Martha has been receiving care at the Ascension Angel of Hope Clinic in Milwaukee for the past 7 years. That initial connection years ago, says Martha, saved her life.
Martha was referred by word of mouth to Angel of Hope as an option to treat her ongoing, unresolved and painful symptoms.
“The Angel of Hope clinic was 1,000% better than where I had been going,” Martha said. “The staff here are so attentive and helpful. They really helped me navigate a plan of care and I finally received a proper diagnosis that I truly feel has saved my life.”
Martha was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, acid reflux and sinus issues. Her previous providers at another health system dismissed her medical concerns. The pain got so bad that Martha considered leaving her family in Wisconsin to seek care elsewhere. That’s when she learned of Angel of Hope.
Ascension Wisconsin Foundation is dedicated to furthering Ascension’s mission to care for all persons with special attention to those who are poor and vulnerable. At the Angel of Hope Clinic, family medicine doctors and advanced practice nurse practitioners provide compassionate, personalized primary care. Caregivers at Angel of Hope provide services such as: asthma maintenance, diabetes or high blood pressure management, immunizations and medications, and preventive health care screenings.
Providers at Angel of Hope work to make a lasting impact on the lives of patients through education and resources to sustain the health of the whole person.
“I get emotional talking about how they focused on my entire body and helped me find specialty treatment,” Martha said. “I thought about leaving the country and my family at one time. The financial counselor provided resources and assistance that I needed so I could stay.”
Marysol Zeidler, Manager of Ascension Angel of Hope Clinic, said that without a financial counselor, patients would often deny necessary medical procedures because of language barriers with the application or it was too difficult to understand and navigate the process.
“Ascension Wisconsin Foundation has supported our programs and services for many years. Recently, the Foundation stepped in to fund the Financial Advisor Counselor position,”
Marysol said. “This position is so valuable to serving the community’s needs because it provides both a translator and a navigator for the financial application process and documents.”
“It also helps the Emergency departments at our local hospitals and urgent care facilities because patients are able to utilize our clinic for their care,” Marysol said. “With the financial advisor as part of our care team, we can better educate patients about financial assistance and the use of Medicaid.”
The financial counseling and holistic care that patients receive at Angel of Hope is second-to-none. Because of that care, Martha and many others can feel like themselves again. Martha has since referred her mother and sister to receive care at Angel of Hope.
“Because they properly diagnosed me and treated my entire body, I got my life back and I am very thankful,” Martha said. ‘The team at Angel of Hope really cares about me and I will keep coming back. Thank you for all your help.”.
Martha’s care, and so many others, is made possible by generous donors of Ascension Wisconsin Foundation and The Catholic Community Foundation. The donors have such a large impact that Martha would like to thank them and the community who support the clinic and help provide these valuable resources for those who are in need.
“God bless [the donors],” Martha said. “I am so thankful for these services that helped me and my family.”
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