In the summer of 1997, Bill was rushed to the hospital after suffering an inexplicable seizure. After his release, hospital clinicians recommended Bill follow up with Neighborhood to establish consistent primary care
Bill took the recommendation and became a patient of Neighborhood. He saw Nurse Practitioner, Ruth Bravo, for the next 20 years until her retirement. After Ruth’s retirement, Bill was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Neighborhood clinicians supported Bill as he learned to use insulin, improved his nutrition, and made challenging but rewarding lifestyle changes.
Bill shares, “I appreciate Neighborhood because they send you to specialists.” In two decades of care, Bill has been referred to neurology, cardiology, and ophthalmology specialists, receiving comprehensive care for any medical need.
During their trusted relationship, Ruth gave Bill a non-healthcare-related recommendation: “Ruth told me I should volunteer somewhere, and I couldn’t think of anywhere else but Neighborhood,” recalls Bill, “and I liked Neighborhood! I just decided it would be a good place to help.”
Bill started volunteering in the Medical Records department at the Elm Street location in Escondido. In his years of volunteer service, Bill has answered phones, welcomed patients, monitored patient wait times, and learned the organization’s Electronic Medical Records system that moved paper charts to computerized charts in 2005.