Care Coordinator helps families at SECHD

Kami Cohoon, RN is the Medical Clinic's Care Coordinator.

Kami has been working in rural medicine since 2003 when she started as a NA and ward clerk at the Goodland Regional Medical Center just after graduating college. She also obtained her EMT certificate and worked as a Volunteer EMT while attending nursing school. Kami obtained her registered nurse degree from Colby Community College and continued working in Goodland as both an RN and EMT. In 2009, Kami and her family moved to Baca County and she began work with Southeast Colorado Medical Clinic. Kami has a passion for teaching patients ways they can manage and optimize their own health and has obtained advanced training as a patient navigator and as a clinical health coach.

With the changing face of medicine recommending prevention and holistic management, a care coordinator helps patients manage their complex health issues. Kami spends time both in person and on the phone with the patient addressing their questions and concerns so that the patient does not have to come to the clinic for a formal appointment. Kami spends time one on one with patients and helps set goals for improving their overall health. Specifically, Kami has Diabetes Education training to help our patients with one of the most common conditions in the community. Diabetes is a very difficult condition to manage, but with Kami’s help patients have been able to achieve their goals and prevent complications.

Annual Wellness Visits are an integral part of overall patient health. Kami, or one of our trained nurses, will sit down with the patient and go through recommended health screenings based on the patient's age, past medical history, and family medical history. Some examples of issues addressed are cancer screenings needed/recommended, vaccines needed/recommended, laboratory screenings such as lipids and Hepatitis C screening, fall risk, depression and dementia screening. Often, depending on your insurance, the screening tests will be free of charge.

Patients often have difficulty with transportation, obtaining/affording medications, or other difficulties and Kami works to connect them with available resources in the area. Kami is an integral part of the Southeast Colorado Medical Clinic providing whole person care for our community.

Kami is a champion at helping our community better access and understand the resources available to improve family health.