She Helps Bring The Rose to Rural Texans

Dorothy: [00:00:00] Renee Parrott spent 20 years in health care. As a practice manager, she knew all the ins and outs of busy doctor’s offices, but the losses that she experienced during 2020 rocked the very foundation of her world. She needed a different path. Today, as a Community Engagement Navigator, Renee’s work is also her mission.

During this episode, you will learn how she brings mammogram services to different counties. She’s making access to care possible and she’s saving lives.

Let’s talk about your breast. A different kind of podcast presented to you by The Rose, the Breast Center of Excellence and a Texas treasure. You’re going to hear frank discussions about tough topics and you’re going to learn why knowing about your breast could save your life. Join us as we hear another story and we answer those tough questions that you may have.[00:01:00]

Renee: My name is Renee Parrott. I am the Community Engagement Navigator for the Southeast Texas Counties for the Rose.

Dorothy: So Renee, what does that mean to be a community engagement navigator?

Renee: Well, it’s my focus to go visit all of the counties that I’m assigned. I have 10 counties from Chambers County all the way up to Sabine County.

Um, I make my presence known with clinics and food pantries and churches and, coalitions, um, and just let them know about the rows and what our services are, that we can provide to their patients, to their congregation, um, to, you know, anyone who is, who’s uninsured. A lot of people are not really familiar with the Rose, surprisingly.

And so I provide that information to them [00:02:00] and let them know how we can put a connection between their community and the Rose.

Dorothy: And so this is primarily so that you can set up a mobile mammography day with them. Is that the ultimate purpose or is it just to make sure they know all the different services?

Renee: Well, to know all of the different services, of course, but the goal is to bring the mobile mammography there because there are There are actually many places that do not have the ability to, to perform mammographies. So bringing the mobile coach is, um, is the goal, is the goal.

Dorothy: Yeah. Well, that’s so important because I think about half of your counties don’t even have a mammography center or a major hospital or anywhere the woman can go.

Renee: That is right. Um, many. Physicians that I have come to create these friendships with, they actually refer their patients more [00:03:00] than 40 miles and many of those patients, they don’t have transportation. There’s no way to get that far. So they just don’t have their mammogram done, and it’s difficult. Those are one of the struggles for the physicians in these rural counties to keep up with their patient’s health.

And, you know, those physicians, their faces light up when they say, I’m going to bring the mobile coach to you and you will be that tool that will be used to get this service out to their, to your patients, to your community. And that, that right there, that just, just clenches the gap.

Dorothy: Renee, when you go into any community, you, first of all, you live in that area.

Right. So you know, some of these places and you were in, I love the names of practice [00:04:00] manager for a clinic, for a hospital, for what?

Renee: So I was a practice manager for Greater Houston Physicians and that was for about 15 years. Then the owner decided To allow Baylor to acquire our company. And so, um, that has been my, um, medical experience for over 20 years.

Dorothy: So what does that mean exactly? You’re, you’re in the office, you’re handling.

Renee: Oh my. I am the captain of the ship. Okay. If I, um, my responsibility is first to make sure we have the best care for our patients. So patient experience is, is very, very important. Um, I manage the schedules for patients, um, the physician’s schedules and making sure that.

All of [00:05:00] the activity that happens in front in the lobby is, you know, is happy and that they’re getting their needs met. So that’s what I handled.

Dorothy: So you brought that experience into this position. Mm hmm. Uh, and that was. At a very special time in your life that, that the rose picked you and what had been going on with you then?

Renee: So it was 2020 and things in our world as we knew it were changing. I was, um, laid off with, About 20 other practice managers. Um, I did not know what direction I was going and I just, I was in a confusion state and I found my way through. I just don’t really know how it came about, but, um, as [00:06:00] COVID continued, um, my mother and sister.

They passed. Uh, it was, it was difficult. Um, this was all part of my path. And then at the end of that path was the rose. I didn’t realize that it was going to be a, the happiest part of my life. And I say that even though, um, and I’m so sorry for the tears, but no

Dorothy: problem. Now, wait a minute. Let’s just go back a minute.

Cause I think you kind of went over that both your mother and sister, did they have both have COVID?

Renee: They both had COVID

Dorothy: and, and didn’t make it

Renee: and they didn’t make it.

Dorothy: So it had to be especially a hard time for you here. You are a healthcare professional knowing all the dangers and everything that could go along with that.

Renee: [00:07:00] Yes, um, it, it was so frustrating as I know that I’m not alone in that, um, my sister who was, um, 45, she was down syndrome, um, she had never been a day, um, without her family or they could touch her. So yeah. Yeah. And being in that environment was, um, it was very stressful for our family. She passed. Um, and then my mother, they were actually at two different hospitals.

Dorothy: Oh my gosh.

Renee: So one was in Baytown, um, and the other was in Kingwood. And so if you could just imagine, um, our whole family at that time had COVID. So we were. in our cars, sitting in the parking lots, um, praying, um, whatever we could to make [00:08:00] ourselves feel of some use. And so, of course, that was a very difficult time when you feel that you You have no, um, you have no way of helping them.

