Humans of NHC: Omolara

Where are you from?

I’m from the West Side of Chicago. How I grew up gave me the desire to work with people in general. I have a background of studying psychology, criminal justice, and sociology in college, and now studying PRiS with a concentration in human services.

What is your role?

I am transitioning into the Coordinator, Integrated, Refugee Camp Immigrant role because I enjoy working with the Refugee Health team and want to get more involved! The role I just stepped out of was as a patient support specialist assigned to the Refugee Health team. I would check refugee patients in, help them fill out registration forms, help them get used to the American health system, verify their insurances, and make sure they have it for the next step in their journey (prep work for the team).

What made you decide to work at Tapestry 360 Health?

I have always worked in customer service; Up until a year ago I was working as a retail manager for a large retail corporation. After six years, I decided I needed a change to fit with my career goals. When I first got to Tapestry as a patient support specialist, what drew me in was their mission statement and the fact that they are a FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center). We put our patients’ needs first, no matter background, financial state, or needs. When I started working, I was assigned to the Refugee Health team providers as their PSS. After seeing the work the rest of the team was doing I realized I had grown to love the program and wanted to be more involved, so I chose to apply for the Coordinator, Integrated, Refugee Camp Immigrant opening and was offered the job.

What is the best part about your job?

Being able to make the transition easier for the patients, especially since refugee patients come in knowing nothing about the American health system. Refugee patients often need to adjust to our American standards, and sometimes come in for their appointment hours late. I liked the opportunity to communicate with them and explain how to be on time for appointments.

What are some difficulties you encounter with the patient populations you work with?

Timing and punctuality due to cultural differences and language barriers even with interpretation services are the two biggest ones. I end up emphasizing appointment time, the doctor’s name and location, as well as dates for appointments more with refugee patients than other patients. I make sure I have more patience with the people I meet because I want my communication to be effective so that patients are literate in their health. I want to make sure they fully understand what I am telling them.

How do you partner with AmeriCorps?

Sometimes our providers put on the care notes that they want our patients to see our AmeriCorps health educator, and I make sure to partner with our health educator by letting her know or by asking if our health educator is willing to talk with our patients about some nutrition or education-related topics.