Licensed Practical Nurse and Health Coach Kim Richcreek
at WellSpan Family Medicine – Wheatlyn, is exemplifying what caring,
compassionate nursing looks like.
During a health coach session, Kim had a 14-year-old
patient attend with his family to discuss the importance of healthy food
choices, as he had been struggling with his weight. However, the boy noted that
since there were seven members of his family, his parents could only afford instant
noodles to feed their children.
This confession was not surprising to Kim. WellSpan
Family Medicine - Wheatlyn takes part in WellSpan Health’s Market Bucks program
every summer, which provides low-income families discounted prices at healthy
produce markets in the community. However, Richcreek noticed that when the
Market Bucks program would end in the fall, patients and their families
struggled to find healthy food options at an affordable price.
“We are a patient-centered medical home,” Richcreek said.
“We have therapy here, we provide lab services, and a health coach. We have all
these services that help people. Food is just an integral part of that.”
After recognizing this need in her patients, Kim jumped into
action. In between her normal duties as a health coach, Kim also
single-handedly began to run this food pantry. That includes the intake of
patient grocery lists, shopping for those chosen items, stocking the food, and
taking donations. These tasks are typically completed on her own time or during
her lunch breaks.
Patients eligible to access the food pantry include those
on medical assistance or those enrolled in Healthy Community Care. If patients
do not fall in either of these categories but are still lacking access to
healthy foods, Richcreek works with them to enroll in Healthy Community Care,
which would then qualify them for food pantry support.
Once identified, patients complete a grocery list of
healthy options that they would be interested in. They can then call the
WellSpan Family Medicine – Wheatlyn office once a month to pick up the supplies
that they had requested.
“Patients build a trust with you,” said Richcreek. “It’s
comforting for them to know that they can come here and express their needs and
their needs can be met.”
At one time, all foods that were stocked in the food
pantry were provided through donations. Thanks to Kim’s tireless efforts and
the support of her Practice Manager Joceyln, the practice has recently been
approved for a York Hospital Auxiliary Grant that provides $400 a month to
stock the pantry with healthy foods.
However, donations are still the best way to
assist the patients in need at WellSpan Family Medicine – Wheatlyn. If you are
interested in giving, please call the practice at (717) 812-5229.
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