Anthem Blue Cross 2007 Annual Report Download - page 14

12 Customer First : : www.wellpoint.com/annualreport/2007
ROBIN CHEGINI :: Anthem nurse care
manager, North Haven, Connecticut
When Robin Chegini, R.N., an Anthem
nurse care manager, received the
assignment to work with Anthem member
Dustin Bingham (see story at right), she
immediately set to work assessing the
extent of his serious injuries. With 17 years
of experience as a nurse specializing in
neurological trauma and rehabilitation,
Robin knew she would need to consider
myriad factors to design a care
management plan.
“We look at many different pieces
of information,” Robin said. “Nurse care
managers often call the primary care
doctors to discuss the best plan of care
and how we might be able to help. It’s
really a team effort. There’s a lot that
goes on behind the scenes.”
Robin says she feels privileged to
come to work every day.
“As a nurse care manager, I’m getting
involved in someone’s life at a very critical
time and sharing challenges with them,”
Robin said. “It’s great when I can form
a trusting rapport, and help patients or
their loved ones understand that I’ll be
here every step of the way to help them
get the resources and care they need.”
DUSTIN BINGHAM :: Anthem member
Torrington, Connecticut
In December 2003, Dustin Bingham celebrated his graduation from a California university
with a ski trip.
After a few runs down the mountain, Dustin misjudged a jump and tumbled, suffering a
severe head injury in the fall. He was rushed to a small hospital nearby, and then airlifted
to a larger acute-care medical facility. There he was diagnosed with an intracranial
hemorrhage. The injury caused his brain to swell and left him in a coma.
Several days after he was admitted to the hospital, Robin Chegini, R.N., an Anthem
nurse care manager, called Dustin’s mother. Robin, like all Anthem nurse care managers,
is part of the Health Care Management program that helps members with complex needs.
“Brain injury rehabilitation can be very complex,” Robin said. “Having an intimate
rapport with the member and family, as well as the treating team, is crucial to achieving
the optimal outcome.”
When Dustin awoke in early January 2004, after 15 days in a coma, Robin coordinated
his transportation from the California hospital to a brain injury rehabilitation center in his
home state of Connecticut.
There, with the support of his family and Robin, Dustin began intensive occupational,
speech and physical therapy.
“Robin would remind me to keep my doctor’s appointments, and she knew when
to scold me,” Dustin said. “She pushed me to do more, reminding me that I would not
recover if I didn’t stay the course.”
After he had suf ciently recovered, Dustin opted to settle in California. He is currently
attending graduate school, pursuing a degree in business administration.
“I would not be where I am today without Robin,” Dustin said. “I feel like I am winning
at the game of life. Robin is a big part of that.”
Sharing the long journey to recovery