The healthcare system consists of a diverse team of professionals, all there for the same reason: to provide quality care to patients. There are certified nursing assistants, registered nurses, physician associates, physicians, technicians, paramedics and administrative workers. All these jobs and more keep a healthcare clinic running smoothly.
However, there’s another area that may be overlooked, and can bridge the gap between patients and social challenges when they come into the emergency department: Community health professionals. Community health professionals include a number of professions whose main goal is to help connect people in the community to valuable resources like food, housing, clothing, care and more, all things that improve quality of life and health outcomes.
Picture this: a mother in her third trimester of a high-risk pregnancy is frequently visiting the emergency room. She has two children at home and has just lost her job. With rent overdue, limited income and no response on rental assistance, the stress continued to grow.
With support from a Community Health Worker, she is connected to local food pantries and housing assistance. She even received support in communicating directly with her landlord, who ultimately forgave the past-due balance. There are many stories like this that shed light on the impact community health can have on individuals and families, turning overwhelming situations into manageable next steps.
Nebraska Health Network values the important role community health plays in supporting those in need every day. Elisha Muhleka, the pharmacy services program coordinator at Nebraska Medicine, completed her community health fieldwork experience with the NHN while pursuing her Bachelor's of Science in Community Health. Working closely with Population Health Coordinator Kelly Mand, she saw firsthand the positive outcomes community health has on patients and families.
“I was drawn to the idea of helping people navigate systems, connect with resources and address barriers before they become larger health problems,” Muhleka said. “I'm a big fan of working on problems upstream instead of constantly putting out the same fires.”
Throughout her academic training, she learned how important community health is to the community and realized there are so many things outside of the hospital walls that affect patients.
“Community health work is important because health does not begin and end in a clinic or hospital,” she said. “Factors such as housing, food access, transportation, employment, social support and healthcare policy have a tremendous influence on health outcomes.”
Muhleka has had many experiences working in this field, but she says the biggest thing that has stuck out to her is the compassion community health professionals share. As she heard stories from the field, she quickly realized how deeply they care for the people they serve. The conversations showed her that community health is much more than simply connecting people to resources. It’s also about building relationships, trust and advocating for individuals during the most difficult times in their lives.
“While systems and processes are important, people are at the heart of this work,” she said. “That compassion is what stayed with me the most and continues to influence how I approach my own career in healthcare.”
Lesly Hernandez is another helpful hand in the community. In addition to being a certified Community Health Worker in the emergency department at Methodist Fremont Health, she is the bilingual central navigator for Fremont Family Coalition. Hernandez became interested in this line of work when she noticed how many families struggle to navigate systems like healthcare, benefits, housing and school support. Especially those families who are facing language barriers.
“I wanted to be someone who could help bridge those gaps and make resources feel less overwhelming and more accessible,” Hernandez said.
Every day is different for somebody in the community health field. For Hernandez, a day in the emergency department means conducting social drivers of health screenings and assisting patients with non-medical needs such as food insecurity, housing concerns, transportation, insurance, utility assistance or navigating community resources.
“At Fremont Family Coalition, I help patients complete applications, connect them to local programs, coordinate with schools and agencies, provide interpretation and follow up with families to make sure they continue receiving support,” she said.
What has remained consistent throughout her career is Hernandez's commitment to advocacy, building relationships within her community and earning the trust of individuals who come through the emergency department doors.
Everyday community health efforts reduce barriers, improve communication and connect people to resources before their situation becomes more serious. The professionals in the field play a large role in prevention, support and overall wellbeing of the community.
