HealthPartners

It’s possible for patients to receive hospital-level care inside their homes. HealthPartners Hospital@Home director Tia Radant and medical director Dr. Chrisanne Timpe talk about the program’s evolution as “the virtual unit,” which types of patients are ideal candidates for getting acute care at home, and the role community paramedics and other care team members play in treating patients. “Off the Charts” is available on most podcast platforms. Subscribe today.

Andi Hillestad is known for her problem-solving skills, compassion, and creativity. Andi is a nurse on the neuroscience floor of Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital. She didn’t plan on becoming a nurse, but it turned out to be the perfect fit for her. “Every day you encounter people with specific problems and needs and you have to figure out how to fix them," she says. "Nursing captures those facets of my personality.” Andi cares deeply about both her patients and colleagues. She brings homemade gifts and food to patients, doing whatever she can to brighten their day. And for her colleagues, she helps organize celebrations like Losar, the Tibetan New Year. She also celebrates their milestones and offers support during tough times, earning her the title of "unit mom." Andi is a partner for good, but emphasizes that her success is rooted in the strength of her team. “We do scary stuff together, and I think that environment causes people to have intensely strong bonds with each other,” she says. “They’re so smart and caring, and they have such a commitment to providing quality care for people who need help.”

HealthPartners’ integrated care and coverage includes our dental group, which is great for our patients. The dental group has the only electronic medical record in the state that integrates with patients’ oral health care and coverage. That means our patients’ dentists know their oral health history, which saves time and energy and makes for better informed care. You can learn more about this integration at a Minnesota Oral Health Coalition Community Conversation featuring our dentists, Dr. Todd Thierer and Dr. Kevin Nakagaki. The event is Wednesday, March 5 at noon and you can watch the conversation at this Zoom link: https://bit.ly/4i45jdq

Physical therapist Amanda Elliott is bringing joy and connection to patients living with Parkinson’s disease. Amanda leads a popular exercise class at our Neuroscience Center, but it’s about more than just fitness. The class serves as a support group of sorts where patients compare notes with each other on medications and their experiences with the disease. For many patients, the class is life changing. “Research has found that exercise can delay the progression of the physical changes of Parkinson’s disease,” Amanda says. “This is an area where I felt I could be really impactful.” Amanda is a partner for good — changing lives one fitness class at a time.

Calling all athletic trainers and students! Want to connect with athletic trainers or interview for a job at TRIA Orthopedics? We've got you covered! Join us for a virtual networking event on Friday, February 28th, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.! Our TRIA team will be conducting job interviews and answering your questions about athletic training. Reserve a 45-minute slot to connect with experienced professionals and gain valuable career insights: https://lnkd.in/dtYQYVwX We're also offering a $3,000 sign-on bonus for athletic trainers. Don’t miss this opportunity to jump-start your career in athletic training! #Networking #AthleticTraining #CareerGrowth #TRIAOrthopedics #treadybyTRIA

Congratulations to our President and CEO, Andrea Walsh, who was recently elected to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis’ board of directors.

Dr. Tom Blee, a trauma surgeon at Regions Hospital, took action to help at-risk youth. “There were so many more trauma cases and kids getting injured,” says Dr. Blee. “So, I started to find out what was happening and who could help with this." Dr. Blee co-founded LIFEteam, a mentorship program that helps young people get an education, find housing, and secure jobs while escaping harmful cycles. He also supports addiction recovery and teaches colleagues about gang culture to improve patient care. “We’d meet many young men who had no father, no male role models,” he says. “We’d try to build a team around them to start helping.” Dr. Blee is a partner for good practicing medicine with a purpose. He finds his work with young people deeply fulfilling – a respite from his high-stress day job. “Everyone can change," he says, "And it fills my cup to be a part of that."

Imagine this: A patient goes in for their routine checkup and mentions that they're feeling depressed or has other mental health concerns. Their primary care physician arranges for an appointment with a behavioral health specialist – the very next day. That's what our Mental Health Rapid Access Team does — making it easier for patients to quickly get behavioral health appointments. “We can address things like stress, grief, anxiety and depression by giving people the access to just talk about what’s going on,” says Anne McDonald, behavioral health therapist and a member of the team. “And for a lot of people, that’s all they need.” What started as a pilot program two years ago, has quickly expanded. Today, our dedicated behavioral health consultants serve 27 clinics, delivering same-day or next-day appointments for patients. The team has helped over 6,000 patients, with 80% feeling better after just one session. Our Mental Health Rapid Access Team is a collection of partners for good — redefining what effective mental health care looks like.

We’re proud to share that our President and CEO, Andrea Walsh, has once again been named one of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare magazine. That’s five years in a row that Andrea has received this honor. The people on the list come from throughout the health care industry, including care delivery, insurance, technology companies, and policy and administration. Andrea was recognized for being a respected voice in the industry and our organization’s efforts to make health care simple and affordable. Congratulations, Andrea! Read more about the honor: https://shorturl.at/aZRU2

Whether it’s emergency care, a surgical procedure or an annual exam, a trip to the doctor can be intimidating especially for refugees and immigrants living in the communities we serve. That’s why we’re proud to partner with and support the Karen Organization of Minnesota. It’s an organization that has worked with so many of our patients, removing barriers so they can sign up for health insurance and immigration assistance. Their community programs support kids, maternal child health, chemical dependency and job training. “We share in their commitment to removing barriers for these community members,” says Dr. Sam Ngaw, a family physician at our Center for International Health in St. Paul. “They play a vital role in helping communities navigate challenges and access the resources they need to thrive. It’s truly inspiring to be working alongside this organization.” Learn more or make an appointment at: https://bit.ly/4jhnSMx