April 2023
Tara
Czarnowsky
,
RN
Patient Care Services
Sentara Medical Group
Woodbridge
,
VA
United States
Tara has worked with the Mobile Van Clinic extensively to have the patient establish care to be seen and have his medical needs monitored as he is uninsured.
Tara goes above and beyond on a regular basis and has shown exemplary commitment to patients. She has spent an extraordinary amount of time working with a non-English speaking patient and his sister, neither of whom can read or write in English or their native language. This patient is uninsured and was connected with a Sentara Medical Group (SMG) PCP and SMG anticoagulation appt upon hospital discharge. Both the patient and his sister have been difficult to reach by phone and do not consistently come to appointments. Tara has been persistent in her follow-up and has collaborated with several clinics to provide this patient with the care he needs. Due to the multitude of barriers, Tara has worked closely with the virtual Anticoagulation clinic. On several occasions, Tara has followed up post-lab appointments and scheduled time to sit with the patient in the office. During this time, she has reviewed the medications, contacted the Anticoagulation nurse to receive orders, and has then drawn pictures on a calendar for him to understand his dosing instructions. Tara has worked with the Mobile Van Clinic extensively to have the patient establish care to be seen and have his medical needs monitored as he is uninsured. After several missed contacts with the Financial Counselor with the Mobile Van Clinic, Tara spent several hours with the patient to complete the application through the interpreter, work with the sister to obtain a hardship letter, contacted the Financial Counselor with the patient there, and submitted the paperwork for him once complete. The patient's application has now been approved, he has established care with the provider for the Mobile Van Clinic, and they will be monitoring his Warfarin levels and providing care while he remains uninsured. If not for Tara’s persistence and tenacity, this patient would likely have been lost to follow-up. Amazing teamwork, care coordination, and patience!