1. Tell us a little about yourself, who you are, what you do, and what brought you to Alliance?
My name is Diana Pizarro, I am 64 years old. I have been working in the business of helping people since I was 9 or 10 years old. As a young girl I used to help my mother’s friends and family that came from Puerto Rico who did not know how to speak English, with translation, filling out forms, applications, and taking them to the hospital and HRA for assistance.
No wonder I am in this line of work.
I was recommended to the Alliance after I was a case manager at GMHC for almost 15 years, serving for several as Treatment Adherence Manager where I provided clients with tools to remember to take their medications like the use of a calendar, a wristband timer to set alarm and a medicine box with the letters of every day of the week.
Now I am a Health Homes Case Manager.
2. Tell me about your current program/service and what problem it solves.
Health Home case management provides resources for people that are diagnosed with chronic diseases, like mental health, Diabetes, Asthma, and HIV, to name a few. Health Home case management assists the clients with linkage to medical services and monitors their good health practice for stability. We also provide resources for individuals and families in need of shelter, support groups etc... Case Managers like me coordinate meetings with other providers, general practitioners, therapists, and others—with the clients’ consent, of course and work towards developing a unique care plan that can assist the client obtain their medical and mental health goals.
3. Right now, do you work with drastically different populations than earlier in your career?
At Alliance, my caseload is even more diverse. In this line of work, you face different challenges based on each client’s situation. Some may need special housing allowances or health needs. I advocate for all my clients to reach their care plan goals. One particular client that was on my case load multiple times was looking for more desirable housing. I was able to help him get an apartment, then he moved away, and he came back, I assisted him again, and then moved again.
4. Is there an achievement or contribution to this program you are particularly proud of?
Helping clients with resources for work, and gaining employment. One person I have worked with trained to become a home attendant in nursing. Another who was not sure they could handle working now works in a restaurant and is thinking of going back to college.
5. How has your program changed during the pandemic?
Virtual services. Learning modern technology and getting access to services. It has been a challenge, especially for our older clients, but fortunately nothing disastrous has happened, like them losing passwords to key services.
6. If you could do anything in addition to what you are doing now, what would it be?
I would donate to organizations like ours, and healthcare institutions that help people with diabetes, cancer, and breast cancer. And I would travel abroad a lot more. I have been to Germany, Paris, and the Netherlands. I would like to see more of the world. Tokyo, Greece, which I am hoping to go to this Summer.
