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SALUTE TO CASE MANAGERS... SALUTE TO CASE MANAGERS... SALUTE TO CA

GOOD SAMARITAN MEDICAL CENTER MEMORIAL REGIONAL HOSPITAL

Jeannie Lavoie Gail Weinbrenner, RN, CCM

Jeannie Lavoie is the clinical coordinator and manager in the A member of the Memorial Healthcare System and
case management department for Good Samaritan Medical Memorial Regional Hospital families for 16 years, Gail
Center. Lavoie started working at Good Sam in January of Weinbrenner is most passionate about her role as a
2019 but has over 20-years of experience working in case patient advocate. She brings vast case management expe-
management. Her responsibilities include, assisting with com- rience and attention to detail in what are often complex
plex discharges, and in educating the team on Medicare and discharge situations, with what’s best for patients and
Managed Care rules and regulations. One of her favorite parts families as her ultimate goal. A willingness to go the
of the job is teaching and mentoring others in the case man- extra mile in these cases is a reputation Weinbrenner is
agement office. Prior to her time at Good Samaritan Medical proud to have earned.
Center, Lavoie served as a denials coordinator, and lead case Certified in case management, Weinbrenner is also a
manager at another South Florida hospital. Lavoie has a degree mentor to other RN case managers and medical social
from Grady Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and also a workers at Memorial Regional Hospital, a level 1 emer-
bachelor’s of science from Chamberlain University College of Nursing. gency room and trauma center equipped to handle the
most critical cases.

BROWARD HEALTH INTERNATIONAL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WEST

Broward Health International’s Maria Elena Tan, RN, BSN
Case Management Team Manages
After 37 years as an ICU and bedside nurse and more
Services and Care for Overseas Patients than 20 years with Memorial Healthcare System, main-
taining patient safety and satisfaction is still what drives
Maria Elena Tan. “We’re able to help people overwhelmed
by stress during difficult times. To be someone who can
be relied upon to positively impact lives isn’t just a job, it’s
a personal commitment,” said Tan, who keeps a col-
league’s note thanking her for being the ‘epitome of dedi-
cation.’
Tan develops and coordinates individual care plans for
those having surgery at Memorial’s joint replacement center and helps them navigate
the discharge process. She also participates in weekly pre-op classes, monthly per-
formance reviews, and mentors new nurses on how to effectively work with case man-
agement.
“I’m passionate about my work,” said Tan after five years as a case manager at
Memorial Hospital West. “I’m in the right place. I love this hospital and its mission to
heal the body, mind, and spirit of those we touch.”

(l-r) Donna Bagley, Stephanie Graham, Christiana Jinadu, Sue Brown, MEMORIAL HOSPITAL PEMBROKE
Claudette Martin and Julia Lacaba
Lis Caro, RN
Each year tourists from around the world flock to Broward County for its beaches,
restaurants and sunny weather. They also come for the quality healthcare at Broward
Health International. Lis Caro’s audience is nervous, in an unfamiliar envi-
While visiting a foreign country for pleasure alone can be overwhelming, the stress ronment, and worried about what the future might bring.
is further amplified when medical attention is needed. The International Case It’s her role to be honest, calm fears, build trust, manage
Management Team at Broward Health International is able to make the experience a expectations, and ultimately create a discharge plan that
little less daunting as it helps patients and their families navigate through the hospi- meets the needs of patients and families. All while easing
tal experience, providing high-quality care and service. the transition to the next destination.
The department is comprised of registered nurses and a social worker, with expert- Caro has been with Memorial Hospital Pembroke for
ise in case management of international patients. Many of the RNs have certifications the past four years and is currently its manager of clinical
in case management or rehabilitation nursing. Covering all aspects of the interna- effectiveness. “Families can trust me to be their advocate
tional healthcare marketplace, the team takes a collaborative approach to ensure that and use my expertise to develop an individualized plan
each patient receives the best possible medical treatment and patient experience. that will make a very difficult time easier. Being a liaison to the medical staff, working
“One-on-one concierge customer service is at the heart of Broward Health with insurance companies to secure equipment, and guiding patients from admission
International, and its bilingual and culturally diverse concierge specialists oversee a to discharge is some of what I do.”
multitude of complex and challenging cases”, said Gabriella West, International Caro says honesty, reliability, professionalism, and persistence are some of the
Program Director for Broward Health. “Our goal is to welcome guests to South qualities that have helped her have success as a case manager.
Florida and to help navigate patients through every step of the process.”
Each day case managers may face a myriad of tasks ranging from the coordination
of global transfers to managing length of stays, scheduling repatriation of remains,
coordinating follow-up physician appointments, transportation, lodging, and dis-
charge. They also provide continuous support to patients in an effort to ensure max- PALMETTO GENERAL HOSPITAL
imum continuity of care and are available 24/7.
Broward Health International is proud to recognize the efforts, led by Sue Brown,
Donna Bagley, Stephanie Graham, Christiana Jinadu, Claudette Martin, Julia Lacaba, Claudia Cardona
Rebecca Cruz, Ingrid Chen, Jessica Cruz and Suzan Mitchell for the hard work, pas-
sion and dedication they put into managing each case. Claudia Cardona started working at Palmetto General
While cases are often demanding and multifaceted, the International Case Hospital as a nurse in July 2012. In November, 2014, she
Management team has demonstrated its resilience as its managers work tirelessly to transitioned to a case manager role. As a case manager at
ensure positive outcomes. Their teamwork and unyielding commitment to the well- Palmetto General Hospital, she facilitates patients along
being of patients’ and their loved ones make Broward Health International a leader the continuum of care so they can have a safe discharge.
in world-class healthcare. She works closely with the operational team as well as the
physicians and nursing staff at the hospital. Claudia
attended Miami Dade College and received her Associates
Degree in science. In her spare time she enjoys arts and
crafts activities and spending time with her family.

24 October 2019 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News