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Personal Touch makes all the Difference "A Heart that Cares, Eyes that See, and Ears that Really Listen"
Dorothy S. was successfully managing her type 2 Diabetes before she lost her job and access to medical coverage. Unable to get the insulin she needed, Dorothy’s blood sugar levels soared out of control. Fortunately, she found a caring physician at Tri-City Health Center (TCHC) who helped restore her health, faith, and vigor in life.
As her diabetes went untreated, Dorothy's condition got worse. With blood glucose levels over 1,000, Dorothy was forced to spend ten days in Highland Hospital fighting to survive. Prior to her hospital discharge, and with no job or medical insurance, Dorothy was referred to Dr. Jan Dickey at TCHC. Dr. Dickey is a primary care physician specializing in caring for patients with diabetes. "I was badly shaken by my experience in the hospital," said Dorothy. "When you're that sick, you feel as though you're alone in the world. I figured I would simply receive 'run of the mill' care at Tri-City Health Center. But Dr. Dickey took his time to listen, and he really helped me come out of my depression."
In addition to Dr. Dickey's personal touch, the success of Tri-City's Diabetes Program stems from a diversified team of professionals committed to continuity of care. TCHC Scholarship Department enrolled Dorothy in a program where prescription drugs are provided to patients at no, or low cost. As a result, Dorothy was awarded a full year's supply of free insulin and supplies.
Eden Domingo, the RN Diabetes Case Manager, manages the Diabetes Education Program, at Tri-City Health Center. She personally reviews each individual’s Diabetes regimen when her patients come in to see Dr. Dickey. Together, Dr. Dickey and Eden Domingo, RN, create a bubble of confidence for patients by teaching and encouraging them how to maintain a healthy lifestyle through good nutrition and exercise.
At the end of each class, Eden hands out Certificates of Achievement to her patients to make them feel special, and to encourage them to continue. During her first year of Diabetes Education classes, Dorothy earned three certificates as she steadily reduced her HBA1C levels from 14.0 to 8.4.
Life has definitely turned around for Dorothy. She now qualifies for Medi-Cal which would allow her to return to her previous healthcare plan, but she's not moving away from Dr. Dickey. “He gave me the strength to stick with my exercise and diet program when no one else seemed to care about me. I am so much better today because of his personal involvement in my treatment. If the waiting room gets backed up, and I have to wait, I don't mind at all. He is one doctor worth waiting for. Dr. Dickey "has a heart that cares, eyes that see, and ears that really listen".
Dr. Dickey is wonderful; he takes time during my visit to answer all my questions. Thanks to Tri-City's Drug Scholarship program, I am able to keep my symptoms under control, and am starting to get my life back. Gayle M., TCHC patient
Gayle M. was a successful business woman with a career in sales, when a mid-life crisis left her homeless, divorced, and unemployed. Facing increasing health problems with no access to care, Gayle turned to Tri-City Health Center for medical care and help with the prescription drugs necessary to control high blood pressure and Diabetes.
After meeting with Member Services, Gayle discovered she qualified for Tri-City's Drug Scholarship Program, a program where prescription drugs are provided at no, or low cost to the patient. Currently, Gayle makes the trip to Fremont from her transitional housing unit in Hayward, taking BART, and walks 4 blocks to the Mowry Ave. clinic. Because Tri-City serves all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, Gayle is now receiving quality care for her Diabetes, and medication to keep her blood pressure under control.
"I used to be a multi-tasking queen in the business world, before my life took a turn for the worse", she said. "This is very humbling. Dr. Dickey is wonderful; he takes time during my visit to answer all my questions. Thanks to Tri-City's Drug Scholarship program, I am able to keep my symptoms under control, and am starting to get my life back".
Keena has been a patient of Dr. Mogri, our pediatrician and medical director, since her birth in the mid 1990s. During a recent medical exam, Dr. Mogri noticed Keena had lost significant weight. When asked about this, Keena admitted that she had not had menses for several months and was, it seems, always constipated. Keena also said she was not sexually active.
Dr. Mogri diagnosed Keena with Anorexia Nervosa and referred her to a specialist at a leading teaching hospital with the only program in the region specializing in treating pediatric patients with eating disorders. Because Keena was from a low-income family, we worked with the university’s department to complete the paper work needed to pave the way for admission.
Once she was admitted, Keena completed the 4-6 week program and was seeing a psychologist for follow-up care. One day, the psychologist called Dr. Mogri and said he was worried about Keena. He urged her to call Keena to schedule a medical work-up – which she did immediately. Upon doing so, however, Dr. Mogri found that the teenager was reluctant to come in out of fear that she would have to return to the eating disorders clinic.
Dr. Mogri patiently and persistently insisted Keena come in that day to talk about her experiences, and to also undergo some routine medical tests. Keena finally consented. During the office visit, Dr. Mogri noted that Keena was “white as a ghost,” and that her heart rate was 35 bpm – far below normal. Dr. Mogri knew the patient was in grave danger, and quickly made a referral to a cardiologist. The cardiologist determined that the ventricles of Keena’s heart had lost significant muscle mass, so he hospitalized her that day.
If not for their excellent rapport, it is doubtful Keena would have come in for the medical exam, and that her life would have been over within a day or two. Nearly two months later, Keena remains hospitalized. She is slowly gaining weight and her heart is growing stronger. Once she makes further progress, she will be moved from the hospital to a less intensive care facility. Hopefully, she will find the path to a rapid and full recovery.