Community Wide Access Team: front row, Linda Johnson, Ernestine Turner, Donna Jennings and Jessica Webster; back row, Kim Schneider, Porsche Gregory, Tiara Adams, Providence Hutchins, Lakia Johnson and Patricia Witte; not pictured, Elisabeth Ackerson, Teresa Burrell, Trina Fitchett, Shirley McCormack-Jackson, Dianna Meekins, Jatoyai Nixon, Kristina Parker-Burris, Stephanie Phillips, Jessica Salazar, Ellene Smith, Shenovia Stephens, Roxanne Stanford, Andrea Wright and Kim Zajcevski.Chestertown Patient Access Team: Donna Ingram, Melanie Coultas, Donna Seward, Barbara Coleman: Not pictured are Sarena McKnight (supervisor), Mary Williams, Tracy Draper, Latisha Kyle, Lynda Bigelow, Annetta Graves, Paula Warren, Sarah Brown, Emma Doll, Emily Voshell, Kristen Faust, Matthew Lockerman and Krista Leonard.Also in Chestertown: Doris Paul and Orgirinia Graves
Established in 1982, Patient Access Week is a celebration of the people in the Patient Access profession. April 5 marks the anniversary of the founding of the National Association of Healthcare Access Management (NAHAM), the only national professional organization dedicated to promoting excellence within the field.
In the face of our quickly changing healthcare environment, one constant at UM Shore Regional Health is the Patient Access Department.
As noted by Inez Freeman, patient access supervisor, “The first interaction patients have is with the Patient Access department, which makes it so necessary to have a friendly face to connect with.”
Easton Outpatient Access Team: front, Felicia Hitch and Vanessa Perron; back, Sandra Branham (supervisor), Amber Siskey, Theresa Taylor, Teresa Ames, Sheila Dunning, Evette Johns, Renna McKinney, Kevin Johnson. Not pictured: manager Linda Porter, Ann Bilbrough, Melissa Singleton and Enrika Gardner.DIC Access Team: front row, Rwanda Stanley, Tina Stoltz, Yolanda Ricketts, Marcell Pritchett and Arletta Pitt; back row: Rhonda Quidas, Betty Watkins and Joyce Banks; not pictured: Charlene Brice (supervisor), Sherita Little, Terri Love, Nancy Baker and Ruth Scudder.The Dorchester Patient Access Team: seated, Betty Edgar, Jackie Thompson and Chanere Christian (supervisor); standing, Kimberly Boulden, Kimberly Hughes, Lynette Turner and Sherri Taylor. Not shown are La’Shawne Hayes, Stephanie Hill, Jyneka Greene, Dontre King, Mary Ann Strickland, Jennifer Simmons, Constance Thomas, Kathy Flamer, Crystal Banks, Linda Lesperance, Cassie Handsuz, Alexandra Strakes, Tanzannica Chester and Penny Coursey.
Patient Access representatives fill the roles of receptionists, registration, insurance verification, financial counseling, scheduling and telecommunications attendants in the health care organization. In an average day, the Patient Access Department handles a variety of requests from many people, including physicians, nurses and patients.
“We look for positive representatives with a friendly demeanor when hiring. Our patient access team has goals centered on the exceptional patient experience”, says Patient Access Manager Linda Porter. “It has been proven that skills can be trained, but kindness and warmth must be present for the first impression. Our job is to ease their concerns in a caring and efficient manner.”
Patients sometimes feel apprehensive and need support. “When people aren’t feeling well we need to be fast, accurate and, friendly,” Patient Access Supervisor Chanere Christian, says. “If we don’t do our job right, the problems carry throughout the hospital.”
Easton ED Access Team: Laurie Rowan, Stephen Sheedy, Nicole Hubbard, Inez Freeman and Danielle Salazar-Hart; not pictured, Sylvia Hayes, Carlotta Johnson, Connie Carter, Dan Mautz, Temina Chambers, Norlaine Lucas, Danielle McClain, Kelly Elzey, LaDonya McKnight, Cindy Haddaway, Kinya Handy, Cindi Link, Raenell Santamaria and Mikeshia WilsonEaston Switchboard: Sandra Cornish, Darlene Smith and Judy Freeman; not pictured, Genine Meekins, Katherine Morris, Lisa Perry, Tara Laity, Brenda Gaines-Blake, Shantay Perkins, Julie Harrison, Joanne Tolson and Lisa Howeth
Please note: Not pictured in this story are Patient Access team members in Queenstown (Tina Hyde, Sheldon Turner, Jessica Winstead, Barbara Nealon, Elvis Sharpe and Crystal Tickner, Vi Wallace and, Megan Murphy) and Denton (Dewanna Caperoon and Shannon Wattay).
Let’s offer our appreciation to the Patient Access Team at UM Shore Regional Health who daily serve our patients, visitors, physicians, staff members and community.
