July 25, 2017
Thanks to your input from Engagement Surveys, we continue to share examples of team members inspired by our mission, believing in the purpose of our work and bringing “ThePromise,” –“The Best Care, Designed for You,” to life. An IU Health Physicians Rheumatology doctor demonstrates through her engagement, a partnership with patients in their care.
Engaged leader, her passion is all about patients
Mary “Mimi” Jacobs, MD, IU Health Physicians, Rheumatology, (pictured) is all about taking care of patients. “If she had to cancel a clinic she always found time to add a make-up date to reschedule her patents,” said Celeste Hinko, interim vice president, Access and Referral Management. Hinko, who previously served as ambulatory nurse manager at the Medical Diagnostic Center observed numerous ways Jacobs impacted patients. “I saw her prepare to tell one of her young adult patients about a life changing diagnosis and how it affected her after the conversation,” Hinko explains. “Her compassion is amazing.”
Hinko was not surprised to learn about Jacobs’ interest in becoming involved with IU Health Physicians Operations and Standards Management Committee, formed from the Enterprise Alignment effort of the healthcare system. In the past year, her involvement with the IConnect Patient Access Center (IPAC) Value Stream Team has helped improve work flows and revised practice standards. “The thing that impresses me, is that she challenges leaders to think more creatively about access for patients,” said Shelby Smith, director, IPAC. “At a recent meeting, she asked if consideration was given to prioritize our own health plan/system patients to those first-timers that travel here and may only be seen once. She is speaking my language, as this is something that other groups are doing to help with the care of their ‘own’ across the country.”
In an ongoing effort by IU Health Physicians to reduce appointment wait times and make it easier to schedule appointments, this example of physician engagement is welcomed and applauded. “Mimi is a caring physician striving to make a significant impact on delivering healthcare to our IU Health patients, while also pursuing her MBA,” said Lee McHenry, MD, IU Health Physicians Digestive and Liver Disorders. “She has been universally praised by patients and colleagues for a decade,” said Brian Kremer, vice president, IU Health Physicians, practice operations.
