909-644-4965Social Worker Spotlight: Ana Diaz
Social Worker Spotlight: Ana Diaz
March 17, 2022
March is National Social Work Month and this year’s theme – The Time is Right for Social Work – draws attention to the important role of social workers and the life-affirming services they provide. There are almost 720,000 social workers hard at work in the U.S., including many talented professionals who are integral members of the Charter Healthcare family.
This national observance highlights an important aspect of our mission: how a personalized, whole-person approach to compassionate care can enrich lives. In honor of National Social Work Month, we’re proud to shine a spotlight on the work of Ana Diaz, a medical social worker for our Palm Desert location, that shows an extraordinary commitment to creating better experiences for our patients and families.
A Taste of Compassion
Not long after starting to care for one of her hospice patients, Ana noticed she had developed a high tolerance for pain – an unfortunate and too-common side effect of living with discomfort long enough for it to become a way of life. Yet Ana was determined to do better for her patient.
During one of her visits, Ana observed the patient’s frustrations at transitioning to a liquids-only diet and heard the anguish in her voice when she said that all she wanted was bubblegum. With a lot already on their plate, the patient’s family struggled to find a way to take care of this craving while caring for their loved one.
Ana made it her mission to find the solution, which turned out to be bubblegum-flavored ice cream she traced to a shop 30 minutes away – following calls to no less than 10 ice cream parlors in the area. After getting permission from the family and making the one-hour roundtrip on her own time, Ana delivered the comforting treat to the delight of her patient.
Memories of a Lifetime
Recently Ana and fellow Charter colleagues rushed to make a last-chance wish come true for a 34-year-old hospice patient and his six young children. Thanks to fast work and her determination to put the smiles on their faces her patient dreamed of, Ana led efforts to align two charities to provide a Disney trip for this special family.
The paperwork was long and the process challenging, but Ana worked swiftly to move the application process along due to her awareness of the patient’s worsening condition. She also talked with him routinely about what would make his final days special and worked tirelessly with regional Charter teams to satisfy his wishes. Making this wish come true for the patient and his family made all the difference during the most difficult time of their lives.
Charter’s reputation as a premier provider of post-acute services is built upon the promises we keep to those we serve. It’s colleagues like Ana, who understand that simple gestures can have huge impact, that set Charter apart. We’re here for you on every step of your post-acute care journey. Click here to learn more about the Charter difference.
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