Manuel's Story
January 18, 2022When a Phone is a Lifeline
A phone on loan through Holy Cross Health Network’s phone loaner program is a lifeline for Manuel Martinez. Unable able to work for the past several years due to chronic heart and lung problems, he is also recovering from the long-term effects of COVID-19 after a month-long stay in Holy Cross Hospital, followed by three months in rehab to regain his strength. Manuel received the phone in March, making it easier to communicate with his primary care providers at Holy Cross Health Center in Aspen Hill.
“To me, this was fantastic,” Manuel said. “Having a phone gives me security.”
The phone loaner program is a demonstration project to address the problem of patients missing doctors’ appointments at Holy Cross Health Centers in Aspen Hill, Gaithersburg, Germantown, and Silver Spring, which provide care to people without insurance or on Medicaid. If they don’t have a phone, patients can’t receive reminders of upcoming appointments. In March, Manuel and four other Health Center patients received a phone with a six-month data plan that can be renewed if needed. They found it very helpful — not only for keeping up with their health, but also for contacting family and friends, researching lower costs for prescription drugs, and even applying for jobs.
“Everybody working at Holy Cross — every day they save lives and they saved mine,” said Manuel.
“Everyone needs a phone. People are at a disadvantage without one,” said Silvia Fuentes, Licensed Clinical Social Worker. “Having the use of one of our loaner phones for six months can help patients bridge a crucial point and get on a better footing with their health — and their lives.” This is just one example of how Holy Cross Health Network finds innovative, new ways to help underserved communities.
A long-time patient at the Health Center in Aspen Hill, Manuel receives additional support beyond health care. Every two weeks, he gets fresh fruit and vegetables through Holy Cross Health’s partnership with Hungry Harvest. “Holy Cross also gives me Metro Access vouchers to go to the clinic and hospital for appointments,” Manuel said.
“Health isn’t limited to clinical care,” noted Annice Cody, president of Holy Cross Health Network. “We’re committed to meeting people where they are to promote healthy living — and that extends to food security, housing and transportation assistance for our community.”
Compassion. Hope. Resilience. Gratitude.
For nearly 60 years, we have provided unparalleled care in our community through our hospitals, first in Silver Spring, then in Germantown, and the Holy Cross Health Network, which operates primary care practices and affordable health centers and offers a wide range of innovative, community-based health and wellness programs. Specialty care, home care and hospice services round out our high-quality and coordinated continuum of care that aims to improve health and move life ahead for people in our region.
Now, supported in part by the contributions of generous donors to the Holy Cross Health Foundation, we are poised to build the Holy Cross Health of the future. We invite you to join us in driving our mission forward as we make important investments in our new outpatient Cancer Center, the renovation of the Holy Cross Hospital Labor and Delivery unit, and additional community initiatives to increase access to equitable health care.
Every generous donor helps transform the lives of all those cared for by Holy Cross Health.
Your donation makes a difference. Donate online or call us at 301-557-GIVE (4483).