Patient Story: Karen

“I want to plan an active part in my health care.”

Karen feels strongly that good health and wellnessare achieved through self-awareness and “lots of little things we do for ourselves.” Her health care Clinicians at CHP recognize that too, and help makethat possible, said Karen.

“I am thrilled with my primary care Clinician – Dr. Lara Setti is an amazing doctor – and nutritionist Eric Pacheco is excellent,” said Karen.

For the past 20 years, Karen has lived with a pre-diabetic diagnosis, and she has worked with different health care Clinicians to manage hercondition with diet and exercise, with varying results.

But Erin Pacheco, she said, has been very, very helpful –very concrete with explanations about nutrition.

“And that works for me, since I want to play an active part in my healthcare,”Karen said.

At times Karen has had some issues with her foot and knee, and the CHP physical therapy team has been excellent, she said.

While living previously in the Boston area and managing her pre-diabetic condition, Karen encountered health care Clinicians who just lookedat test result numbers in a rather impersonal manner. Their recommendations were at times equally impersonal, she recalled.

“But Dr. Setti told me, ‘you’re not a number. We look at everything.’ It was a very different approach,” she said.

Karen receives her health coverage through Medicare, along with additional coverage from Blue Cross Blue Shield to cover what Medicare doesn’t. She also has a prescription drug plan.