PBM Princess Celebrates One Year of Healthcare Advocacy and PBM Reform in Houston

A Perfect Houston Evening

That night was nothing short of extraordinary.

To be honest, in the days leading up to the event, I was watching the Houston weather forecast with more anxiety than I care to admit. As anyone who lives here knows, Houston’s weather has a mind of its own. But somehow, everything aligned perfectly. The humidity eased, the breeze rolled in, and as the sun began to set, the evening unfolded exactly as I had hoped.

Guests began arriving just as the golden light settled across the venue. They were welcomed with incredible catering by Britt’s Fit Foods LLC, beautifully crafted cocktails, and a special activation for our VIP guests featuring personalized engraving by Jen Bowen. There was an energy in the air that is difficult to describe—a mixture of excitement, curiosity, connection, and purpose. Before the documentary screening began, we invited everyone to slow down and be present. A dear friend and colleague, Naarma, led us through a mindful moment, encouraging us to reflect on why we had all gathered together. It was a powerful reminder that healthcare advocacy is ultimately about people, families, and lives.

One of the highlights of the evening for me was watching my incredible husband, Levi Strauss, open the event. Standing beside him as he welcomed our guests and introduced our honored speakers was a moment I will never forget.

The earrings were provided by our sponsor & friends at Zadok Jewelers.

Bringing the Community Together

As I looked around the room, I felt something deeply personal.

For years, much of my work has happened behind a screen, through interviews, investigations, meetings, advocacy efforts, and countless conversations about Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), prescription drug pricing, and healthcare transparency. Many of my friends and family have supported me throughout this journey, but last night felt like the first time they truly got a glimpse into my world.

They were able to see not only the work itself, but the people behind it. The stories. The heartbreak. The hope. The reason this mission matters so much.

Standing in that room surrounded by family, friends, patients, healthcare leaders, employers, physicians, pharmacists, media, creators, and advocates, I felt incredibly proud to share this work and this mission with the people who have supported me every step of the way.

As we celebrated the one-year anniversary of PBM Princess with the screening of Side Effects May Include: The Hidden Cost of Prescription Drugs, I couldn’t help but reflect on how far this journey has come. What began as one very personal fight to expose the realities of Pharmacy Benefit Managers, prescription drug pricing practices, and the lack of healthcare transparency has grown into a movement and community far bigger than I ever imagined.

Why PBM Reform Matters

Every day, patients across America face rising prescription drug costs, confusing insurance policies, and barriers to accessing the medications they need. Much of this complexity stems from a system that lacks transparency and accountability. PBM Princess was created to shine a light on these issues and to help educate patients, employers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers about the role Pharmacy Benefit Managers play in determining medication access and cost.

The conversations taking place in the room last night were a powerful reminder that meaningful healthcare reform begins with awareness. When people understand how the system works, they are better equipped to advocate for themselves, their families, and their communities.

Honoring Bil Schmidtknecht and The Marshall Allen Project

One of the most powerful moments of the evening came from keynote speaker Bil Schmidtknecht, father of Cole Schmidtknecht, whose tragic and preventable death following a sudden inhaler price increase has become a national call for PBM reform. Bil’s courage, vulnerability, and unwavering commitment to fighting for change moved every person in the room. His story serves as a heartbreaking reminder of why healthcare transparency and prescription drug affordability are not political issues—they are human issues.

We were also deeply honored to welcome Sonja Allen, Managing Director of The Marshall Allen Project and wife of the late Marshall Allen, the Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist and author of Never Pay the First Bill. Marshall dedicated his life to exposing hidden healthcare practices and empowering patients to challenge unfair billing and insurance systems. Through The Marshall Allen Project, his mission continues, helping Americans better understand, navigate, and advocate for transparency within healthcare. Listening to both Bil and Sonja speak was incredibly moving. Their stories, experiences, and dedication to patient advocacy reinforced exactly why this work matters.

Supporting Healthcare Transparency

One of the things I am most proud of from the evening is that, thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, attendees, and supporters, we were able to raise funds that will directly support The Marshall Allen Project and its ongoing work advocating for patients and healthcare transparency.

The event brought together an incredible group of VIP guests, creators, healthcare advocates, influencers, and media personalities, all united by a shared belief that healthcare can and should be better.

We were also grateful for the support of FOX 26, CW39, KHOU11, La Prensa de Houston, No Grid Media, and so many journalists and creators who continue helping bring awareness to these critical healthcare issues. None of this would have been possible without the sponsors who believed in this mission from the beginning and helped bring the evening to life. Your support made it possible to create a space where important conversations could happen, connections could be formed, and awareness could continue to grow.

Looking Ahead

As the evening came to a close and guests lingered in conversation long after the documentary ended, I found myself reflecting on the incredible community that has formed around this mission. What started as one voice asking difficult questions has become a growing movement fueled by patients, families, healthcare professionals, advocates, and everyday people who believe transparency matters. Most importantly, the evening reminded me that meaningful change never happens alone. It happens when people come together, share their stories, challenge the status quo, and refuse to accept that things must remain the way they are. To every sponsor, speaker, volunteer, attendee, friend, family member, and supporter who made this evening possible: thank you. Your belief in this mission means more than words can express.

Last night was about much more than a documentary screening or an anniversary celebration. It was a reminder that awareness creates action, stories create change, and together we can build a healthcare system that works better for everyone. And on a perfect Houston evening, surrounded by people I love and a cause I believe in, I was reminded exactly why this fight is worth it.

“Side Effects May Include: The Hidden Costs of Prescription Drugs” | Documentary Trailer

Watch the full trailer on YouTube

None of this would have been possible without the incredible sponsors who believed in this mission and helped bring the evening to life.

Elevate Integrative Healthcare
Hummingbird Montessori
The Know
Medical Inflatable Exhibits, Inc.
US Beacon
TrueScripts
Vivid Clear Rx
Engage PEO
Swyftscripts
Frontier
IIS Benefits
Primary Care Insurance Solutions
Leafwell
MediOrbis
ILMEDS
Preston Partners
DisclosedRX
HarmonyRX
Green Imaging
Zadok Jewelers