A messaging platform is configured to impose HIPAA-compliant ownership and access control on conversations between caregivers that can contain at least some protected health information (PHI) or electronic protected health information (EPHI). The messaging platform can support a patient-centered conversation between caregivers who are actively affiliated with at least one covered entity in common. The messaging platform can identify caregivers who are authorized participants in a patient-centered conversation based on active affiliations with at least one covered entity. Moreover, the messaging platform can be configured to restrict participation in and access to a patient-centered conversation owned by a covered entity to caregivers who are actively affiliated with the covered entity. Additionally, the messaging platform can permit a caregiver having a professional conversation initiator privilege to initiate a professional conversation that does not contain PHI or EPHI with another caregiver who is not actively affiliated with the same covered entity.