Meet Lisa

Lisa Reighter is a Supervisor of the Care Navigation Unit’s Emergency Room (ER) team and is a valuable member of the Fresenius Kidney Care Team. Just from hearing Lisa's story, it is evident that she is not only good at what she does but that she loves what she does. Read more to learn how Lisa is leading, innovating, and succeeding through care coordination.

LET’S HEAR WHAT LISA HAD TO SAY:

Q: Why did you join the FMCNA team?

A: Back in 2000, I was a new grad working the evening shift on a med-surgical floor at a local hospital.  I was perusing the job ads in the newspaper, and there was an advertisement for an evening position at an outpatient dialysis clinic. It stated: “No Sundays”.  Not knowing much about dialysis besides the sentence or two in my nursing curriculum, I decided to give it a try.  I loved it, and I’ve been in dialysis ever since. In the last 20 years, I’ve worked in the outpatient, inpatient, home therapies, and care coordination areas of FMCNA.  

Q: How do you feel that your role is a “vital part” in supporting our patients and our company?

A: My current role at Fresenius Health Partners (FHP) as supervisor of the Care Navigation Unit’s ER team involves value-based care— seen as the future of healthcare. My team specifically aims to prevent unnecessary hospitalizations by reaching out to ERs when an FHP member has presented there, offering records, and encouraging collaboration between the ER physician and the nephrologist to determine if the member may be stable to discharge to an outpatient dialysis clinic, should a dialysis treatment be necessary. We can then coordinate with nearby clinics, if the home clinic has no availability, to locate an open HD spot for this member, and eliminate the need for admission strictly for dialysis treatment. My team helps prevent unnecessary admissions to the hospitals, which not only saves money but ensures our patients are receiving the best care possible. We do this by receiving their personalized dialysis prescription at their clinic, and keeping them out of the hospital environment, if possible.

Q: Describe an experience or feeling that stands out when thinking of your career with FMCNA

A: The most memorable experiences in my career with FMCNA have all related to the relationships we create and cultivate with our patients. As a patient starts with Fresenius Kidney Care, they’re often shocked, overwhelmed, and scared of the entire dialysis process. Whether starting in the center, on home therapies, or an emergency in the hospital, I was often one of the first faces they would see.  How we approach this most difficult time in their lives truly affects their overall outcomes. By treating these patients with dignity, explaining everything to them in a manner they were able to understand, and educating them on how to be involved in their own dialysis care, they become empowered to be as healthy as possible.  Even simply holding the patient’s hand during their first needle stick or taking a few extra minutes to speak with them can have such a huge impact. They won’t forget that you took that time to show them you care.

Q: Do you feel you or your team/department leads, innovates, succeeds?

A: My section of the company, the Care Navigation Unit, is truly on the cutting edge of healthcare.  We are constantly evolving to provide the best services to our members and partners.  Not only does the ER Team aim to prevent unnecessary admissions by reaching out to the ERs when one of our member’s presents there for evaluation, but we also look into those who frequent the ERs regularly, and attempt to identify ways we could intervene to possibly prevent the ER visits— for example, do they have a Primary Care Physician?  Do they need transportation arrangements?  If the Care Navigation Unit is able to assist with these needs, we may be able to prevent future ER visits.

About Fresenius Medical Care

We have become a global leader in healthcare because of the unwavering dedication our people bring to work every day. Whether that means developing new-to-market dialysis technology or educating patients, our team touches the lives of more than 190,000 patients through innovative care and profound, personal connections.

With Fresenius Medical Care North America, you will “be the difference,” enabling patients to thrive, providing comfort to families, supporting coworkers so they can realize their goals, compelling our company to achieve through innovation and performance, and driving the development of your career.

Our team is made up of over 64,000 dedicated employees in North America, all of whom focus on being the difference and delivering the highest-quality care to people with kidney disease – helping them to lead longer better and healthier lives

Why Join our team?

• Rated as one of Forbes’ U.S. Best Employers
• Paid one-on-one training
• Tuition reimbursement
• Comprehensive health insurance
• Paid time off
• 401(K) and much more