Originally from Thailand, Na Pe Po arrived in Huron with her husband and children.
Tragically, her husband passed away suddenly. She was left alone with a huge medical bill from his illness and the sole support of their children. Horizon Health stepped in with its Community Health Worker program to help ease the burden of her sudden loss.
“I was having a bad time,” she said. “Suddenly my husband passed away. I tried to be happy. I could do nothing after he passed.”
She was referred to Community Health Worker Samara Contreras at Horizon Health Huron. They were both assisted by Interpreter Mu Dah in ensuring Po was able to understand the documents Contreras needed to help alleviate the family’s medical bills.
“Having an in-house interpreter helps eliminate language barriers for both parties,” Contreras said. “Mu Dah is a great addition as a Karen interpreter because she makes sure the patient understands the steps or the plan that I am making with them during the visit.”
Contreras sees as many as six patients a day in Huron, one of Horizon’s busiest clinics. She helps with health issues like diabetes management and alcohol cessation. Other patients need help with a Medicaid application or navigating complicated forms not written in their native language. Each day could be something different depending on a patient’s needs.
“Maybe the patient is coming from out of state, out of the country just getting here new – they don’t a house they don’t have food, they don’t have clothing, they don’t have the resources they need to help us do the living,” Contreras said. “Imagine coming to a new country where you don’t speak the language.”
Contreras aligns their needs with local resources, so their health and well-being improve.
“As a community health worker, it’s really special helping the patient,” she said.
Without Horizon, Po said she would still be struggling to pay the enormous medical bills.
“I am very happy because Samara has helped me through these hard times,” Po said. “I am happy to come here.”
Access to care has improved Po’s overall health. Contreras introduced her to behavioral health services available from Horizon to help her cope with the pain of losing her spouse.
“It’s not easy having a spouse that you’ve woken up next to every day and suddenly they’re not there anymore,” Contreras said. “She does have other children. I’ve let her know that she is a strong mom that is there to support her children. I’m there to help her get through that.”