THE EXCHANGE - OneWorld

THE EXCHANGEA publication of OneWorldCommunity Health CentersIssue 1 2021OneWorld in theFace of the PandemicPage 4

C E O M E S S AG EOneWorld Loves Our HeroesAfter a year of challenges, thelast month of 2020 was one ofcelebration as we received theCovid-19 vaccine to administer toour OneWorld staff.Andrea Skolkin,Chief Executive OfficerWe are thankful to have been giventhe historic opportunity to be in thefirst phase of vaccine distribution.The safety and health of our staff and patients is our top priority and wehave been preparing for this moment. Our clinicians have been diligentin researching the vaccines with some even participating in clinicaltrials.We are proud of the dedication of all of our staff. They provide ourpatients exceptional care and have shown themselves to be trueheroes throughout this pandemic, stepping up to help with whateveris needed. From the long hours to ensure patients are cared for todelivering food and essentials to patient families – the heart withwhich our OneWorld staff services the community is a reflection of ourmission.As we look forward to administeringthe Covid-19 vaccine to the publicwe will ensure that our patientsregardless of immigration status,income, race, ethnicity, genderidentity, language, disability,LGBT-QIA and so many more haveaccess to the vaccine.Receiving the Covid-19 vaccine addsone more layer of protection againstthe disease. If we use all the tools we have, we stand the best chanceof “getting back to normal.” Being vaccinated, wearing a mask, stayingsix feet away from others, avoiding crowds and washing your handsare the tools we must use to “get back to normal”. Our personal andorganizational decisions are key in protecting yourself, your coworkers,your family and your community.ISSUE 1 2021I 2 I OneWorldOmaha.org

Save the DateJanuary 25th - February 15th KETV Virtual Onesies (and more) drive for OneWorld moms and babiesMay 1 - Day of the Child in collaboration with Radio Lobo0August - Get Up Get Moving & Back to School Bash0Fall - Coats for KidsNovember 4th - MilagroOneWorld SnapshotIn partnership with our friends at KETV, American National Bankand B2B – Big Wheels to Butterflies we are collecting donations tohelp our tiniest patients and their parents. All expectant motherswho attend prenatal appointments earn “baby bucks” to spend inthe Baby Boutique, or in this virtual environment, packages that wesend to homes. These purchases give families a strong, healthystart. Every dollar donated will benefit our patients. You will helpprovide car seats, beds, pack and plays, blankets, socks/booties,baby care items, diapers, and of course, onesies! You can alsochoose to designate your dollars to the selections listed.https://www.oneworldomaha.org/onesies/or text onesies to 41444 to donateOur little ones thank you!Dr. McVeaOneWorld in the Face ofthe PandemicPAGE 4OneWorld Caring for theCommunityPAGE 8At OneWorld All Are WelcomeISSUE 1 2021I 3 I OneWorldOmaha.org

Dr. Kristine McVea, MD, MPHOneWorld Chief Medical OfficerOneWorld in the Face of the PandemicIt has been a long road for healthcare workersfacing this pandemic. We are not through it yet,but as the vaccine has begun to be administeredthere is an air of hope.“The vaccine is a sense of joy – a light at theend of the tunnel. My Covid story is going toend” said Dr. Kris McVea, Chief Medical Officer,OneWorld Community Health Centers.The fight started in back in March 2020 asmedical reports of the Coronavirus becameavailable. Through the leadership of Dr. McVeaOneWorld began the process of increasingsafety protocols to prepare for the virus hittingNebraska. Screeners were placed at entrancesto check all those incoming for potential Covid-19symptoms.All employees were required to start wearingmasks and then masks were provided forpatients. Increased environmental controls andair filtering devices were placed throughoutall OneWorld clinics. In a short period of timetelehealth services were up and running, driveup Covid-19 testing and separated areas for wellpatient checks. Additionally, work from homeprocedures were established for staff to limit thenumber of people in clinic areas.“I was very thankful we started all of theadditional safety protocols when we did” saidDr. McVea. “The Monday following therequirement of all staff to be masked, wereceived our first Covid-19 patients comingthrough the doors.”ISSUE 1 2021I 4 I OneWorldOmaha.org

“To hearsomeonescared, isolatedand short ofbreath – hasbeen hard on allfrontline staff.”The first three months of the pandemicDr. McVea lead on pure adrenaline. Organizingand training staff every other day and retrainingas new information came from the CDC.“Working long days without a day off, I was notsleeping well. It was a lot a responsibility. I didn’twant patients to die or employees to get Covid.I wanted to ensure we were doing everythingpossible to keep our community healthy.”OneWorld has seen how the pandemic cannotbe taken lightly.“Early on we had two young dads present withCovid” said Dr. McVea. “Neither of them hadunderlying health issues. They tried to stick itout too long at home and they both left behindyoung children. The toll of telling people badnews is very hard – it is a heavy burden to carry.”Weather in person or on the phone “to hearsomeone scared, isolated and short of breath. Ithas been hard on all frontline staff.”“A few weeks ago a patient who I have beencaring for the last fifteen years passed away. Shehad health issues and would come in to see meregularly. We all got to know her. She was verypositive and she was doing well. She died athome before she could get her Covid resultsback. That hit me very hard” said Dr. McVea.“After everything we had worked on together tohelp her live a long healthy life.”The toll of this pandemic on people, our nationand the world has been unlike anything mostof us have seen. The suffering is hard to putinto words. In our community, South Omaha inparticular, has experienced increased suffering.People have been afraid to go to work, but manyOneWorld patients have been left with no choicein order to provide for their families. Those whocontracted the virus were often quarantinedwithout pay and many have been laid off asbusinesses struggle. The demand for food andessentials among OneWorld patients and theISSUE 1 2021I 5 I OneWorldOmaha.org

