When Loriette Turner developed a painful hernia, she struggled both to continue her work in home health care and to enjoy her grandkids and church activities.
She found the medical care and support she needed at Regional One Health thanks to the ONE Health complex care program.
With the help of case manager Cristina Wilson, Loriette successfully healed from surgery and is continuing to improve her health, which means she can once again keep up with her active grandkids.
With a dozen grandkids between the ages of 2 and 16, Loriette Turner could easily stay busy every day of the week based on their activities alone – and that’s perfectly fine with her.
But when pain from a hernia kept getting worse, Loriette lost the energy to enjoy time with her family. “The older ones understood, but the little ones didn’t,” she said. “They would come over and stand at the end of the bed and look at me like, ‘Pick me up, grandma!’”
It broke her heart, but without health insurance, Loriette struggled to get the care she needed.
As the pain intensified, it made it impossible to keep up with the heavy lifting required for her job in home health care and even kept her from going to church. At one point, the pain got so bad she got lightheaded, fell, and broke her arm.
Loriette ultimately went to the emergency department at Regional One Health in early 2023.
“I was hurting so bad they made a decision they would have to go in and do surgery,” she said. “A lot of people have told me they come to Regional One Health and how good their doctors are, and they do have wonderful doctors. They take their time with you.”
Along with the surgical care she received, Loriette found another blessing when Cristina Wilson, case manager in the ONE Health complex care program, visited her in her recovery room.
ONE Health supports patients who struggle to access regular health care due to lack of insurance. The program not only makes sure patients get the medical care they need, it offers help with social determinants of health like housing, food and transportation.
Loriette Turner says ONE Health helped her return to the people and activities she loves.“Before, I wasn’t able to concentrate because I was in pain. Now, I can spend time with them and focus on what I like to do. I’ve been reading the Bible, and I started going back to church.”
Cristina stepped in to make sure Loriette had what she needed to recovery from major surgery. “She had a large incision on her abdomen, and I was concerned about how she was going to manage,” Cristina said. “I wanted to make sure she healed properly.”
Loriette remembers the visit well. “She came in my room and introduced herself, and I could tell she was a very, very intelligent woman. She asked me about everything – how I was doing, if I felt OK, even if the food was OK. After that, she came to see me every day.”
When Loriette’s incision became hard and uncomfortable, Cristina was there to help.
“I ran up to surgery and got her seen immediately, so we could see what additional treatment she needed,” Cristina said.
It was a challenging time, but Loriette stayed positive and focused on following the advice she received from her doctors, nurses, and Cristina: “I just do what I’ve got to do. I let them tell me – they know what’s best,” she said.
It’s a mantra Loriette maintained after getting back home. With Cristina’s support, she continued to be a model patient, going out of her way to focus on healing.
Early on, Cristina helped arrange doctor’s appointments, giving Loriette a written list and texting or calling her to remind her. One day, she reached out to Loriette the morning of an appointment, and Loriette told her she was already on her way.
“I asked her how she was getting here, and she said she was at the bus stop. It was pouring down rain!” Cristina said. “I asked her if she was still close to home, and she said yes, so I told her to go home and I’d send her a car.”
After that, Cristina continued to help with transportation so Loriette could easily get to her checkups. Cristina also helped her access healthy food, provided her with useful phone numbers and resources like utility assistance, helped her apply for disability benefits, etc.
“If it wasn’t for her, I don’t know what I’d do,” Loriette said. “She checks on me. If I ever have questions, I can call her. If she doesn’t know, she’ll find out and call me right back. When I come to the hospital, she meets me downstairs. When I’m ready to go, she’s like my bodyguard – she walks out with me and makes sure the car is here. She’s a sweet lady.”
ONE Health Case Manager Cristina Wilson loves seeing patients like Loriette thrive in the program. “I’ve been in the nursing profession a number of years, and for me, this is what it’s all about. You get to see not only the patient’s health, but their whole life, improving. It’s an amazing program.”
“I’m grateful for Miss Cristina. God and Cristina got me a long way.”
These days, Loriette has regained the energy to enjoy the things that matter most – namely her grandkids and her faith.
“I have a truckload!” she laughed. “Eight from one daughter, three from my other daughter, and two from my son. They’re busy. They love doing any kind of activities.”
Thanks to ONE Health, Loriette is right there with them. “Before, I wasn’t able to concentrate because I was in pain. Now, I can spend time with them and focus on what I like to do. I’ve been reading the Bible, and I started going back to church.”
Cristina is thrilled to see Loriette surrounded by the people she loves.
“She enjoys her family a lot. There’s lots of love and support,” she said. “It’s a joy working with her. She’s always positive, even if she’s in pain. I don’t have to motivate her at all. She’s on top of everything, and she has a great support system.”
“I’m just very grateful ONE Health exists,” Cristina added. “I’ve been in the nursing profession a number of years, and for me, this is what it’s all about. You get to see not only the patient’s health, but their whole life, improving. It’s an amazing program.”