POTSDAM, NY – Members of the Canton-Potsdam Hospital (CPH) Leadership team recently made presentations to regional college students who are enrolled in the Hospital’s Health Coach Program.
The CPH Program trains local undergraduate students to work with community members who have chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, or COPD. The Health Coach Program is a partnership of St. Lawrence Health/CPH, SUNY Potsdam, Clarkson University, and St. Lawrence University. The students range from sophomores to seniors who are interested in pursuing graduate school for a health profession.
“The goals of the Program are to improve health outcomes for patients, reduce unnecessary hospital readmissions, and provide experiential learning for future healthcare professionals,” explained CPH Health Coach Advisor Carolyn Zanta, PhD. “The Student Health Coaches become an in-home extension of our healthcare team. The students help their clients learn self-management techniques, set attainable goals and action plans, improve their self-esteem, and function with greater independence."
CPH and St. Lawrence Health (SLH) President Donna McGregor recently addressed the Clarkson University student Health Coach class with a presentation on "Healthcare Delivery in an Era of Rapid Cycle Evolution." She further informed them about SLH’s history, and the challenges and successes of rural healthcare in the North Country.
“Our partnership with the local colleges and universities is yet another example of how St. Lawrence Health reaches beyond the boundaries of our own facilities to work with the local communities,” Mrs. McGregor said. “What better way for these healthcare professionals of tomorrow to learn ,the multitude of aspects related to this profession than straight from those of us in the industry.
“Being able to have dialogue with these brilliant students reinforces to me that we will receive amazing healthcare from this up and coming generation,” she added.
SLH Senior Director of Revenue Cycle Operations Shannon Sullivan’s presentation was made to the student Health Coach class at St. Lawrence University in Canton. She discussed both Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans and how the students can help members of the community better understand how various plans differ, as well as offer assistance in navigating the Medicare.gov website during open enrollment.
“I discussed the importance of Revenue Cycle and how the process begins when a patient makes an appointment, and ends when all the payments have been collected, from both the payer and the patient,” Ms. Sullivan said. “I also included information on our SLH Patient Advocacy Program, which will help members of our community understand the financial options we have to offer when coming to any of our facilities for services.”
The information she shared with the students is expected to be helpful for them when they start going into the community and working one-on-one with the regional residents.
“The message I am hoping the students walked away with is that St. Lawrence Health is here to help our patients navigate through all the complexities of healthcare insurance. I am thrilled that we have the Student Health Coaches to help us get this important information out to the community,” Ms. Sullivan said.
Learn about the St. Lawrence Health Financial Assistance program. For information on the Health Coach Program, ask your primary care provider, or contact Carolyn Zanta at 315-261-5406.
