focused on healthcare while working as a hospital nurse in Ohio – before eventually transitioning into advocacy and case management work that allowed her to spend more time supporting patients one-on-one.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and 6-year-old daughter, whether that’s sailing together, visiting the library, or simply enjoying quiet time in the community. We’re pleased to spotlight Jun and her contributions to Sharecare, and hope you enjoy learning more about her journey into nursing, and what continues to motivate her after more than a decade with the company.

Can you tell us about your role?

I work as a clinical advocate, and I’ve been in this role for about four years now. Before that, I worked as a PCMH health advocate for about a decade, and I’ve been with Sharecare for 13 years total.

In my role, I work directly with members and help guide them through their health journey. That can mean supporting wellness goals, helping someone navigate a new diagnosis, or assisting them through a significant change in their health. We also help members understand and access the benefits and resources available to them. A lot of people don’t realize how many healthcare resources they already have access to through their employer. Sometimes there are 20 or more different programs available, and part of our job is learning all of them so we can help members figure out what makes sense for their situation.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Every day is different because we support all kinds of health concerns. Sometimes it’s something simple. A member may call because they’re not feeling well, they don’t have a primary care doctor, and they’re not sure what to do. We help guide them through next steps, whether that’s finding an in-network provider, using virtual care options, or going to a clinic for treatment. But many of the members I work with have chronic conditions — things like diabetes, high blood pressure, joint pain, or back issues.

A big part of the role is education and support. Even if someone has had a diagnosis for years, they may not fully understand all the resources available to help them manage their health. We help people understand what questions to ask, how to follow up with their doctors, how to prevent conditions from worsening, and how to feel more confident navigating the healthcare system overall.

You’ve been with Sharecare for more than a decade. What has kept you here for so long?

The culture among the nurses and leadership team. Everybody helps each other. If you say you need a hand, people step up. I try to do the same for others. My supervisor has also been incredibly supportive, especially because some of the conversations we have with members can be emotionally difficult.

We speak with people who are going through cancer diagnoses, miscarriages, major life changes, or other hardships. Sometimes all you can do is listen and support them through the moment. I’ve shared with leadership that while I’m grateful members trust me enough to share those experiences, it’s also important for us to process those emotions ourselves so we can continue showing up fully for others.

My supervisor really listened to that feedback and helped organize a decompression session with our behavioral health advocate team so we can talk through those experiences together. That kind of support means a lot. It helps me stay emotionally grounded so I can continue giving my best to members.

How did you start your career journey as a nurse?

I’m originally from Shanghai, China. When I was completing my schooling, nursing programs at the time didn’t really offer bachelor’s degrees the way they do here, but I knew I wanted to continue growing in the field, because I genuinely loved the work. Later, I moved to the United States and earned my bachelor’s degree in nursing. At the time, my English still wasn’t very strong, and I had to pass the NCLEX before enrolling, which was a huge milestone for me.

While I was in school in the states, I worked at a nursing home on campus caring for retired professors, mostly during summers and holidays. That experience had a big impact on me because I realized how much I loved working with seniors and listening to people’s stories. I enjoyed taking the time to really connect with patients beyond just the clinical side of care.

How did this all lead you to the work you do today as a clinical advocate?

After finishing nursing school in the U.S., I worked as a floor nurse in Ohio for about five years, primarily in a cardiac unit. I learned a lot during that time, and I truly enjoyed caring for patients, but hospital nursing can be very task-oriented. You’re managing medications, charting, orders, and multiple patients at once. I remember feeling like I never had enough time to really sit down and talk with patients the way I wanted to. Especially with older patients, I loved hearing about their lives, but there was always pressure to move to the next task.

At the same time, I completed an MBA focused on healthcare because I wanted to better understand the healthcare system beyond the clinical side — especially what drives costs and impacts patient outcomes.

Eventually, I realized I wanted to focus more on patient education, guidance, and long-term support. When I found an opportunity at Healthways (which was acquired by Sharecare in 2016), it felt like the right fit because it allowed me to spend more time helping people through their health journeys instead of only seeing them during moments of crisis. That’s really where I fell in love with this work.

How do you like to spend your time outside of work?

Most of my free time is spent with family. My husband and daughter both love sailing, so I join them on shorter weekend trips a few times a year. We also enjoy simple things like visiting the library, picking up books, or spending time in the community together. Right now, while my daughter is still young, I really want to enjoy those moments and spend as much time with her as possible.

What’s a highlight from your career you’re proud of?

There have been a lot of moments over the years. One member I worked with had a very stressful job in a juvenile behavioral correction center. We spent months working together on her weight management goals and overall health. About a year and a half after she completed the program, she called my work phone and said, “Nurse Judy, guess who this is?” She told me she had retired and had lost a significant amount of weight because she finally had time to focus on her health goals.

Moments like that really fill my cup. Seeing people improve their quality of life, knowing they’re healthier, happier, and hopefully not ending up back in the hospital — that’s incredibly rewarding. That’s why I’m still here.