A Community Health Worker’s Role in Helping Patients through the COVID-19 Pandemic
Posted on July 28, 2020
Perspectives of a Patient and a Community Health Worker (CHW)
“As a patient of Baystate Mason Square Neighborhood Health Center (BMSNHC), my experiences have been somewhat challenging because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines for accessing health care changed, which prevented me from just walking in for service as I was accustomed to doing, especially with my underlying health condition. However, on a positive note, the BMSNHC community liaison staff provided me with a number of resources I needed, such as informing me about how telehealth visits work, explaining how to file for unemployment, giving me a list of food pantries near my home and drug stores that have drive-up pharmacy service, etc. I was able to share this information with other patients I’ve been in touch with.”
– Kenneth B. Downes
“As a Community Health Worker, I support families by obtaining written information regarding community resources. These include lists of organizations that can help with housing, day-to-day household goods, food and baby supplies. The General Pediatrics ACO team supports families with biweekly donations of produce, canned goods and poultry. We have a food pantry located in the clinic that can be used by patients in an emergency.
“I try to help families the best I can during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some families are having a difficult time and are fearful of the circumstances. We try every week to reach out to see how they are doing. We also bring them donations of fresh fruits and vegetables.”
– Carolyn Martinez, CHW, Baystate General Pediatrics
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Hank Douglas, CHW (left), and Erasmo Torres, MA, and Maria Landrau, PSR (right) – Mason Square and Brightwood staff conducting symptom checks for arriving patients.
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