Erica M Caldwell
December 2024
Erica M
Caldwell
,
RN, BSN
Neurology
Swedish Medical Group
Seattle
,
WA
United States
She routinely advocates on my behalf to reduce barriers to my success and help me get what I need from insurance, pharmacies, and other third parties.
Earlier in the year, I suddenly began experiencing a significant, chronic medical issue that has derailed many of aspects of my life. As a young person who had previously been very healthy, I had minimal experience being a patient at all, let alone navigating many of the more complicated and opaque parts of the healthcare system.
In the months that I've been a patient at the neurology clinic, I have communicated with Erica countless times about my questions, concerns, and confusions. She has always approached me with patience and reassurance, even when I've been very frustrated and upset about how my life has changed. She routinely advocates on my behalf to reduce barriers to my success and help me get what I need from insurance, pharmacies, and other third parties.
Being self-sufficient has always been very important to me, so my newfound need for a lot of help and frequent interventions often leaves me feeling down. When we communicate, Erica frequently reminds me that my problems are not a burden and that it's perfectly appropriate to ask for help. I don't think I have ever actually seen her in person, but I am very aware and appreciative of how much work she has done to help me navigate difficult circumstances.
***
She demonstrates all of these wonderful attributes, but the one I think she absolutely deserves to be nominated for is compassion. She goes above and beyond for all our patients, and I have never seen someone fight so hard for their patients to get their denied treatments, medications, and diagnostic imaging to get appealed.
She has been on the phone for hours to get answers to why these things were denied despite our office sending all supplemental notes and labs explaining the necessity of these things. She was incredibly insistent and persistent in making sure what was needed by the other entity to make sure this gets going for the patient.
She recognizes that the delay causes major problems for the patients and their care, and despite how frustrating insurances or other entities can be, she constantly and ferociously fights for the patients and their care. It is honestly so inspiring.
In the months that I've been a patient at the neurology clinic, I have communicated with Erica countless times about my questions, concerns, and confusions. She has always approached me with patience and reassurance, even when I've been very frustrated and upset about how my life has changed. She routinely advocates on my behalf to reduce barriers to my success and help me get what I need from insurance, pharmacies, and other third parties.
Being self-sufficient has always been very important to me, so my newfound need for a lot of help and frequent interventions often leaves me feeling down. When we communicate, Erica frequently reminds me that my problems are not a burden and that it's perfectly appropriate to ask for help. I don't think I have ever actually seen her in person, but I am very aware and appreciative of how much work she has done to help me navigate difficult circumstances.
***
She demonstrates all of these wonderful attributes, but the one I think she absolutely deserves to be nominated for is compassion. She goes above and beyond for all our patients, and I have never seen someone fight so hard for their patients to get their denied treatments, medications, and diagnostic imaging to get appealed.
She has been on the phone for hours to get answers to why these things were denied despite our office sending all supplemental notes and labs explaining the necessity of these things. She was incredibly insistent and persistent in making sure what was needed by the other entity to make sure this gets going for the patient.
She recognizes that the delay causes major problems for the patients and their care, and despite how frustrating insurances or other entities can be, she constantly and ferociously fights for the patients and their care. It is honestly so inspiring.