RyeCity REVIEW THE
January 20, 2023 | Vol. 10, Number 3 | www.ryecityreview.com
‘Wrap around’ services keep patients healthy at Open Door
HUSKIES BOUNCE BACK Mia Strazza takes the ball to the hole during Harrison’s game against Lourdes on Jan. 12. The Huskies rebounded from a tough loss to league rival Rye with a double-digit win over the Warriors. For story, see page 16. Photo/Mike Smith
WCA spotlights area’s life sciences ecosystem The Westchester County Office of Economic Development (OED) and the Westchester County Association (WCA) will host All Access Healthcare: Regional Life Sciences Outlook on Feb. 2 at the Auditorium at 30 Hamilton Avenue in White Plains. The tri-state region leads the nation in recent Life Science activity. Westchester County, in particular, is home to the largest life sciences cluster in New York State, with over 8,000 jobs, representing over 20% of the State’s total (private sector) life sciences employment. Speakers will discuss why the region has become a leading force in the life science sector, as well as the outlook going forward. The morning event will feature a panel discussion moderated by Mary Howard, Executive Director of FirstXFounder, and OED partner leading the Westchester County Biosciences Accelerator. Panel participants include Rajiv R. Ratan, M.D., Ph.D., Executive Director, Burke Neurological Institute; Teresa Leste, Principal, Deloitte Consulting; George Santo, Executive Director,
J.P. Morgan Life Sciences Commercial Banking; and Deborah Viola, MBA, Ph.D., Vice President, Office of Research and Grants Administration, Westchester Medical Center. Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Life sciences is an integral part of the Westchester County business ecosystem and a linchpin in our economy. Companies at various stages that call Westchester home have been able to adapt, adjust and continue to find success. This event will allow us to take a look at national trends, local innovations and how we can continue to support businesses in the life science industry throughout the region.” Westchester County Director of Economic Development Bridget Gibbons said, “The Office of Economic Development is invested in the continued growth and success of the life sciences industry, and are thrilled to partner with the Westchester County Association to highlight the latest trends and future outlook of this exciting space.” Deborah Novick, Westchester
County Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, said: “To maintain our competitive edge as a region, we must continue to have these conversations about the direction and growth of our life sciences economy. By looking at local breakthroughs, national trends and what future technologies can mean for the industry, we are better positioned to continue to not only compete, but be leaders in the sector.” Amy Allen, Vice President of WCA, said: “Westchester is home to leading academic medical systems in the region and a burgeoning life sciences industry. That’s a powerful combination with great potential for collaborative research between clinicians and nascent biotech firms. Events like this shine a spotlight on Westchester’s leading role in biotech innovation, helping to create new opportunities to drive scientific and medical breakthroughs and economic growth.” For more information and to register for the event, visit: https://www. westchester.org/events/all-access-healthcare-regional-life-sciences-outlook/.
Need to see your medical provider to discuss a health concern? Receive a flu shot? Get a checkup? The U.S. medical system currently typically gives you about 15 minutes. Or about the time it takes you to drink your morning coffee and, maybe, scarf down a piece of toast. This can be a problem for any patient, but particularly those who may be new to this country, have minimal or no medical insurance, speak little English, or have not seen a doctor in months or even years. This describes the realities of many patients at Open Door Family Medical Center, which is why the federally qualified health center offers “wrap around” or care coordination services to its patients – a bundle of services with origins 20 years ago in support of patients living with HIV. For patients who are generally healthy or managing non-critical, uncomplicated conditions, this means making sure they understand what the doctor just told them and educating them on next steps. For those patients with multiple chronic medical conditions like diabetes, asthma, cancer or heart disease, Open Door provides a personal care manager to accompany them to appointments with their medical specialists. Such services may hook patients up with a registered dietitian so they eat better, introduce them to a Spanish-speaking specialist, refer them to services offered by resources in the community (e.g. food pantries, support groups, legal service), or help them fill out the paperwork necessary for them to receive additional medical services.
The Pandemic
The pandemic greatly increased the need for these services at a time when many
patients were out of work, lost their medical benefits, and/or found food pantries and other community services closed. Many fell behind in meeting their health care needs. As a result, patient advocacy services at Open Door, which had been trending up pre-pandemic, soared 27 percent from 2019 to 2021 (accounting for more than 21,500 visits at Open Door’s sites in Ossining, Brewster, Port Chester, Mamaroneck, Sleepy Hollow, Mount Kisco, and Saugerties).
By Definition
“When we talk about ‘wrap around’ services, it’s really about all those things that happen beyond the exam room,” said Andrea Ruggiero, Executive Vice President of Community Health at Open Door. “Our patients have really complex lives and it goes beyond health care. It impacts the way they live – the food they eat, where they live, and their mental health. So, if they come in for a flu vaccine, we aren’t just responding to this, but also looking at what’s going on in the context of their lives. Do they have food to eat? Stable housing? Are there other barriers they face to getting good health care?” When Ruggiero first arrived at Open Door 19 years ago, HIV case managers were already in place. “We saw that our patients were having a positive experience,” she said. “They were taking their medication, showing up for appointments, engaging actively in their care. So, we decided to replicate it.” This has grown over the years to include a team consisting of care managers, patient advocates and navigators, wellness coordinators and digital literacy specialists. For one patient, it now means
see WRAP 4