MEET

I’m from this community, East Oakland, born and raised. I’m also a former patient of Highland Hospital.

I work as a nonclinical patient navigator. Our goal is to minimize disruptions and ensure that the patient receives uninterrupted care throughout the entire process.

Patient navigation is grounded in empowerment and equity and understanding the social determinants of health. That can mean lack of transportation, or having a job that doesn’t pay you for taking time off, being housing insecure or homeless. Whether it’s insurance, or social service benefits such as food stamps or disability, unemployment, just really life’s issues.

My work with patients has profoundly changed me. Sometimes, I think I have problems and then I get to work. It’s like, what am I complaining about, really? I’m feeling frustrated due to being caught in traffic, while someone else is in need of transportation assistance, and they don’t have a way to get to chemo. This work has made me reflect on my own privilege and feel more grateful and humble.

I work really hard to see beyond a patient’s medical records, because I know I was beyond what was presented in my medical records. Focusing only on the disease prevents us from seeing potential solutions and opportunities for resolving other issues. The patient’s humanity is where we should focus because that’s where the urgency lies. We can’t forget that, while we address the disease, the patient’s well-being should always remain a top priority.

I want our breast cancer patients to feel and know that we absolutely care for them. We see their dignity and their burdens, their fear. People deserve to have someone hold their hand when they’re scared. People deserve to have someone who understands and empathizes.

To our patients we say, we care about you, and we are fighting for you. In every area that we can, and in every area that we must. We’re fighting in front of the scenes and behind the scenes to make sure that we are able to provide you with the care that you deserve.