Teresa Stafford
March 2020
Teresa
Stafford
,
RN
Surgical Center
Cleveland Clinic Wooster Family Health Center
Wooster
,
OH
United States
Teresa listened intently, showed compassion, and where appropriate provided much-needed suggestions.
I wanted to pass on my compliments towards Teresa and the Cleveland Clinic's Health Care Coordinator program. Prior to Teresa calling me in November to ask about and express concerns regarding my father, I had never heard of a Health Care Coordinator. After two unbelievable encounters with Teresa, I have a much better understanding and a great appreciation for her and the position.
Teresa initially called me asking how my father was doing, he is 87 years old and has a terminal Interstitial Lung Disease. Our family has struggled with not only my father's health but also his stubborn attitude toward living independently in his home alone. Teresa listened intently, showed compassion, and where appropriate provided much-needed suggestions. Her guidance helped us get my father to agree to sign a Health Care POA and Living Will. Upon hanging up with Teresa on this initial call, I was so elated I immediately called my two out-of-state siblings to tell them of the call with Teresa.
Last week, I had some concerns about a Nurse Practitioner appointment for my father and called Teresa from the lobby 15 minutes prior to the appointment. She immediately came to the lobby to meet us, walked with us to the office, and stayed with us through the appointment. She immediately connected with my father and got him to admit he would appreciate having home health care. Before leaving the appointment, my father agreed to palliative care and 3 days later we met with LifeCare Hospice & Palliative Care, with my father signing up for their service. This is something we could never get my father to agree to. Without Teresa, along with help from the Nurse Practitioner, I have little confidence we could have accomplished this.
We also were concerned about getting lab results the following day along with any necessary prescriptions as my father's Family physician and his Nurse Practitioner were on vacation. Teresa immediately volunteered to baby-sit the lab results and get them to his Dr. and would call us back the following day with results and instructions. She followed up as promised. I would have never dreamed of such a high level of care and individual attention. I love this Health Care Coordinator position and would have never dreamed of getting such caring assistance not only for my father but for our entire family. I want to stress my appreciation to all of you and the Cleveland Clinic for this service. This is just what the Dr. ordered for all of us.
Teresa initially called me asking how my father was doing, he is 87 years old and has a terminal Interstitial Lung Disease. Our family has struggled with not only my father's health but also his stubborn attitude toward living independently in his home alone. Teresa listened intently, showed compassion, and where appropriate provided much-needed suggestions. Her guidance helped us get my father to agree to sign a Health Care POA and Living Will. Upon hanging up with Teresa on this initial call, I was so elated I immediately called my two out-of-state siblings to tell them of the call with Teresa.
Last week, I had some concerns about a Nurse Practitioner appointment for my father and called Teresa from the lobby 15 minutes prior to the appointment. She immediately came to the lobby to meet us, walked with us to the office, and stayed with us through the appointment. She immediately connected with my father and got him to admit he would appreciate having home health care. Before leaving the appointment, my father agreed to palliative care and 3 days later we met with LifeCare Hospice & Palliative Care, with my father signing up for their service. This is something we could never get my father to agree to. Without Teresa, along with help from the Nurse Practitioner, I have little confidence we could have accomplished this.
We also were concerned about getting lab results the following day along with any necessary prescriptions as my father's Family physician and his Nurse Practitioner were on vacation. Teresa immediately volunteered to baby-sit the lab results and get them to his Dr. and would call us back the following day with results and instructions. She followed up as promised. I would have never dreamed of such a high level of care and individual attention. I love this Health Care Coordinator position and would have never dreamed of getting such caring assistance not only for my father but for our entire family. I want to stress my appreciation to all of you and the Cleveland Clinic for this service. This is just what the Dr. ordered for all of us.