Stephanie: Kinston, NC

Stephanie is a registered nurse and Family Medicine Unit Manager at the Kinston Community Health Center, which offers comprehensive primary care to the entire community. 

Stephanie and her colleagues often see people who do not have access to health insurance. The lack of insurance makes it difficult for them to provide the care patients need: “We often find our hands are tied for patients who lack Medicaid or other coverage,” she said. 

Stephanie has seen how much of a difference access to health coverage means to people’s health. One of her patients was diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer. She had private health insurance and got the care and services she needed. Today, she’s alive and well. 

Another of Stephanie’s patients had a tumor behind his eye. He did not have health insurance, couldn’t get the necessary treatment and surgeries he needed. He is now blind in that eye and struggling to make ends meet. “That outcome could have been avoided if he’d had access to Medicaid,” Stephanie said. 
 

Special thanks to Kinston Community Health Center for their partnership.