What began as a small blister on Loretta Medellin’s foot quickly spiraled into a health crisis that turned her world upside down. But thanks to Alameda Health System’s (AHS) commitment to serving all, regardless of ability to pay – and to Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid-funded public health insurance program – she received the expert care she needed to heal and rebuild her life.
“What happened to me can happen to anyone. Because of an unexpected medical condition, I went from having a job and a home to being homeless, uninsured and living with a chronic wound that nearly cost me my leg,” Medellin shared.
For more than 25 years, Medellin taught high school Spanish, raised two children and enjoyed the stability of good health and private insurance. But a blister that developed while attending a wedding, became a wound that wouldn’t heal. Her condition worsened and she found herself in a situation that she did not know how to navigate.
“I had no clue what services were available to me much less how to access them. It took a lot of phone calls, questions and research to discover Medi-Cal and Alameda Health System,” said Medellin, “Had it not been for these two I probably would find myself in a much more dire situation.”
Medellin shared that a specialist at another health system recommended amputation, something she was not prepared to accept, so she sought another opinion. That determination brought her to AHS and Creedon Advanced Wound Care, where she began intensive treatment, including six stem cell transplants.
This therapy promotes tissue repair and healing for chronic wounds that don’t respond to standard care. “The foot is especially vulnerable to chronic wounds because it’s a high-stress area in constant contact with surfaces,” explained Colin Traynor, MD, wound care specialist at AHS. “Blisters can easily become serious, particularly from ill-fitting shoes or repeated pressure.”
That’s why Creedon’s state-of-the-art care and dedicated team are so essential in helping the most complex wounds heal. It is a commitment to excellence that once again earned them the Center of Distinction Award from Healogics for achieving outstanding clinical outcomes.
This national recognition is reflected in patients like Medellin, whose healing and recovery was nothing short of transformative. Today, she enjoys good health and mobility and no longer relies on disability or Medi-Cal.
Healing was just the beginning of a new chapter for Medellin. “My recovery didn’t just restore my health, it reignited a sense of purpose for giving back in any way I can,” she shared. “I’ve made it my mission to educate people who find themselves in situations like mine and I work vigorously to inform them about the various services and programs that are available.”
Medellin has transformed her experience as a patient into a powerful voice for others, serving as chair of the Homeless Health Co-Applicant Board (CAB), a member of the Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC), and a volunteer at the adult clinic at the Wilma Chan Highland Hospital Campus (WCHHC).
Medellin’s renewed health, energy and purpose were on full display in May when she danced the night away at the Alameda Health System Foundation’s Soul of Spring event.
Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “Alameda Health System and the Medi-Cal program don’t just treat patients, they make expert care accessible to all. For me, these weren’t just a safety net. They were a path back to dignity, recovery and stability.”