Community Health Workers
It’s been nearly a year since we revised our care delivery services by partnering RN’s with Community Health Workers to oversee their assigned clinics and patient populations. So, what has been the result of this partnership since its inception in the summer of 2019?
First of all, we sought the responses of the Nursing Supervisors regarding the complementary role of the Community Health Worker (CHW). The unanimous response was that this role and the CHWs involved are a most positive addition, and a great bridge in developing and supporting ongoing patient relationships, even beyond the clinic setting.
Our intention is to retain this role and to expand and refine it as we move into our 2021 fiscal year. We are working with an enthusiastic and engaged team of CHW’s as you will learn in their brief introductions below.
So what is the focus of the CHW? Community Health Workers are front line public health workers who have a close understanding and connection with the community they serve. They develop relationships that enable them to serve as an intermediary between health/social services and the community, and to facilitate access to necessary services. CHWs may work in a variety of settings within the broader community, and most often work with an underserved or marginalized population. They play an integral role in developing and providing services that are culturally appropriate and relevant to our patients. CHW’s typically have deep roots or shared life experiences in the populations served, and at SMHC, with the Hispanic/Latino community.
Our CHW’s definitely add a strong dimension to services provided by SMHC. They support interpreter needs, provide patient educational reinforcement, and schedule referrals and follow up appointments. A most important role for our CHW’s, is the support they provide in direct care within the clinic setting by being present with the patients, providers and clinical staff during appointments. They are knowledgeable and able to support patient follow up with instructions or referral needs in partnership with the supervising RN.
What is most notable over the past year has been the strength of the relationships developing with the patients and CHW’s. It is a mutually rewarding and extremely valuable relationship.
Going forward, our plan is to clarify, refine, and expand the role for all persons involved, strengthen the relationships with patients, enhance resources and knowledge for staff, and be open to explore ways the CHW’s can best support patients and families served by St. Mary’s Health Clinics!
Meet the Community Health Workers
Rosalinda Alle
I have so many reasons to say I am happy to work for St. Mary's Health Clinics. One important is building trust in our communities and having empathy for our patients. St. Mary's Health Clinics offers to our community a solid window of Health resources from the Mexican Consulate Ventanilla de Salud. As a CHW understanding of all the possible options for families in need, especially in this COVID-19 epidemic is vital. I am passionate about building lives through motivation and hope in the Latino community.
Katie Backberg
I work in conjunction with the medical team to provide patients with the necessary resources to manage their health concerns in a culturally appropriate manner. Listening to patients tell their stories is one way that helps us respond to them with the best care possible. I believe it is important to take a holistic approach to health care encouraging patients to make small changes and develop a healthy lifestyle. Small changes gradually can make a big difference. I love working at St. Mary’s Health Clinics as we provide accessible and quality medical care for those who need it the most.
Maria Espitia
My role as CHW at St Mary’s Clinics is serving as bridge of communication and guidance towards the Hispanic community. Relating culturally and environmentally with each person based on native/domestic backgrounds. Connection begins at the moment you meet/talk with your patient, their environment becomes visible through the patient words; the willingness to hide or share their health issues are determined by the words or phrases the CHW is willing to explorewith the patients. My highlights as a CHW are the connections with SMHC patients.
Ary Diaz
As a CHW I am a bridge between patients and the health care system. I provide culture appropriate education and help improve health care access. Being a CHW at SMHC is special because everyday I work on our mission, to provide affordable, accessible, quality healthcare to under served communities.
Adriana Guerra
As a CHW, I provide outreach and health education in Latino community settings; measure and monitor blood pressure, blood sugar and BMI; assist patients and community members navigate the health care system and provide social support and resources to patients and family members. I support clinic staff and patients in managing the care for a variety of health conditions. I coordinate the Latino health program at the Ecuadorian Consulate and Holy Rosary. I offer on-site education, assistance, screening, and referrals to SMHC or to other affordable health and community services. I also provide health education and screening activities at health fairs in local parishes and community sites and promote a variety of programs that encourage healthy living.