Meet Brooke Randall, RN, a Nurse Champion at Patina, who meets our Charlotte, NC-area patients in their homes – building meaningful connections, assessing their needs and collaborating with them and other Patina care team members to help achieve their health goals.
Originally from the Midwest before settling in Fort Mill, SC, with her family, Brooke has a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from North Central College in Illinois and a nursing degree from Kalamazoo Valley Community College in Michigan. She has deep experience in home-based care and was previously a nurse case manager who supported an array of patients and their diverse medical and well-being needs. Earlier in her career, Brooke was a licensed athletic trainer and massage therapist.
We asked Brooke a few questions about her role as a Nurse Champion, what she enjoys most about supporting patients, and more.
Q: Tell us a bit about yourself. What do you like to do in your spare time? Why did you become a nurse?
I am married and have three children who are now in college and high school. I’m originally from the Chicago area and spent 20 years in Michigan before relocating to the Charlotte area – I do not miss the cold and love the weather in the Carolinas! In my spare time, I challenge myself to go for long walks daily and enjoy swimming at the YMCA several times a week. Weekends are filled with cheering at my daughters’ soccer games and cheer competitions.
Aside from family, I love animals and have a heart for rescue – my family has rescued and adopted three cats! In my past careers, I worked as a licensed athletic trainer and massage therapist. While working as a massage therapist in hospice, I was so moved by the impact nurses have in the field of hospice and palliative care that I decided to go back to school to pursue a nursing degree.
Q: What were you doing before you joined Patina?
I worked for Via Health Partners as an RN case manager for hospice. Prior to moving to the Charlotte area five years ago, I worked in hospitals in the medical/surgical and neurology departments and as a hospice nurse.
Q: What drew you to Patina?
Working in hospice can be emotionally challenging, especially when personally grieving your own loss of a loved one. When I learned that Patina was launching in the Charlotte region, I was excited for a new opportunity to work with adults 65 and older. I love that I get to serve patients and their loved ones in the comfort of their own home. I enjoy building relationships with my patients through providing care, education, and a listening ear. The best part is the opportunity to provide care in a way that’s very convenient for patients.
Q: What is the value of seeing patients at home / in their home environment?
Making visits in the home is so beneficial to the patient and their care team. It’s a familiar environment that allows the patient to feel comfortable. I am able to sit down and spend time talking and not feel rushed. We can review the medications the patient is taking and discuss any questions or concerns. And I can take a look at the in-home environment and make recommendations to improve safety – anything from grab bars in the bathroom, to removal of throw rugs, or relocating items to make moving around the house easier while limiting the risk of falls. It’s a great way to build connections with patients while assessing their needs and working toward long-term goals – a win-win for everyone!
That said, providing care in patients’ homes isn’t just for people with mobility or transportation challenges. The majority of our patients live active lifestyles that often take them out of the house and even far from home when vacationing. They appreciate not having to spend time driving back and forth to the doctor’s office, waiting to be seen in an environment where others might be sick or contagious. For them, having Patina come to their home truly is a level of convenience!
Q: How do you work with your patients at Patina?
I mainly see patients in their home for nursing visits. We discuss any concerns or goals, perform a head to toe assessment, capture vital signs, and review medications. Sometimes, the patient’s Patina primary care practitioner (PCP) will join us virtually for the second half of the visit. During those visits, we can connect using my tablet and listen together to the patient’s heart and lungs, discuss symptoms and care plans, and make decisions. Pretty much everything that can be done at the doctor’s office can be done right in the patient’s kitchen or living room!
Q: How do you work with patients’ family members who want to stay in the loop and be involved with their loved ones' care?
Communication is so important for patients who have caregivers or loved ones that want to be involved – and Patina makes it so easy for them to join the visit in-person or virtually. This can either be scheduled ahead of time, or I am always happy to make a phone call to give an update about my visit and share any information that the PCP wants to share. It’s all about ensuring the health and well-being of the patient, and I’m here to help.
Q: What is most rewarding about working at Patina?
I really enjoy building relationships with my patients and working with them to structure our visits in a way that meets their unique healthcare needs and goals. One thing I’ve loved is the opportunity to really connect with my patients. I’m not a Charlotte native myself, so I always ask where they have lived over the years. It’s always a happy surprise when we find something in common. And, I’m able to stay connected with patients over time in a way that’s usually not possible in a traditional office or facility setting, which is really rewarding!
I also work with a great team, locally in Charlotte and back at our home office in Philadelphia, that is very supportive of each other.