The Indiana Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) is made up of member organizations throughout the state, working to ensure that all Hoosiers receive quality healthcare. IHC is one of IPHCA’s longest-standing member organizations, and members of our Executive Leadership Team are active participants in the organization’s meetings and board events. This valuable partnership helps IHC collaborate with health centers throughout the state, working together to advance healthcare goals and objectives for all. The following is an excerpt from IPHCA’s monthly digest, featuring IHC Case Manager Rosie Miller.
Rosie Miller, Case Manager at Project Homecoming
Indiana Health Centers, Inc.’s Project Homecoming opened in 1988 and became an anchor for the area’s homeless population. A freestanding facility, Project Homecoming operates in partnership with IHC South Bend’s medical providers. Rosie Miller is Project Homecoming’s Case Manager, and has over thirty years’ experience in case management and social work, Rosie understands how to reach patients – no matter what it takes. One particular elderly patient had stopped coming to appointments and was not refilling his medications as needed. “I just kept calling him,” Rosie said. After persistent calls from Rosie, and help from the Medical Assistant and Intake Specialist on staff, the man began calling back and taking advantage of the many services Project Homecoming has to offer. Soon, he started working with the mental health center in the area and, according to Rosie, “it was a 360-degree change.” Rosie, who spends time at area soup kitchens daily, even saw the man there, and scolded him for riding his moped soon after his cataract surgery. These personal connections are what make a difference to Project Homecoming’s patients. “This population doesn’t always realize how important healthcare is, so I try to help them understand,” Rosie says. “I don’t ever make people feel funny or like I’m looking down on them, because my personal philosophy is that we’re all one step away from being there ourselves.”