Let’s face it: navigating the healthcare system can be complicated. But you don’t have to do it alone. San Juan Health Partners offers nurse navigators at its Internal Medicine, Family Medicine Aztec and Family Medicine Farmington clinics. A nurse navigator is a nurse who works in the clinic as an advocate for the patient.
“We provide a variety of services such as medication reconciliation, helping patients to understand why they are taking these medications or how they are affecting their body. We also support patients in the community in a variety of ways by connecting them with different resources they may need,” said Michelle Russo, Nurse Navigator at San Juan Health Partners Internal Medicine.
“We look at the paths the patient has been on, the direction they want to take, and partner with them to reach their desired destination,” Shelley Oglesby, San Juan Health Partners Family Medicine Farmington Nurse Navigator, said.
The nurse navigator acts as a liaison between the patient and the provider, helping the patient to understand their health conditions and answer any questions they may have.
“We help them navigate the nuances of our complex healthcare system,” said Amber Reed, Nurse Navigator at San Juan Health Partners Family Medicine’s two Aztec locations.
“We are trying to be the go-to person for the patient if they have any questions,” Patrick Oglesby, San Juan Health Partners Family Medicine Farmington Nurse Navigator, said.
While nurse navigators serve the entire population of their clinic’s primary care patients, they particularly focus on Medicare patients. Once a patient turns 65, Medicare covers a one-time Welcome to Medicare screening visit and an Annual Wellness Visit.
“We will sit down with the patient for 45 minutes to an hour and learn more about the patient, learn more about their health, and try to fill in any holes or gaps that are in their medical chart,” said Patrick Oglesby.
“Transitioning from commercial insurance to Medicare insurance can be complicated and that’s what we are here to help with,” Reed said. “We want our patients to be able to utilize their benefits to the fullest potential.”
Nurse navigators are not only a wealth of information and a direct link to the provider; they are also their patients’ biggest supporters, helping them to reach their healthcare goals.
“My favorite part of my job is getting to know each person on a personal level and finding out what is important to the patient. I can then come alongside the patient and help guide them along the journey,” said Shelley Oglesby.
“When I create these relationships with patients I think one of the biggest benefits is they have a nurse they can call on to get information, to get support, to get encouragement to get help with their medical
needs. I look forward to coming to work every day. There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t leave work feeling very satisfied,” said Russo.
If you’d like to learn more about San Juan Health Partners’ nurse navigator program, feel free to reach out to our clinics and ask to speak to our nurse navigators. They are here for you and look forward to partnering with you to reach your healthcare goals.
San Juan Health Partners Family Medicine Aztec (102 and 120 locations) 505.609.6468
Amber Reed, RN
San Juan Health Partners Family Medicine Farmington 505.609.2990
Patrick Oglesby, RN
Shelley Oglesby, RN
San Juan Health Partners Internal Medicine 505.609.6730
Michelle Russo, RN