A member of the IU Health team strove to assist a Frankfort family beyond her required responsibilities to ensure that the mother and her daughter received the care they needed despite a lack of transportation and resources, which led to her receiving an award for her efforts.
Earlier this year, the IU Health Arnett Revenue Cycle Services received a call regarding a patient in the Frankfort area who was a Spanish-speaking mother who was unable to keep an appointment due to transportation issues, IU Health released.
Revenue Cycle Services Team Lead Michelle Lopez, who is bilingual, returned the call from the mother and encouraged her to maintain her appointment, which led Lopez to discover from the mother that her daughter was bed-bound and required an ambulance to attend the appointment. Lopez further discovered that assistance through insurance was not an option, which led her to explore options for the patient, such as speaking with the Frankfort Mayor’s Office to establish transportation help for the patient from Frankfort Police Department Chief Scott Shoemaker and Bauer Family Resources.
Since securing the transportation necessary for the patient to attend her appointment, Lopez has reportedly continued her service to the family by driving to the patient’s home to deliver supplies, such as diapers and food. Lopez expressed her feelings toward the situation, stating that she strives to provide the services that she would expect if she was in a similar situation.
“If that were me, I’d want everyone to do anything in their power to help,” Lopez said.
In recognition for her outstanding effort and compassion she showcased for the family in need, Lopez was presented with the Aspen Award amidst a rainfall of confetti.
– Photo courtesy of IU Health