It Takes a Team
Submitted by Chestnut Health Systems
A resident, “Mary” of the Salvation Army shelter pumps a fist, and declares “together, we matter!” Finding her own success in recovery and overcoming hardship, she is looking to advocate for others in the community and be “the voice of the unheard.” Part of her advocacy is encouraging others to seek help from Chestnut Health Systems.
Mary suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from being the sole survivor in a critical car wreck and losing her four-month-old child. She has come a long way, with four years without substances.
“It’s been a roller coaster. But I’m stronger with the team I have right now. Now, it’s a battle that can be beat,” Mary said, referring to her team of Chestnut specialists, from a doctor who has relieved some physical pain by thinking to examine the source in a new way; to her counselor who “talked her off a cliff;” to Community Health Worker Karen Sours.
Sours walks beside her as she sees various pain specialists, accompanying her on her appointments to help her understand treatment.
“I don’t know where I’d be without Chestnut,” Mary said. “Karen has gone above and beyond the expected protocols.” Sours has been working with her for about a year now.
“She has come a long way,” Sours said while warming up the car so she can pick Mary up and transport her to an appointment. If there is one word to describe Sours, it would be survivor.
“I’ve been through a lot in my life and the way I got through it was thinking about how I would use it to help others going through the same thing,” she said. “It makes what I went through count for something.”
A team of community health workers are removing barriers to care in the Bloomington area.
Melissa Homler, another Chestnut community health worker, helps those who have been relying on the emergency room to establish regular care. She said most of her job is problem solving.
Building Trust
Community Health Worker Maria Acevedo helps the community’s Spanish speaking population. She’s often brought into meetings between Spanish speaking clients and case managers.
“The Hispanic population has a difficult time finding resources in town,” said Acevedo. “A lot of times they don’t know how much help they can get. When you speak the same language, it helps to build trust with the organization.”
Building trust is a big part of a community health worker’s job description. Many potential clients are reluctant to reach out. Trust is often achieved by listening to the client’s story and sharing their own.
Building trust can also be a simple gesture. Sean Boston simply said “Hi” to someone for several weeks before the client confided that his ear was in pain. A provider on Chestnut’s mobile unit evaluated the patient and was able to direct them to correct care.
Boston gains the trust of others out of his genuine interest in others’ well-being.
“I think people are pretty amazing. That’s why I love this job,” he said.
Mary’s journey, and the dedication of those walking alongside her, reflects the heart of Chestnut’s mission: meeting people where they are, honoring their stories, and reminding them that they are never alone. In the hands of community health workers, hope becomes something real, shared, and within reach.
Wanting to begin a new healthcare journey but not sure where to start? Call 888.924.3786 or visit chestnut.org to request an appointment.
Chestnut’s community health worker activities are funded by the Medicaid Innovation Collaborative (MIC), a partnership between Peoria-based OSF HealthCare and four Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), including the Chestnut Family Health Center in Bloomington. Funds for MIC come from the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services / Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives. The goal of MIC is to radically transform Medicaid delivery by using innovation to improve access to care, improve health care outcomes, and address unmet needs.
Chestnut Health Systems is a not-for-profit organization that has cared since 1973 for the most vulnerable in our communities. Chestnut provides substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery; mental health treatment; primary care; dental care; and housing and supportive services. It is a leader in behavioral health-related research through its Lighthouse Institute.