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5 Quick Questions with: Chrissanny Nazario, LCSW

https://www.rifreeclinic.org/who-we-are/staff/

 

1. What is your role in the RI healthcare community?

Practicum Supervisor and Clinical Social Worker at the Rhode Island Free Clinic in Providence, RI

 

2. What do you love about your job?

I enjoy providing counseling services to individuals for free and in their native language. Another thing I love is supervising the next social workers of Rhode Island.

 

3. What is the biggest challenge that you face when providing care to your patient population?

The biggest challenge is finding adequate services for the population we service.

 

4. What are some healthcare barriers that your non-English speaking patients face?

Access to health insurance, language and literacy challenges as well as fear of losing the health benefits at the agency where I work.

 

5. If you could make one change to the RI healthcare system, what would it be?

Free or even affordable healthcare for every Rhode Islander as data says we have approximately 45,000 uninsured residents in our states.

 

Anything else you'd like to add about current challenges facing the RI healthcare community?

Access to appointments. Many healthcare facilities are understaffed so appointments can take several months. Also, mental health access to non-English speakers, the wait is so long and it can be detrimental to a patient's health.