ONE HEALTH GAVE Hope “I ThANK GOD for Them” After a string of health emergencies, Michael Nelson can care for his family thanks to ONE Health The past few years haven’t been easy for Michael Nelson, but he is grateful for the guiding lights that got him through: His mom, who he cares for day and night. His granddaughter, who is his pride and joy. And Cristina Wilson, his case manager in Regional One Health’s ONE Health complex care program, who helped him regain his health and quality of life. “All the stuff I went through…I made it. I kept going, and here I am today,” Michael said. “But if it wasn’t for Miss Cristina and this program, I don’t think I’d be here. I thank God for them.” ONE Health helps qualifying patients access medical care and address social determinants of health like housing, transportation, food, and more. Providing consistent care and holistic support helps patients avoid emergency department visits and hospitalization. For Michael, health wasn’t a concern until he approached his 60s. “The only thing I went to the doctor for was flu and things like that,” he said. “All I’ve known since high school was work. I was a crane operator for 20 years, and I loved it.” But without insurance, he didn’t seek preventative care, resulting in a string of health setbacks. “I didn’t even know what a stroke was, and all of a sudden I woke up in the hospital,” he said. “As soon as I got that under control, my diabetes kicked in.” Cristina visited him in the emergency department in January 2021 and enrolled him in ONE Health. She started by focusing on his immediate needs – access to lifesaving medications and diabetic supplies and appointments for ongoing care. 5
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