Health Promotion Advocate

Patients entering Athol Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department have an opportunity to meet with Health Promotion Advocate, Patrick Schilling, BS to discuss lifestyle issues which impact their health and safety.  Schilling is part of Project ASSERT, an acronym for improving Alcohol Screening and Substance Abuse Education and Referral to Treatment, which began at Boston Medical Center in 1994.  The purpose of the program is to help identify factors that put them at greater risk for illness and injuries, such as tobacco, alcohol or drug use.
Schilling conducts bedside screenings with patients in the Emergency Department while they are waiting for test results or discharge instructions.    The interviews provide a safe, confidential, non-confrontational place for patients to voice concerns.  Schilling uses a positive, motivational client-based approach, with focus on the patient taking control, making choices, and taking preventive health measures.
His role as Health Promotion Advocate includes facilitating referrals to primary care, mental health, and substance abuse treatment services upon patient request.  An integral part of the program includes follow-up after the Emergency Room visit, and Schilling reports favorable early results since starting in April.  “I put the patient’s interest first,” states Schilling.  “I am interested in helping people make positive changes, one small step at a time.”        
Financial support for the program, a $270,000 grant from Boston Medical Center, is the result of a collaborative effort of Athol Memorial and Heywood Hospitals to address substance abuse issues in the Athol-Gardner area.  The two hospitals, in partnership, completed their initial training at Boston Medical Center, and share in the program funding, implementation, and management.  Each hospital has hired a Health Promotion Advocate and has its own implementation team.  Athol Memorial Hospital’s team consists of John Skrzypczak, MD, Director of Emergency Medicine; John Thayer, RN, BS, Nurse Manager of Emergency Services; Bonnie-Frank-Hume, LICSW, Social Services Manager; Sandra King, BSN, Emergency Services Coordinator; in addition to Patrick Schilling.