patients , checking his phone or taking notes on his computer , Dr . Higgins is in constant motion . At noon , I had put more steps in my pedometer than I do on an average full day in my office !
To be honest , the day was such a new experience that it was hard to process its significance in the moment . It was after a few days , with the time to reflect , that I could truly understand not only how good it is , in general , to any participant , but also the specific value to me as I am , with my team , on an ongoing journey exploring opportunities for enhanced integration between UnitedHealthcare and the providers we work with .
Another important outcome was the reassurance that we are on the same boat and that , to achieve big things , we must do it together . We all share the same mission , we all serve the same people and we all dedicate our lives to making the health system work better for everyone . Since that day , it is even clearer to me that true coordination between a managed care organization and a provider just happens when we understand one another ’ s roles in helping patients .
To sum up , seeing first-hand and feeling how the clinic works not only made an impact at a personal level , but it also reinforced the notion that a desk is a dangerous place from which to view the world . There is nothing more powerful than listening to real people , understanding their needs , experiences , concerns and ideas , if you are trying to genuinely learn something .
Besides the learning component of this day , I also left the clinic with an incredible sense of pride . We do not often think about the quality of the providers we have in the Greater Louisville area . My experience made me respect even more our community of providers , comprised of hundreds of silent heroes who rarely make it to the headlines , but transform several lives every single day .
I feel extremely grateful for this opportunity . To those of you who may be invited to participate in the future , do not hesitate . It is worth every second of it . I just have words of appreciation to Mr . Guinn , the Greater Louisville Medical Society , Dr . Thomas Higgins , his team and all the individuals who visited the clinic that day and allowed me to be part of this wonderful experience .
Krista Hensel is the CEO of the UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kentucky and a member of the Wear the White Coat class of 2023 . ( non-member )
Interested in being a physician preceptor in this year ’ s Wear the White Coat class ? Contact Kathryn Vance at kathryn . vance @ glms . org for more information .
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