Page 6 – Here for Life

Voices of Hennepin Healthcare: Angela Hirsh

April 12, 2022

Angie Hirsch, LICSW, an American Indian mental health coordinator, advocates for integrating traditional American Indian and Western models of medicine for culturally affirming care.

“Hennepin Healthcare is in a unique position because they serve everybody,” says Angie Hirsch, LICSW, the American Indian mental health clinical coordinator for the Behavioral Health Division of the Minnesota Department of Human Services (MDHS). Hennepin Healthcare provides care to many of the 500+ tribes located in Minnesota, as well as members of tribes from around the country that reside in Hennepin County. Before the pandemic, Angie traveled twice a month to local tribal communities to develop better mental health policies and practices for American Indian people. (more…)

Gen Z speak: Slang and language through emojis and tech

April 11, 2022

No matter your age, there is a word or words to describe “cool.” Slang words for “cool” often define one generation to the next. In fact, the word “cool” itself has been used by many generations. Depending on your generation, you may remember using words and phrases with your friends, such as “swag,” “gag me with a spoon,” and “tight,” expressions that your parents and other adults did not understand without additional context. (more…)

Kidney donor and grateful transplant recipient join Donate Life ceremonies

April 6, 2022

As we celebrate Donate Life month in April, a promotion to increase awareness about organ, tissue and eye donation and what that can mean to others, we annually raise the Donate Life flag in a celebration on our campus.

This year, the celebration included a kidney donor and the recipient of his kidney, who actually met for the first time last fall. (more…)

Voices of Hennepin Healthcare: Joe Kreisman

March 11, 2022

Joe Kreisman, the social impact manager for the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District, recommends a healthcare model founded in hospitality that helps patients to feel at home through a community of care.

“Having a central, compassionate healthcare system that anyone can go to is an essential backbone of a healthy downtown community,” asserts Joe Kreisman, the social impact manager for the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District. Joe works directly with those experiencing homelessness in downtown Minneapolis by facilitating community engagement and supporting programs.

As Hennepin Healthcare continues its innovative planning process to advance health equity, Joe dreams of a community healthcare model that encourages everyone to feel at home in downtown Minneapolis. (more…)

Part two: What it’s like to be Black and a doctor in white America

March 9, 20221

In a previous article, Dr. Iesha Galloway-Gilliam shared her experience of being Black and a doctor. This week, Dr. Elizabeth Alabi shares her story. (more…)

Farewell to an appendix: Grateful patient documents emergency surgery by Michael Voges

March 9, 20221

Patient Michael Voges One night I had a tummy ache. My wife, of course, immediately proclaimed I should go to the ER because it’s probably my appendix. But I felt better the next day. Mostly. In fact, for the balance of the next ten days, I felt fine, mostly. I had a low fever for a couple of hours a day and got the chills for a while but it never stuck. My appetite wasn’t great but who can’t stand to lose a little weight in today’s world?

Fearful of my wife’s initial proclamation, I kept poking my appendix area because I really wanted something to blame for this mild discomfort, but if it was tender there, it seemed to be only because of all the diagnostic poking. After over a week of this occasional low fever-chills-tummy thing, I finally decided to get in touch with the nice folks on the Ask a Nurse line. They said week-long tummy aches aren’t the norm and I should probably go see someone.

My regular clinic on East Lake was booked but they got me into the nearby Whittier Clinic the next morning at 9:00 AM to see Kelly E. Pezzella, APRN, CNP who was simply fantastic. Kelly dutifully poked my belly to see if she could make me scream and then ordered up some blood tests in the clinic. Some very nice people smiled and chatted and poked a few holes in me eventually procuring the nectar of life and sending me on my way. (more…)

What it’s like to be Black and a doctor in white America

February 25, 2022

Dr. Iesha Galloway-Gilliam, an Internal Medicine provider at Hennepin Healthcare shares her experience and challenges being Black and a doctor in this interview: (more…)

Voices of Hennepin Healthcare: Toya López

February 16, 2022

Toya López, a patient and former team member at Hennepin Healthcare, strongly believes in a sustainable healthcare design that cares for patients and environmental health.

“At Hennepin Healthcare, we are amongst leaders,” praises Toya López, a patient and former team member (employee) of Hennepin Healthcare, as well as a board member for Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate. “The people who work here care about the purpose. Part of the purpose is to make a healthier environment.”

López’s career integrates their passions for health equity and environmental sustainability. “I’m grateful for the care I receive here as a patient. I know what it’s like to be a patient and an employee. This is very much a purpose-driven place,” explains López. (more…)

Welcome to Here for Life

Angie Hirsch, LICSW, an American Indian mental health coordinator, advocates for integrating traditional American Indian and Western models of medicine for culturally affirming care.

Joe Kreisman, the social impact manager for the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District, recommends a healthcare model founded in hospitality that helps patients to feel at home through a community of care.