South Omaha area saw an increase in Covidduring the holiday season and it was hard onfamilies already struggling.Beyond the financial struggles, anxiety, socialstresses and isolation are taking a toll andthere are children that cannot go to school anddo not have online access at home. Parentsare unable to help because they do not speakEnglish well enough or they have not attendedschool themselves. Children we care for are notprogressing at the same level as their peers inthe community with more resources. They areanxious, bored, sad, and isolated. “I have beenstruck by how challenging it is for people whoare already pretty marginalized and do not havemany resources.”“As close as wehave been withour patientsthis pandemichas brought usinto people’shomes in away we havenever beenbefore.”“We had a patient test positive for Covid-19 whowas a member of a very large family. Our staffworked for hours with the mother figuring outways to quarantine a family of twelve in a verytiny home with one bathroom. As close as wehave been with our patients this pandemic hasbrought us into people’s homes in a way wehave never been before” said Dr. McVea. It hasreally brought the challenges to a new light.There are so many patients and people inthe community around OneWorld clinics intremendous need. “Our goal from a leadershiplevel has been to take a long-term approach.It has been stressful, but I have been so inspiredby our core leaders and feel a stronger senseof connection to our mission and a deeper trustin each other. I have been so proud of our team.I have seen people step-up and blossom intoleaders.”Dr. Kristine McVea, MD, MPHOneWorld Chief Medical OfficerISSUE 1 2021I 6 I OneWorldOmaha.org

Actions justlike this havehelped ussave manypeoples’ lives.During a recent snow storm after working a fullshift one of our staff delivered a pulse oximeterto a patient’s home. It was one of our winterdays, and it was so slick the car would not makeit up the driveway, so our employee walked andstood on the front porch in the cold waiting forthe patient to come out to share the results. Thatpatient was then sent to the hospital becausehow low the oxygen levels were. Actions just likethis have helped us save many peoples’ livesand get them the care they need.To read more inspiring stories please visitoneworldomaha.orgISSUE 1 2021I 7 I OneWorldOmaha.org

OneWorld Caring for the CommunitySince the pandemic hit the OneWorldsocial work team has been providingcrisis case management to patients, thisincludes:Continuous screening of food andresource insecuritiesDelivering of food and gift cardsCollaboration with community partnersConnecting patients to economicfunding resourcesOneWorld patient family receiving food and essential suppliesThe main priority is to make sure thatour patient families have their basicneeds and social determinants of healthmet, especially those who are Covid-19positive. This holiday season the socialwork team invited OneWorld staff tocontribute to families in need by donatinggift cards. “This allowed more families tobe served for an extended period of time”said Nikki West, CSW – OneWorld SocialWork Supervisor. “Many of our familiesare still trying to get their basic needsmet, and these gift cards ensure thatthey have enough food to eat, gas intheir car, clothing, baby items and more.”Local faith communities also stepped upto help our patients during the holidays.Patients leave messageson their doors for OneWorldsocial workers delivering foodto them. The translation fromSpanish reads, “We are prayingfor you and your family.”ISSUE 1 2021I 8 I OneWorldOmaha.org

“Grief isnot linear.We will begrieving thispandemicfor years tocome.”Social worker days are filled with managing crisis calls. The team prioritizes tasks as they come in.Tackling issues that require immediate attention and working to ensure patients get connected to themost appropriate resources in a timely manner. Rent and utilities have been a struggle.“Many of our patients do not qualify for government funded programs, so we are continuouslysearching for other funding sources in order to avoid eviction or disconnection of services.”“I have worked closely with two Mothers’ who have lost their husbands due to COVID” said Nikki.“They also contracted COVID. In a matter of seconds, they became single moms and widows.“I witnessed them acknowledge their grief and heartache, lean into the support offered and becomefiercely resilient. They attended an eight week support group where they were able to share theirstories of hurt with other grieving adults while also celebrating the life of their husbands. It was abeautiful and humbling experience to be part of.”One of the biggest things learned from this pandemic is “Grief is not linear” said Nikki. “We will begrieving this pandemic for years to come. Our patients will forever be affected. However, when grief isdiscussed openly and with empathy, it allows patients to become resilient with the knowledge they arenot alone. Because of this, they trust us and our patients continue to call and request assistance whenneeded. They share their stories of heartbreak and personal setbacks. This allows us to use our voicesto stand up for their social, economic and racial inequalities and to provide sound, compassionate carethat is culturally sensitive.To read more inspiring stories please visitoneworldomaha.orgISSUE 1 2021I 9 I OneWorldOmaha.org