As many of you are aware, COVID-19 cases are rising in the Midwest and as the winter months approach, the future looks grim. We at the MGA pride ourselves on connecting with MG patients on a personal level, meeting with them, talking with them, and building genuine relationships to ensure they are being supported and cared for. How can we accomplish this though when in-person interaction is so limited? In spite of having to completely shift our St. Louis clinic to telecommunication, we have adapted to these current circumstances relatively seamlessly. Below is a brief update on our St. Louis clinic:
This past September, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital opened their new, $550 million facility to the St. Louis community. The hospital is as magnificent as it looks. Encased entirely with glass windows, the building is open, airy, and provides a welcoming environment for patients, providers, and those that walk through the doors.
Prior to this development, the MG Clinic in St. Louis was set in one of the SLUCare Physician Group buildings, adjacent to the old hospital. Today, the neurology department is located in a brand-new building now called the Center for Specialized Medicine, a state-of-the-art space that keeps the patient experience at its center.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 has prevented me from seeing patients in the clinic. When this pandemic crept its way into our lives in March, the situation seemed temporary. Eight months later and we are still working in a virtual capacity.
Thankfully, we were in the process of making some of our own advances within our organization. Over the course of the year we have been able to integrate a sophisticated database and updated phone system into our daily routine. Our databank is efficient and user-friendly; this particular system facilitates the communication process and safeguards patient information. Our phone system is pretty innovative as well; the software has text messaging capabilities that has enhanced our ability to reach patients unlike ever before!
This is not what we had envisioned for our first clinic in St. Louis, but we are confident in delivering our mission and are optimistic that 2021 will be a fresh start. If you are in the St. Louis area and need assistance or support, please do not hesitate to reach out to me via phone or email. We will get through this together.
This blog post was written by Meridith O’Connor, St. Louis Program Coordinator of Myasthenia Gravis Association.
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