Dayane Mesadri, an RN Case Manager at Naval Hospital Okinawa, part of our Japan Allied Health contract supervised by Jen Juliano, was assigned a challenging case of a 2-year-old girl diagnosed with a brain tumor. Although the child was not affiliated with the military or Tricare, she arrived at the ER at Naval Hospital Okinawa with Aetna insurance. Faced with significant challenges, including language barriers and time zone differences, Dayane proactively coordinated the girl’s care.
The child’s condition was critical; she was experiencing weight loss, unable to walk, and the Japanese hospital refused to perform surgery due to funding issues with her insurance. The family, feeling desperate, turned to Dayane for assistance. She contacted Aetna’s headquarters in Arizona to facilitate a medical transfer to the U.S., which was the family's preference. Initially, Aetna rejected the request, but Dayane did not give up. She engaged her leadership at NH Okinawa and enlisted Captain Cooperman, the Commanding Officer, to reach out to the Pentagon. The Pentagon agreed to arrange a flight on a reimbursable basis, and after additional discussions, Aetna consented to cover the $400,000 difference for the air travel. Dayane carefully coordinated with the medical team, the Japanese hospital, and the airline, overcoming numerous hurdles, including securing landing rights at a Japanese airport and managing the necessary passport arrangements.
Additionally, Dayane ensured the girl’s medical records were translated into English and obtained essential imaging from the Japanese hospital, despite incurring a considerable upfront fee. Throughout this process, she provided emotional support to the family, even attending the child's birthday celebration. In spite of a looming storm that threatened to delay the transfer, Dayane successfully facilitated the girl's journey to Kansas City, where she underwent surgery. She is now receiving further treatment at St. Jude's. Without Dayane's unwavering commitment, the child may not have received the life-saving care she desperately needed.
Goldbelt Glacier is truly privileged to have an outstanding professional like Dayane on our team. Her relentless efforts, dedication, and profound compassion have made an indelible impact on this family's life, underscoring her as a beacon of excellence within our organization.
