As telehealth use continues to grow nationwide, one NTCA member is showcasing – and experiencing – the benefits of the technology every day.
Julie Bergman, senior business development specialist at Rainbow Communications (Everest, Kan.), knows firsthand how important telehealth and telehealth advocacy can be for community members. Her godmother, Cindy, was diagnosed with Raynaud disease, Scleroderma and Pulmonary Hypertension.
Typical visits for Cindy’s conditions take her to the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) in Kansas City, Kan., a two-and-a-half-hour drive from her hometown of Seneca, Kan. Telehealth visits have alleviated stress from her husband and family taking time off work to commute to and from doctor appointments. Cindy now has weekly blood work done at the local hospital and the results are sent to KUMC. She can then speak with her doctors via video calls to review those test results and discuss her overall health. Telehealth has been a game changer in many people’s lives and Cindy’s is the prime example.
“To me, [with telehealth], you feel like the doctor has more time to talk to you one-on-one instead of them worrying about their other patients they need to see,” Cindy said. “Even if you don’t feel like making the two-hour trip, you can ask them all the questions from the comfort of your home.”
Rainbow Communications provides Cindy with fast and reliable internet that lets her make telehealth appointments at home while still spending more time with her family. More family time has helped Cindy to focus on setting a small “bucket list,” Julie said. Included on her bucket list is seeing the Christmas lights at Union Station, attending a gala and, most importantly, savoring memories with her family.