Serious health problems almost killed Mark Parker on several occasions, and without insurance, he struggled to manage his complex medical needs.
Regional One Health’s ONE Health complex care program was able to connect Mark with proper care and help him secure disability benefits so he can manage his health on his own.
Through it all, he has maintained a sharp wit and remarkable sense of gratitude for the people who have helped him overcome numerous challenges.
Mark Parker can point to more than one occasion where he could have died.
Years ago, he was hit by a truck on Summer Avenue, sending him headfirst into its windshield. A cardiac arrest led doctors to pronounce him dead not once but three times. Most recently, his blood pressure plummeted to 50/30, landing him on life support for 10 days.
Despite it all, Mark continues to embrace life with a sharp wit and remarkable sense of gratitude for the people who help him – including his wife Lynette, his pastor, and case manager Karen Tate at Regional One Health’s ONE Health complex care program. ONE Health serves uninsured patients who have complex needs by providing access to medical care and support for social determinants of health such as mental health, housing, food and transportation.
For Mark, it has been a lifeline as he navigated serious health issues. “At times I felt hopeless, and those are the times I called Karen Tate,” he said. “She would show up when I was at my lowest with the biggest smile. It’s infectious…not that you want to use that word in a hospital!”
Mark’s series of medical crises started decades ago.
As a young man, he taught Kung Fu and martial arts and scored a perfect 36 on several sections of the ACT. “I was on the fast track to becoming a doctor until I met alcohol,” he said.
His first stay at Regional One Health came in 1989 after his accident on Summer Avenue. “Since then I’ve always felt a close relationship with Regional One Health and always asked to go to there,” he said. “The care I’ve gotten here – I believe it is world-class. I’ve had great doctors and nurses over the years, and good relationships.”
ONE Health Case Manager Karen Tate helped Mark access medical care and disability benefits to manage his complex health conditions. “He has been at death’s door…knowing what the textbooks I studied say and what I know as a nurse, that is to me a God thing. The fact that he’s here is a miracle,” Karen said.
On several occasions, that world-class care has literally saved his life.
The first time he was on life support was due to pneumonia, when his oxygen level dropped into the 70s. His cardiac arrest occurred in 2020: “They showed me the paperwork, and it said ‘deceased, resuscitated; deceased, resuscitated; deceased, resuscitated,’” Mark recalled.
Last August, when his blood pressure bottomed out, he was a patient in Regional One Health’s Inpatient Rehabilitation Hospital. “They’re tough and they don’t have a lot of mercy on you until you complete your goal – I really appreciated that because I went home stronger than I was when I went into the hospital,” he said.
In the midst of those crises, he was introduced to ONE Health.
“I was floating helpless in a maelstrom,” Mark said. “I can’t laud the complex care team and my nurses and social workers enough. They jump in with both feet to help their patients.”
That is what makes ONE Health both unique and effective, Karen said.
When she first meets with a patient, she focuses on learning their needs and goals – that way, she can provide personalized support that stabilizes their physical health while addressing the social needs that are most important to each individual.
“We meet them where they are and find out what their goals are. It’s individualized. Then, we cater our plan of care to what they want to work on,” Karen said. “The buy-in comes from asking the patient what’s important to them.”
For Mark, that included seeking treatment for alcoholism, accessing the medications he needs to manage his chronic conditions, securing disability benefits, and finding reliable transportation.
Karen connected Mark with the Regional One Health physicians and pharmacy services he needed. “I take 17 medications in the morning, 14 at night, and six mid-day. I never dreamed I’d take as much medication as my granddad,’” he said.
Mark says without Karen and the support of his wife Lynette, he wouldn’t be here. “If it weren’t for my wife and Karen, I’m not sure what I would have done. I’ve been through the ringer. They saved my life,” he said.
Along with regular primary care, he sees specialists to manage his diabetes, monitor severe low blood pressure, and address chronic lower back pain. He went through physical and occupational therapy to rebuild his strength and stamina.
Karen made sure he had transportation to those appointments, ultimately helping him obtain a disability pass to use the city buses.
Perhaps the biggest challenge was pursuing Mark’s disability benefits so he can continue to manage his health on his own. Mark was working with an attorney to secure benefits, but the process kept getting bogged down – until Karen stepped in and started making calls.
Now, Mark can focus on getting stronger and managing his health so he can enjoy a loving life with his wife Lynette. The couple enjoys spending quiet nights at home watching Animal Planet and other TV shows.
“She’s just a wonderful, wonderful woman. Everyone loves her,” Mark said. “She’s taken care of me, and it’s taxing for her. I want to get better and be independent for her.”
With Karen’s support, he’s on a path to do just that.
“He has been at death’s door…knowing what the textbooks I studied say and what I know as a nurse, that is to me a God thing. The fact that he’s here is a miracle,” Karen said. “Even with everything he’s been through, he has an amazing sense of humor and an incredible memory and ability to notice things.”
For Mark, that gives him the will to keep fighting for better health – and to share his gratitude for the people who are helping him get here.
“People here make me feel appreciated – none more than Karen. She makes me feel like I’m her only patient!” he said. “If it weren’t for my wife and Karen, I’m not sure what I would have done … I’ve been through the ringer. They saved my life.”