Kimberly D Feifel
August 2024
Kimberly D
Feifel
,
Care Coordinator
Care Management
Texas Children's Hospital
Houston
,
TX
United States

 

 

 

Everyone has noted the above-and-beyond job that she has done for this patient, and everyone has felt well supported by her.
We had a patient in the cardiac care unit who had some significant psychiatric and behavioral needs. As his medical condition improved but his behavioral condition deteriorated, we, the primary team, quickly realized that we did not have the tools or resources to give him the care he needed. When Psych became involved, Kimberley Feifel entered the picture, provided much-needed support, and became a huge advocate for this patient. We quickly realized that a longer-term placement would be a challenge, and Kim quickly got to work. Over the course of weeks, Kim has been involved in numerous (too many to count) email chains and chats. Kim navigated talking with outpatient programs, advocating hard for him with every denial. She was on the phone and email, following up and working tirelessly to get this patient the support he needed. I have zero doubt that Kim's communication, education for the primary team to understand the barriers, the coaching for the mother, and extensive behind-the-scenes back and forth with numerous facilities got this patient the care he needs moving forward. I worried that something would fall through the cracks and this patient would not get the care he needed, but I never felt that way when Kim was present. When I discuss this patient with the primary team, every attending and APP who has cared for him over the weeks he has been admitted has commented on Kimberly Feifel. Everyone has noted the above-and-beyond job that she has done for this patient, and everyone has felt well supported by her. She cared for this patient in the way she advocated for him and his family. She cared for this desperate mother who wanted more for her son through coaching, validation, and care. She cared for us, the primary team, by being incredibly patient and educating us on the field that we were very unfamiliar with, even as teams changed weekly. The TCH team is lucky to have Kim as a part of it. Her work ethic, integrity, compassion, and care are unmatched. I am so thankful for how she prioritized this patient and situation, even when that required so much extra work and creative approaches.