Family of nurses provide amazing care to Aetna members
As Nurse Case Managers in the Community Care Department, Stacy, Kathleen and Melita provide telephone outreach to Aetna Medicare members. They are patient, compassionate, driven to provide top quality care. And one other thing, they are family.
Stacy Losasso became a nurse when she was nearly 40. “Attending nursing school while raising three young children and working was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and one of my biggest accomplishments.” Stacy had a remarkable career that includes working for hospice.
Kathleen Casto, Stacy’s sister, is a preceptor who teaches and mentors others and works in the readmission program where she strives to keep patients from returning to a hospital setting. “I was nine when Dad, a CPR instructor and rescue squad volunteer, got an urgent call. I wondered, ‘Who’s sick? Is it a kid like me?’ I wanted to help.”
Melita Duda married Kathleen’s twin brother and entered nursing school after high school. “My aunt was a passionate nurse practitioner. She inspired me, but I’ve always felt the most fulfilled helping others.” Melita worked in a doctor’s office for years and is a huge advocate for patient education.
On an average day they assist up to 20 members. Duties include helping them understand medications, organizing follow-up appointments and ensuring that home care, transportation and meals are available. “In our specific program, Aetna provides 14 meals to members after discharge. They are so grateful for this gesture,” Kathleen adds.
Facing the challenges, relishing the victories
The professional challenges that weigh most on their minds include diminished time for patient-facing care because of required paperwork, staffing shortages since COVID-19, when many in their profession opted out of jobs, and patient frustration trying to secure doctor visits.
Challenges aside, they agree there’s nothing like leaving members better off than when they found them, and they believe they’re in the right place to make that happen.
“CVS Health’s commitment starts with us and continues with our clients. There’s flexibly, diversity, an excellent team environment—management cares and I have a voice,” Stacy says. “I love working here so much, I referred five other nurses from my former hospice team in addition to Kathleen and Melita.”
“There’s also potential for professional growth,” Melita adds.
“I wish more young people would consider nursing as a career,” Stacy interjects, adding with pride that both her daughter and son plan to join her profession.
Empathy: the hallmark of healing
If there’s something this trio asks us to keep in mind, it’s that nurses too are people. “We have families and deal with the same day-to-day things,” Kathleen reminds us.
In fact, in January Stacy underwent quadruple bypass heart surgery. Currently on dialysis because of kidney disease, she was approved for a new kidney and is seeking a donor.
“It’s been such a humbling experience; It’s made me a better nurse,” she softly shares. “You know, I’ve been able to make a difference in so many lives and my patients have made such a difference in my life.”
For National Nurses Month, and every month, we thank you Stacy, Kathleen and Melita, and all of our remarkable nurses, for bringing your hearts to help others.
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