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A Snapshot Look
at a Few NHA Staff
Dr. John Uche
Dr. Uche, the NHA medical
director, joined the health care provider out of a desire to
work in an environment that offers “affordable, quality
health care” to the underserved. Whatever disappointments he
has experienced during his stint have to do with the fact
that so many more could have been reached over those years.
Nexus will indeed provide that access for so many more in
the community.
Dr. Uche, a native of
Nigeria, arrived in his adopted country 19 years ago and, as
with so many highly-skilled, highly-educated immigrants, did
what he had to do – started all over again. Dr. Uche, who
had practiced medicine in Nigeria, began his American life
as a warehouse clerk for Meijers. Lab work in Houston,
residency training in Chicago taught him the value in
working to improve the lot of the underserved and the
uninsured.
“There is a commitment you
make in your mind about where you are going and what gives
you satisfaction.”
Bonita Johnson
Johnson, the director of
compliance/patient advocacy, will also be handling the tasks
of making sure that the new 42,000 square-feet facility is
“pristine, clean and welcoming” for Nexus patients. Bonita
has been with NHA for six years – after spending a number of
years on the board including as board president – and
currently maintains all of NHA’s facilities making sure they
are “well-kept and immaculate.”
Johnson’s concerns for the
patients extends well beyond the appearance of the facility.
She also handles their concerns about the care and treatment
they receive in her role as patient advocate.
“I get the calls, I
correct the issues.”
Shantell Hereford
Hereford, clinical
coordinator, has been with NHA for 10 years and performs the
day-to-day oversight for the medical department –
scheduling, ordering supplies – “everything to do with
medical issues.”. As such she works closely with the medical
director to ensure that patients have all they need to
receive complete care.
A registered medical
assistant, Hereford is also a member of the leadership team
and the executive management team.
Tamara Bumpus
Bumpus, a nurse
practitioner who has been with NHA since 2010, manages the
Mildred Bayer Clinic for the Homeless which will move into
the Nexus facility with expanded treatment space for
patients. Mildred Bayer treats 20 to 30 patients a day and
Tamara develops treatment plans for acute and chronic
diseases while she and her staff educate sand guides
patients on disease prevention and healthy lifestyle habits.
The contact with patients
has been an important source of inspiration for Tamara.
“Ninety percent of my job is listening to patients. If you
look at them and listen to them, that will tell you
everything you need to know.” |
