It has been so uplifting to see nurses celebrated across the world for #NationalNursesWeek2020. At Paradigm, we cannot thank this extraordinary group enough for their continued expertise and perseverance in supporting injured workers and their families.

We continue to acknowledge these humble heroes with more examples that highlight their adaptability, flexibility, and creativity in the work that they do:

Mary Lisa Shatilla, RN
Paradigm Network Manager
Catastrophic Care Management

Although Mary Lisa Shatilla has not been able to go onsite to see her patient, you would not have known that because of the depth of information she has been able to provide on the injured worker’s progress. Mary Lisa is able to obtain specific details and information, and frequently speaks with the patient’s friends and family in order to get her hands wrapped around the case. Senior Director of Clinical Operations Lisa Farrell-Roberts said it best, “Mary Lisa’s hands are managing this case so tightly, no one is going to make a move without her knowing!”

Patricia Carothers, BSN, RN, MS, CCM
Paradigm Network Manager
Catastrophic Care Management

Lisa Farrell-Roberts shared another truly touching story, “I welled up with tears hearing Patricia Carothers describe seeing an injured worker, who we thought might not survive for many months, pushing himself in a wheelchair. Patricia was able to coordinate and capture this moment via Zoom. The family was able to watch their loved one do this and the injured worker was crying tears of joy.” Our network managers are such an integral part of injured workers’ and their families’ lives. Sharing monumental moments like these are so personal and bring immense joy to our nurses.

Jane Klein, RN, CDMS, CNLCP
Paradigm Case Manager
Complex Care Solutions

Jane Klein shared that she worked with a quadriplegic injured worker who was struggling to obtain gloves needed to complete her in-home bowel and wound care program. Jane worked with the adjuster to secure the needed gloves and deliver them to the injured worker’s home. Because of Jane’s efforts, the injured worker’s treatment was not interrupted, and the risk of infection was reduced. Jane’s above and beyond actions show her commitment to doing whatever is in her power to ensure the best result possible for her injured worker.

Terre Michelle, RN, BSN, CCM
Paradigm Network Manager
Catastrophic Care Management

Paradigm Network Business Contact Kelly Doherty, shared Terre Michelle’s creativity and adaptability to continue to provide support and monitoring of her injured worker’s status during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Terre’s patient has an incomplete spinal cord injury who before COVID-19 was participating in personal training sessions three days a week along with specialized sessions once a week. He lives in a state which was slow to implement COVID-19 precautions. One week before the significant increase in the spread of the pandemic, Terre proactively began providing her patient with COVID-19 education regarding precautions.

The injured worker could have easily been overwhelmed with the quarantine and not been faithful in completing his exercise program. Plus, he and his wife had just started to see a therapist to work on adjustment issues. Terre quickly set up the family on Zoom, but noticed that the injured worker had a very old laptop. After securing permission from the carrier, she was able to provide him with an iPad in one week, and he is now able to use it for workouts and regular Zoom meetings with treating doctors. Terre has also continued with weekly Zoom video meetings with the injured worker and his wife. And she has been able to provide encouragement to schedule a telemedicine appointment with his psychologist.

All parties have been very pleased with Terre’s creativity and adaptability to continue to provide educational and emotional support, as well as consistent monitoring of the injured worker’s status during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Margie Stelzel, RN, PHD, CNLCP
Paradigm Case Manager and Network Manager
Complex Care Solutions and Catastrophic Care Management

Margie Stelzel shared her dedication to an injured worker who was in need of significant wound care. Due to COVID-19 concerns, the injured worker was discharged to home directly instead of to a rehabilitation center. And, home care was not ordered, also due to COVID-19 concerns. The injured worker was anxious about his safety and ability to manage his wound at home. Margie met him at his home every day or every other day, while taking COVID-19 precautions, to help guide his wound care, send pictures to the provider, and answer his questions.

Margie went above and beyond to ensure the injured worker’s worries were abated, and that the care of his wound was not compromised. Her persistence in visiting the injured worker demonstrates her commitment to helping him achieve his best possible health outcome.

Paradigm Catastrophic Care Management Senior Director of Clinical Operations Lisa Farrell-Roberts stated that it was difficult to highlight just one network manager, “There are so many excellent network managers at Paradigm. I am touched by the drive our nurses have to manage these catastrophic cases despite current restrictions due to COVID-19. Network managers bear witness to extraordinary situations, extraordinary losses, and extraordinary experiences. My heartfelt thanks goes out to each one of them for all they do and these important moments that they are a part of. It is important work that Paradigm engages in and our network managers are the heart of it. Gratitude to all of them for the difference they make.”

These noteworthy examples showcase a few of the stories we hear every day about how our devoted network managers and case managers go above and beyond to support our injured workers and their families to achieve the best possible recovery. Our nurses are core members of our management teams and personally invest so much of their time and energy into supporting their patients. From everyone at Paradigm—thank you!