Community Benefit Report published online
The last few years have been tough for Susan Kittrell of York. Three years ago after having a routine tuberculosis test, providers noticed an abnormal reading and recommended a chest x-ray. The test showed a serious health risk: a thoracic aortic aneurysm.
Kittrell had open bypass surgery to repair the aneurysm, but it wasn’t long after the initial surgery that she felt a burning in her spine that led her back to the hospital and into surgery for another aneurysm. This time, she required open heart surgery.
Then physicians saw something suspicious on a chest x-ray that ended up being another aortic aneurysm. Unfortunately, this aneurysm burst during surgery and physicians had to replace part of her aorta.
Kittrell’s health challenges over the past few years have made it impossible for her to return to her job at Dentsply. As a result, she lost her health insurance, which made it difficult for her to afford the critical care that she needed. Fortunately, Healthy York Network (HYN) was there.
“If it wasn’t for HYN, I don’t know where I would be,” said Kittrell. “After I lost my health coverage, I couldn’t afford the medicines that I needed to take, let alone the surgeries that were necessary to fix the aneurysms. Thankfully, the folks at York Hospital realized my challenges and connected me with HYN.
“I have been blessed with the best of care,” she added. “I thank God everyday for WellSpan Health and HYN. They have helped me during a difficult time and I can’t express my gratitude enough.”
More personal stories
This is one of just several personal stories you’ll find on a new website that showcases WellSpan Health's community benefit activities at www.wellspancommunity.org.
By going to the website, you can read how breast cancer patient Rita Allison enrolled in a clinical trial at the York Cancer Center and how a Gettysburg physician helped change Susan Williams’ approach to managing her diabetes and thus her life.
You’ll also learn about initiatives WellSpan supports for community health, the uninsured, learning, and caring for all. The Community Benefit website includes information about the role WellSpan plays in improving car seat safety; WellSpan’s partnership with the York County Children’s Advocacy Program and the $100 million of care WellSpan provided to the uninsured and the underinsured in 2011.
"The people of WellSpan Health share a sense of responsibility to the good health and well-being of our neighbors and each of us works very hard to ensure it," said Rick Ayers, director of public relations and communications.
"This new online resource will provide up-to-date information and highlight personal stories about the difference that our efforts make in the life of our communities."