Sally Ortega, Lead Clinician at our Mission Bay health center, recently spoke at a San Diego NOW meeting (National Organization for Women) on Navigating Physical & Mental Health in the Time of COVID.
Sally is so many things: She’s a Lead Clinician. She’s a combat veteran and former squad leader who did 3 tours of duty in Iraq. And she’s the mother of a 2-year-old daughter.
A Pandemic Pivot
Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest never closed its doors during this pandemic. Our organization transitioned: There were processes and workflow changes, and a lot of moving pieces.
“We shifted logistically,” Sally said. “Services have shifted; some services became more urgent than others. Wellness and breast exams became less urgent, but abortion services never stopped. All services have now continued.”
Sally discussed philosophical changes in the organization as well.
“One of the biggest shifts is in discussions about equity, diversity, and inclusion,” she said. “I see that shift and I’m happy to be part of it. It’s very evident that people want to be a part of the conversation.”
Patients Left Behind
A clinician would formerly see 20-25 patients per day, and now will see 12-16 per day during the pandemic. Many of these patients are in great need.
“We’re seeing the people left behind by their providers. They’re afraid to go into the emergency rooms. We’ve seen a lot of patients who’ve lost their insurance, and we’re getting them enrolled in Medi-Cal or FamilyPACT [a program that provides family planning services for free to those who qualify].”
Forty percent of our patients receive their only health care through Planned Parenthood.
Clinicians are also seeing a lot more people with private insurance, where their procedures aren’t being covered.
“We’re seeing a lot of pelvic pain, irregular bleeding, chronic conditions. They’ve seen their provider, but the provider isn’t telling them why their condition might be happening. Under Dr. Marengo’s [our Chief Medical Officer] leadership, we’re seeing more complex cases, many with private insurance.”
Patients who have fallen through the cracks with their own providers are very grateful for our services.
“Patients are telling me, ‘I never thought I’d be in a Planned Parenthood; I have insurance. Thank you for being here.’ And now that they know Planned Parenthood was here for them, they can advocate for us,” Sally said.
A Surge in Intimate Partner Violence
During the pandemic, clinicians have seen a massive, troubling increase in patients who are experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV).
Out of the hundreds of patients that are referred to our Care Coordination program, 37 percent are identifying IPV.
(The Care Coordination program is a 3-person team led by Tessa Hemmi, Care Coordination Program Manager. The team refers patients to social services and provides a continuity of care. Formerly, they’d helped 100 people per week, and are now helping approximately 200 per week.)
“We’re one of a very few providers who asks patients what their level of safety is, and how they’re doing at home. We’re seeing more sexual assault and child abuse as well as IPV. They come to us for physical, emotional, and spiritual support.”
A Clinician’s Empathy
Sally has an open-minded, watchful stance on how to gauge the emotional states of her patients.
“Not every patient is going to present the same way,” Sally said. “You have to read the room. You’re not a savior. The goal is to provide a trustworthy environment. And if they need help, we’re there for them.”
The patients respond to the openness and active listening of our clinicians.
“Patients say, ‘They ask me questions no one else has asked me, that’s why I wanted to talk about it.’”
Sally is tremendously fulfilled by what she does every day.
“The job not only puts a roof over my head but gives me soul.”
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