... Kevin is an RN Case Manager who has worked out of both the Erwin St (WH) and Hodencamp Rd (Thousand Oaks) clinics of the Department of Psychiatry at the Woodland Hills Medical Center. Kevin was among the first in the role of full-time case managers (either RN or LCSW/LMFT)in the department and, as amongst the "first", he has been responsible along with a few others for largely defining this role in a department that had little experience with case management services.

In his role, Kevin took case management services in the department to a new level,initiating innovative in community outreach services to chronically mental ill patients who had many and complex problems. In order to bring services to the patent (and not require them to come to us), he had to flex his schedule to meet patients in the hospital, during scheduled outpatient medical visits with physician care givers, or in the community at venues that the patient normally frequents - the coffee shop, the laundromat, or outside the hospital on a park bench. Kevin has gone the extra mile, linking together a network of providers and basic social, financial, and medical services where no or few linkages had been before. In taking services to his patients, Kevin was able to gain the trust of his patients in a way few others had been able to do in the past. With his "bearish" frame but gentle demeanor , Kevin is able to disinhibit a patient and establish quick and easy rapport. His care and compassion shine through as he establishes productive relationships with his patients. He has a unique ability to test reality clearly and firmly with his patients in a way that motivates them to make necessary and positive changes.

Of the many lives Kevin has touched, one case stands out with particular note that I would like to tell you about. This gentleman had a long history of frequent emergency department visits and multiple hospitalizations. He was on the streets, alone and homeless. He would indiscriminately spend his monthly pay early in the month only to use psychiatric hospitalization as shelter and bed for the remainder of the month. He was out of touch with his family, having alienated them over many years by broken promises and dashed expectations. Kevin got to know this man and began to understand him. He met him in various places - in the hospital, during a primary care visit, on the streets, or in a coffee shop. He gained his trust, becoming as one of his family, together they celebrated his birthdays and holidays. Kevin took up a collection and got him clothing. Kevin obtained a conservator and had him placed on a short allowance. Kevin extended a friendship and restored hope and dignity to a man who had forgotten what those were. Today this man has virtually stopped his ER visits and hospitalizations . He is in a 'board and care'. He is developing a family. He is in touch with Kevin who continues to help him obtain the medical and social services he needs. Kevin embodies the KP vision of bringing customized care to individual patients, one patient at a time .

In support of his role with his patients, Kevin has additionally put in many hours and done major work (chart reviews) collaborating with a local improvement advisor and regional senior data analyst to drill into the drivers behind why our patients were not showing for post-hospital follow-up visits. His ground breaking work was a major contributing factor to the department identifying key action steps which enabled us to achieve the performance targets for the HEDIS post-hospital follow-up measures for the very first time at the end of 2014. For all the work he has done both with and in support of our patients, the department places Kevin Smith in nomination for the DAISY Award.