By Rachel Tarantino, development associate, Ravenswood Family Health Center.
At Ravenswood Family Health Center (RFHC), our patients’ health is our first priority.
Since we opened the doors of our new state-of-the-art facility in May 2015, Ravenswood has offered new services — including imaging, optometry, an optical shop, labs, and pharmacy — to an increasing number of patients.
However, Ravenswood’s impact can be measured by more than just the variety of health care services we offer to improve patients’ physical health. Patients’ experience is an equally important part of their well-being.
When Sinai discovered a lump in her breast, she was anxious to find answers. She contacted several health centers for assistance, and found that Ravenswood Family Health Center stood out to her more than any other. Through her research, she learned that many of our staff speak Tongan, her native language.
During her first visit to Ravenswood, Sinai met with physician assistant Brad Hamann who ordered a mammogram for her. Although she was nervous about her condition, Sinai was comforted by Mr. Hamann’s skill and compassion throughout her examination.
“Mr. Hamann is wonderful,” Sinai said. She explained that although it was her first time meeting with Mr. Hamann, he was friendly and treated her with kindness, as though they had known each other for a long time.
After receiving Sinai’s results, Mr. Hamann met with her to discuss her diagnosis and treatment, and answered all of her questions. Mr. Hamann also encouraged her to meet with a Ravenswood counselor if she began to feel overwhelmed.
Sinai was impressed by Mr. Hamann’s swift action to ensure that she would receive the care and information she needed to confront her diagnosis. She was overjoyed to learn that she would be treated at Stanford and would still be able to meet with Mr. Hamann for routine care at Ravenswood. “This is too good to be true!” she laughed.
Relationships between patients and providers are essential to good health. If a patient is not comfortable with the clinician treating them, making progress toward a good health trajectory can be slow.
Patients who are fortunate enough to have experienced the nurturing atmosphere of Ravenswood Family Health Center report that this is as essential to their well-being as any medical treatment.
“You can feel the friendliness, the warmth, and the welcome at Ravenswood,” Sinai said. “I am very happy, and I want to continue to come here!”
You can help more patients like Sinai experience the quality and compassionate care of Ravenswood. Your support will enable us to continue treating and caring for the most underserved individuals and families in our community.
Visit ravenswoodfhc.org to learn more about Ravenswood Family Health Center, or email us at development@ravenswoodfhc.org.
Gifts to the Almanac’s Holiday Fund benefit the Ravenswood Family Health Center. Donate now:
https://www.siliconvalleycf.org/almanac-holiday-fund
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