“I love the way that I am able to engage with patients here.”
It’s no secret that interactions with medical professionals can often be hurried and businesslike, regardless of social or economic standing. We sit in crowded waiting rooms, listen for our names to be called and obediently march off into the maze of examination rooms to wait some more. Vitals are taken, standard questions are asked and we wait some more for a doctor or specialist bounding between rooms to arrive for what is frequently a cameo appearance.
Things tend to be different at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, where an impersonal approach is antithesis to the compassionate and comprehensive model of care we provide for individuals and families experiencing homelessness at more than 30 clinic sites located throughout Boston. Our committed staff care for our patients with the highest level of empathy and always aim to deeply understand the struggles of their challenging lives. We strive to restore human dignity and treat them with respect and admiration for their courage and resiliency.
For Christie, a BHCHP Physician Assistant at the women’s clinic at Pine Street Inn, it’s precisely that empathy, equity and personal touch that make her love and appreciate her job so much.
“I love the way that I am able to engage with patients here,” said Christie, who joined BHCHP in 2015. “I can spend the time that I need to focus not only on their chief complaint, but also the bigger picture. I enjoy building relationships with patients and walking with them through their highs and lows. It is a privilege to be entrusted with their stories, heartaches and ambitions. And it is inspiring to work with so many patients that are the embodiment of resilience.”
She said that it’s gratifying to be part of an integrated team of more than 600 medical and behavioral health staff, social service providers and support staff all committed to providing equitable and dignified access to comprehensive, high-quality health care to BHCHP patients.
“BHCHP is unique because it serves a niche population that otherwise doesn’t fit well into the more traditional health care delivery models,” Christie said. “Our outpatient clinics aim to give providers and staff adequate time and resources to care for patients as they actually need, rather than focusing on maximizing profits.
“Creative problem solving is encouraged,” she continued. “Patient autonomy and self-determination are respected. True teamwork and collaboration are the norm. The push at BHCHP is to make our culture ever more human focused, for both staff and patients to be seen and appreciated for who they really are.”
BHCHP’s model for continuity of care – from street to shelter to hospital to 24/7 respite to housing – is crucial to the success of the larger mission.
“Through my experience volunteering with nonprofit organizations overseas, I realized how foundational the role of health care is in determining a person’s quality of life,” Christie said. “Without consistent and effective health care, otherwise treatable diseases have the power to pull people in a downward spiral of poverty and despair. I chose to become a PA to help restore and maintain the health of people who are in vulnerable situations.”
BHCHP is always looking new team members who share Christie’s outlook, drive and compassion. If you’re interested in joining our mission-driven, highly supportive team to work in an environment where you can learn and grow and feel fulfilled every day, we’d love to hear from you. Visit bhchp.org/careers/ to see our current job openings and learn about our generous and broad benefit package.
