Paying it forward: Phyllis Stickney

On the first day of each new school year at George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science, Phyllis Stickney would stand before her students and write her name across the chalkboard. Then this longtime mathematics teacher and Philadelphia-area resident would chalk in her phone number.

The idea, she says, was to be the best teacher she could be. To be the person her students could rely on — not just to teach Algebra, Elementary Functions, Geometry, Calculus and Statistics at the highly regarded Philadelphia magnet school, but to be available should a question or an emergency arise. “I wanted to be the teacher I wanted my three children to have,” she says now, in the purple-hued living room of her Elkins Park home. “These kids came from all over Philadelphia. Their parents were hardworking. If something came up, I was there to help or listen.”

One can imagine Phyllis during her 22 years at Carver — her energy and charisma making mathematics fun, her compassion ever-present, her sly ingenuity (and grant-writing prowess) ensuring that, among other things, her students had access to the latest materials and calculators. She turned writing geometry proofs into a game and proudly posted the names of Honor Roll recipients on her hallway bulletin board.

For many years, Phyllis received her medical care from a physician in a well-regarded local practice. But when her physician retired, that practice began to be run more like a business, Phyllis says — a business in which no one ever answered the phone. No one ever seemed to respond to her email queries either, and the frustration, Phyllis says, grew. When, on January 8, 2020, Phyllis experienced a stroke that impaired her walking and strength, she got the care she needed at Jeanes Hospital and Moss Rehab, but she still didn’t have a primary care practice she felt she could rely on.

She was intrigued, therefore, when a letter arrived from Independence Blue Cross regarding primary care services from Patina. Investigating further, she liked what she heard. She wanted a practice that would take the time to understand her as an individual and to honor her values and goals. She wanted to feel seen and heard. When she met her dedicated care team, her appreciation for Patina intensified.

A care team that cares

There’s Michelle Lu, NP, her primary care practitioner, who gives, Phyllis says, incredibly good advice and looks out for her total health and well-being. “I was waking up feeling really stiff, even though I was doing all my stretching exercises,” she recounts. “Michelle encouraged me to stretch just before bed, and you know: she was right. That has helped. A lot. Michelle has answers to all my questions. She’s got a 100-percent track record.”

There’s also Luis Gonzalez, her Patina Health Champion, who solves any problems Phyllis might have. “He just takes care of things and makes my life easier. Let’s say the pharmacy has filled my prescription but given me the wrong number of pills,” she says. “I call Luis and the problem gets fixed. I know I can always rely on him; he’s wonderful.”

Finally, there’s Irene Yeboah-Ameah, RN, her Patina Nurse Champion, who comes to the house when needed to support Phyllis’ care plan in person. Irene sits with Phyllis at the kitchen table, takes her measures, assesses Phyllis’ needs and physical environment, asks questions. “When Irene visits, she makes sure I’m taking care of myself,” Phyllis says. “I appreciate that she takes the time to sit and talk, to understand what’s going on at a deeper level. And she’s always in touch with Michelle and Luis. This is such a different experience than I’ve had in the past. I feel like the whole team knows me and has my best interests at heart.”