I am so grateful for the opportunity I was given to work at Shepherd ’ s Clinic this summer . When I first walked into the clinic , I had no idea what to expect . I had never worked in a clinical setting before , and I was afraid of my inexperience showing . While my inexperience certainly did show , I am glad that Shepherd ’ s was my first foray into the world of medicine . Not knowing anything meant that I learned something new every day . And boy did I learn a lot . From using the top software for medical scheduling and record keeping to calling medical departments around the city and handling patient referrals , I was able to dig deep into the administrative side of healthcare . Digging deep involved a lot of paper . The sheer amount of paperwork involved in every medical interaction surprised me .
Digging deep also involved listening . I listened to patients ’ stories , doctors ’ orders , and nurses ’ jokes . I listened to people from all walks of life , from people who have lived in the same neighborhood their entire lives to immigrants from Europe to asylees from Africa ; I was exposed to more kinds of people than ever .
I listened intently , not only to get to know the people I was working with and working for , but also to limit the possibility of miscommunication . Medical information is sensitive , and patient privacy under HIPAA is a top priority for any clinic . I ’ ve learned the ins and outs of the law and can now confidently handle records I was initially afraid to manage .
• Worked at the front desk answering phones , scheduling appointments , and screening new patients
• Connected patients to resources , both medical and otherwise
• Managed patient referrals to specialty care departments and maintained paper and electronic health records
• Communicated with patients , doctors , and staff at medical centers throughout the city
I ’ ve also learned the ins and outs of Shepherd ’ s policies . In order to be eligible to receive care at our clinic , our patients must reside in one of the nine zip codes that comprise our catchment area , and they must make too much money to qualify for Medicaid , but not enough to actually afford healthcare . As I ’ ve spent this summer getting to know this patient demographic , I ’ ve come to realize just how big this gap between Medicaid and affordable insurance is . It makes me proud to work at a place like Shepherd ’ s Clinic , a place that brings together a small group of compassionate , diligent people to make a real difference in the Baltimore community .
Community Partner : Shepherd ’ s Clinic Intern : Luke Bonanni Site Supervisor : Ellen Sangiamo
What is Shepherd ’ s Clinic ? Shepherd ’ s Clinic and Joy Wellness Center provides quality integrative health care to those who are medically uninsured , helping people who are unable to afford commercial health insurance and who do not qualify for government assistance .
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