Community Support

Patient Testimonials

Capital Park Family Health Center • 2365 Innis Rd, Columbus OH 43224 • (614) 416-4325
Whitehall Family Health Center • 882 S. Hamilton Rd, Columbus OH 43213 • (614) 235-5555
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Patient Testimonials

Testimonial of Brian
Patient of Dr. Rita Konfala

In February of 2010, I came to Whitehall Family Health Center because I badly needed to see a doctor for my high blood pressure and diabetes.

I had just had surgery at Mount Carmel East, was on an unpaid sick leave from my employer, and had no insurance because my employer, a construction company, doesn’t offer medical insurance. I knew I was not going to be able to work for several months so I applied for Unemployment. I was denied because of my on-going health problems. I applied for food stamps and was awarded $200 per month. So basically, these food stamps were all I had to live on until I got my health back - which, of course, meant getting my blood pressure and diabetes under control.

Dr. Konfala immediately took action. I can’t explain what she did or what medication she gave me. But, it worked great. I love Dr. Konfala and think she is one of the best doctors I’ve ever seen. And I’ve seen lots.

But, there is more than just giving me the proper medication. This is the first place that put me on a sliding fee scale so I could pay what I could afford. You also had a social worker help me get my medication directly from the pharmaceutical companies for free! You can’t buy medicine with food stamps and I had no money for medicine. Getting this medication was a true blessing.

I’m over the hump now getting my health under control. I’m back to work on light duty. August 2nd when I saw Dr. Konfala, she said that I could come back in the fall for a flu shot and check up. That felt great – knowing I was getting better.

Diabetes Success Story

In March 2007, Esteban, a 32 year old from Mexico City, Mexico, was diagnosed with Type II diabetes in Mt. Carmel St. Ann’s emergency department and referred to Heart of Ohio Family Health Centers at Capital Park for further treatment. The Capital Park Intensive Case Management Team recognized Esteban’s need for urgent attention regarding his diabetes. He enrolled in the Intensive Case Management Program and since then, Esteban’s health and outlook have improved dramatically.  His blood sugars have decreased significantly from his initial diagnoses (ED with levels of 400 and above), and he attends all scheduled appointments, brings in blood sugar home test results with pride, and continues to be very compliant. 

Esteban is just one of thousands of immigrants in central Ohio who are battling chronic disease without the education, care and treatment they need to live healthy lives. Fortunately for Esteban, he is finally getting help.

The Capital Park Intensive Case Management (ICM) Program provides the tools Esteban needs in the language he speaks in a hands-on approach. With educational sessions both in-home and at the health center, face-to-face meetings with pharmacists regarding prescription medications, and one-on-one care from caseworkers who speak his language, Esteban is learning how to cope with chronic disease and make a positive, lasting change in his life.

The ICM program improves outcomes among patients who are not proficient in English and who have unstable chronic disease (diabetes, hypertension or heart disease), by using a bilingual multidisciplinary team to intensively engage them in their own healthcare. Initially, the program focuses on patients who speak Spanish or Somali, but it can be expanded and replicated for all patients with chronic disease.

ICM is based in the “patient navigator” model first practiced in 1990 for cancer patients, and adds both the “disease manager” model recently piloted by several large hospitals, as well as a social work component that is a new facet to test.

The Heart of Ohio Family Health Centers at Capital Park patient population is at high risk for difficulty in management of chronic disease; limited English proficiency, immigrant status, unfamiliarity with local support and transport systems, and differing cultural norms concerning family and health care (2002 Franklin County Health Assessment). As an example of increased risk in our patient base, diabetes in Franklin County occurs at rates of 6% among whites and 9% among blacks (Columbus Health Dept.); in our health center patient base across all races, diabetes occurs at a rate of 11%.

Quick Facts:

  • • Central Ohio’s foreign-born population has increased dramatically in recent years. In 2004, 7.8% (83,275) of the Franklin County population was foreign born, an increase of 12.1% since 2002.

  • • In 2005, the documented Hispanic population in Franklin County was 35,526, up about 11,200 from five years earlier, according to U.S. census data. “Other estimates by some within the Hispanic community put the number as high as 150,000. The difference, according to some community leaders, can be attributed to the fact that many minorities shy away from surveys and census counts,” (The Columbus Dispatch, October 15, 2006).

  • • The Ohio Department of Health’s Minority Health Profile (2004) notes that, “Disparities in educational attainment, employment, and income disproportionately affect minorities and affect their health. Poverty can hinder transportation to medical care, increase the likelihood of living in unsanitary conditions and decrease the availability of low-cost fresh foods to name just a few. Employment serves as the gateway to healthcare for many individuals. Without health care coverage, many people do not obtain preventive health care examinations, accessing health care only when conditions are advanced or critical.”

  • • Franklin County’s leading causes of death (cancer, stroke, chronic lower respiratory disease, and diabetes) occur at rates above those for Ohio and the U.S.  Blacks in Franklin County die from four of these five causes (heart disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer) at even higher rates (United Way report, What Matters, 2004).

  • • Our present utilization of case management most closely resembles the “patient navigator” model. The Progressive Policy Institute’s Health Policy Wire (vol. 3, no. 9) noted that “Patient navigators can help everyone, but are particularly important for the poor and disadvantaged… Patient navigators help patients solve their own problems.”

  • • Both navigators and disease managers are utilized at a large Miami hospital, Jackson Memorial, to help underserved and uninsured patients with chronic disease. Jackson Memorial reported that “…[combined] use of navigators and disease managers have demonstrated significant savings to the system.” (VHA Health Foundation, 2005).