Jose Maciel
January 2022
Jose
Maciel
,
BSN, RN
4 South
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
Philadelphia
,
PA
United States
This is where Jose stepped in knowing something didn’t sound right. Who knew this nurse would be the one with an instrumental connection?
One day I was working in the ED assisting with translating the news to a patient that his tumor was suspicious for cancer. The next day, I was working on 5 South when I noticed the same patient as I walked by his room. As I stopped by to say hello, his primary nurse walked in. What a coincidence I thought. The nurse, who was pulled from another floor that day, is fluent in Spanish.
Jose was a blessing to this patient as they made it easier to communicate with the patient. True destiny! The nurse asked me how I knew the patient. I explained how the team on the day that I was caring for him thought they were at a pivotal point with his care because the patient didn’t have any insurance. The only option the patient had that morning was to go back to Mexico without treatment. This is where Jose stepped in knowing something didn’t sound right. Who knew this nurse would be the one with an instrumental connection?
Jose made a phone call to the nurse coordinator at Puentes De Salud, whom this nurse knew personally from time spent working at the clinic during an internship where this nurse learned that certain diagnoses qualify patients for Emergency Medical Assistance (EMA) including cancer. Jose discovered EMA would also cover chemo, radiation, and retroactively cover his hospital stay. With the phenomenal support of the covering provider, Physician Assistant, Social Worker, the dedicated staff at Puentes De Salud, and the physicians at HUP’s Head and Neck Oncology clinic, the patient was able to get a speedy appointment. The patient learned that if his tumor was operable, he would be able to receive a robotic surgical resection and free flap reconstruction! Because of Jose’s compassion, dedication, and commitment to this patient, and the wonderful team at Penn Medicine, this patient has another fighting chance at life.
It’s these stories that continually sets Penn Medicine apart from the rest! It’s these touching moments that validate our mission and make, “Your life worth Penn Medicine!” This nurse is new to the practice and brings nothing but positive energy to the floor each and every day. Without a doubt, this nurse’s passion and work ethic go above and beyond the bedside.
Jose was a blessing to this patient as they made it easier to communicate with the patient. True destiny! The nurse asked me how I knew the patient. I explained how the team on the day that I was caring for him thought they were at a pivotal point with his care because the patient didn’t have any insurance. The only option the patient had that morning was to go back to Mexico without treatment. This is where Jose stepped in knowing something didn’t sound right. Who knew this nurse would be the one with an instrumental connection?
Jose made a phone call to the nurse coordinator at Puentes De Salud, whom this nurse knew personally from time spent working at the clinic during an internship where this nurse learned that certain diagnoses qualify patients for Emergency Medical Assistance (EMA) including cancer. Jose discovered EMA would also cover chemo, radiation, and retroactively cover his hospital stay. With the phenomenal support of the covering provider, Physician Assistant, Social Worker, the dedicated staff at Puentes De Salud, and the physicians at HUP’s Head and Neck Oncology clinic, the patient was able to get a speedy appointment. The patient learned that if his tumor was operable, he would be able to receive a robotic surgical resection and free flap reconstruction! Because of Jose’s compassion, dedication, and commitment to this patient, and the wonderful team at Penn Medicine, this patient has another fighting chance at life.
It’s these stories that continually sets Penn Medicine apart from the rest! It’s these touching moments that validate our mission and make, “Your life worth Penn Medicine!” This nurse is new to the practice and brings nothing but positive energy to the floor each and every day. Without a doubt, this nurse’s passion and work ethic go above and beyond the bedside.