Goshen Outreach Worker to Receive Planetree Award

HRHCare Community Health, a nonprofit system of Federally Qualified Health Centers offering a range of medical services for underserved communities throughout the Hudson Valley and Long Island, is pleased to announce that Rodrigo Gallego, an outreach worker and medical interpreter at the HRHCare Alamo Health Center at Goshen, will be presented with the January 2016 Planetree Spirit Award for excellence in patient care. The HRHCare Planetree Institute presents these awards to employees who go above and beyond to make health care more personalized and create a warm and welcoming environment for all.

An HRHCare outreach worker in Goshen for 14 years, Rodrigo Gallego decided to devote his time to farmworker health after running his own restaurant for a number of years. A medical interpreter for Spanish and Portuguese, HIV counselor and NYCAMH educator, Rodrigo is known for his incredible dedication to helping every patient he encounters navigate our sometimes complicated health system. Recently, he encountered a migrant farmworker in Middletown with a lump on her breast. He helped her make an appointment at the Alamo Health Center, resulting in her being referred to a surgeon for a follow-up. Knowing her situation and financial limitations, Rodrigo accompanied her to the Catskill Regional Medical Center for the appointment and helped her apply for CharityCare, as she did not qualify for any insurance plan or Medicaid. She was scheduled for surgery three days later. “Rodrigo works with the entirety of the Goshen team, from front-desk staff to medical staff, to ensure that our patients get the attention they need,” said Elba Bizoni, HRHCare Operations Manager. ”He was with this patient every step of the way as he is with every patient he encounters.”

Rodrigo truly goes above and beyond in his concern for HRHCare patients, even occasionally volunteering during the Sunday Hot Meals Program at the Alamo Health Center. ”Patients need compassionate care, understanding, and to be taught to practice better self-care,” said Rodrigo. ”We are a company that cares for people no matter their legal status, race or religion. We are always here to help them live a healthier life and support them in their pursuit of good health.” In addition to his passion for farmworker health, Rodrigo is a sports car enthusiast and cyclist, riding at least four times per week.

Planetree is the global leader in the advancement of patient-centered care solutions, integrating the technology of modern medicine with the healing dimensions of compassion, comfortable surroundings, shared knowledge and freedom to make educated choices. HRHCare has been an affiliate since 1996 and remains the only Federally Qualified Health Center to be a part of this alliance. The HRHCare Planetree Institute was established in 2012 and provides state-of-the-art training to prepare staff in delivering passionate and personalized care. The HRHCare Planetree Spirit Award honors employees who have been nominated by their colleagues for going above and beyond to provide individualized patient care and enhance health care services in their respective facility.

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