We recognize the valuable contributions of every team member within Baystate Health to enhance patient experience and facilitate access to top-notch care. At Baystate Health, access to health means meeting the needs of our patients according to their wants and needs – sustainably and equitably. It takes every team member to make this happen. From our dedicated front-line team to our essential support staff.
Allow us to introduce you to one of these exceptional team members—Lilly Rodriguez, a Guest Service Ambassador in the Food and Nutrition department at Baystate Medical Center.
Lilly shares her thoughts on how her role in Food and Nutrition contributes to access and helps our patients and community connect with the care they need.
1. When thinking about Baystate Health and our patients, how would you define “access to care”?
Having patients who can easily find care in the community in which they live. My job at Baystate allows me to have the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life each day. I can also provide information to patients for access to care once they leave Baystate and head home.
2. How do you help patients access care in your role or help BH improve accessibility to care?
In my role, I help patients access care through assisting as they order for their diet, help them with achieving their goals when they are diabetic. I then can offer services which we provide as a department, setting up a consult with a dietitian.
3. Tell us about a specific example of a time when you helped facilitate access to care that a patient needed or worked on a project that helped improve accessibility to care?
One example I can share is when a patient presents with a language barrier, I can read and translate the menu to them, which allows them to access nutrition which helps to improve their health prior to leaving to go home.
4. What other Baystate Health team members do you need to coordinate and work with in your role to enable access to care?
I coordinate with a large group, nurses, physicians, and dietitians daily, we all work as a team to provide access to food which is a large part of the patients care plan.
An example is, I may have a patient that is unhappy with their diet, through interactions with these other disciplines, we connect to ensure the patient is receiving the best care.
5. Why do you think access is so key to our ability to meet our mission?
One of the biggest factors that I feel patients need is the human connection. My job is to visit patients and identify areas that I can involve other teams to improve their care, thus meeting our mission.
Looking to make a positive impact like Lilly? Take a look at our open career opportunities.
You Belong at Baystate: BaystateHealthJobs.com
