1. What is your role/position with NHCLV and which location do you work at? How long have you worked for the organization?
My role is Health Educator/Lifestyle Coach specializing in the Pre-Diabetes CDC program, Diabetes Self-Management groups. In addition to these groups a Diabetes Support group meets once a month and is open to the community. I currently work out of all three NHCLV sites. Our diabetes Prevention Program has received the honor of attaining Full CDC Recognition nationwide. We’ve had great success stories and outcomes. I started at NHCLV 2 years ago.
2. Why do you think an FQHC is important in caring for members of the Lehigh Valley community?
NHCLV centers offer the best health care to all our patients. Our physicians have the biggest hearts. They have a deep sense of what the needs are of our patients and our communities. Our patients come to us with personal, physical and emotional needs and limitations. At our clinics I learned that no one walks away from our FQHC community health centers without receiving proper attention. What I love most about our centers is that in our eyes everyone deserves the same treatment of care.
3. What’s the most important thing you have learned working for an FQHC?
Working at an FQHC has made a huge impact on my life forever. Up until my arrival at NHCLV I never knew what it was like to see homelessness, to look at the fear on the faces of our patients. They come to us from their countries without understanding how our health care system functions. I watch our neighborhood children come to our clinics and see that all of our clinical staff perpetually wear smiles.
4.What do you love most about your job?
What I love most about my job is I know that I’m coming to a place where my coworkers make me feel happy and my patients make me pleased and thankful that we crossed paths. I am able to teach them about their illness and they teach me about their lifestyle.
5. What one piece of advice do you have for patients when it comes to caring for their health?
My one piece of advice is to be always be watchful of their health and to communicate with their care team without fear of judgement.