And then a week later, my mother passed from COVID. So, um, so I know that it’s not breast cancer, but when you have a tragedy that impacts your life, you want to do something about it. And when I got my opportunity at the Rose, I thought this is a very different job. And then when I was given the details of what I would be doing, you want me to go into the community and give them something?

At no cost that will benefit their life Yes, i’m in Yes, I will do that. [00:09:00] Um, because you know, my mother and sister were very um They were workers in the community And I always thought That is what I need to do and it’s to me it’s easy to work in a commercial environment As a practice manager, but when you work in a non profit organization, um, you really see the difference and you see the impact that it makes on your community.

Um, and that’s, uh, that has been my happy little silver lining in my life right now.

Dorothy: Just to kind of put this all in context. What you’re trying to do is to inform the community about the opportunity to have a mammogram on the mobile mammography coaches. Oh, yes. And your [00:10:00] job involves scheduling the coach at certain facilities, but you can’t do this without that facility being a good partner.

Mm hmm. How does that work? You know, you said you just go into a place, but do you just go in and say, I’m here?

Renee: Oh yeah. No, it is a little bit of work. There is some elbow grease that goes into this. So I will tell you making your relationship with first, the facilitator, just getting in the door. Is, um, it’s a little bit of a struggle.

You have to be strategic. You have to provide the, uh, all of the information, um, what we have to offer, um, getting that facilitator to engage with their patients and get them to schedule an appointment and then, Of course, on the other side is we’re communicating with our mobile coordinator here at the Rose and it takes a team of people.

It’s not just come in, all [00:11:00] right, we’re showing up. It is, you know, getting the patient to provide information that’s sensitive. Um, it’s getting them to show up. And that is sometimes, it’s sometimes almost a tragedy because they’re missing that opportunity because we are, um, we are walking them through the process of getting there.

The facilitator at that clinic or church or food pantry is, is doing their part. The mobile coordinator, the, all of the team is doing a very important part just to get That one day to happen, so,

Dorothy: and, and like you said, it is a tragedy, but we also know that when you don’t have the money, you don’t have the transportation and you have all these other things that are pressing down on you.

Sometimes, uh, you just can’t get there. I think it’s so interesting that we have almost as many no [00:12:00] shows, which is when a person doesn’t show up for an appointment, within our insured population as we do our uninsured. And to me, what that says is this is about being a woman, having more than we can handle on our plates, and then deciding to put ourselves last.

Renee: Right.

Dorothy: So a lot of your job is convincing. The women in your community that you are important and you have value and you need to get your mammogram done.

Renee: Yes, I, I can’t tell you how many patients that I, I have called, um, just to reassure them of, of the benefit that they can acquire from our mammogram.

You know, a lot of women are scared and, and I can’t tell you how many. women that I’ve spoken to that have said, I’ve never had a mammogram. And I listened to [00:13:00] their story and I’m very patiently, um, waiting for them to get to the realization that, Oh, I do need it. And so that when those relationships are created, when I’m calling these patients and they don’t show up, I don’t give up.

So I will call them, I will listen to them, and you know, they’re scared, and I find another mobile day to get them to come in. What was the problem? Normally it’s transportation, they’re so rural that they don’t have gas money, they’ve had to pay for maybe food, or rent, or there’s Whatever their reason is, there, there’s a reason they have not come.

It’s, it is a tragedy, but.

Dorothy: But that’s also why one of your places to [00:14:00] really share this information is the food banks. Because we are, we are talking about uninsured people who are very, very close when it comes to funds and, and having money. And maybe work is, they’re working or they’re not working part time or whatever.

So it’s really, really tough. Now, how do, how is it that you’re able to offer a free mammogram?

Renee: Well, I will tell you that the grant that I, uh, that allows me to offer these amazing things is CPRIT and it

Dorothy: Now tell us what CPRIT means because sometimes when we say it, It sounds like we’re saying secret, like we have a secret grant here, you know, we’re not going to tell

Renee: anybody.

So it is the Cancer Prevention and Research, they are an organization that awards, um, organizations, clinics, etc. with a grant that, and it’s not just breast cancers, [00:15:00] many different cancers and they provide that grant to the Rose that pays for, you know, our employees, our gas, our actual. mammography testing or films, things like that.

And so that has been a blessing to us to be able to, because physicians do ask that when I come, they say, how are you able to provide All of these services at no cost to my, my patients, because I don’t want it to go away. They need it every year. I pretty much have to sell it to the provider and to let them know.

Where this is coming from and it does require a lot just to get them to, um, understand and accept us and continue to our partnership.

Dorothy: Well and [00:16:00] it’s a matter of trust. You have to build that trust with your partners and Uh, I think that was an important point you made. We need to do this every year. And so you showing up again and again, making sure that, you know, we’re not going away.

We were there to stay. We were part of the community. I think that’s, that’s one of the best. Parts of our community engagement navigators that that they really are able to facilitate that kind of relationship You can’t you can’t do that from Houston You can’t do that living in another area because you’re not familiar with the community.

You just don’t know.

Renee: Yeah, it’s very vital that We as community engagement navigators just drench yourself with knowledge in each County and each county is definitely different

Um, I [00:17:00] just brought a new partner, a new mobile partner to the Rose from Sabine County, and that is my farthest county. And as I drive there, I think if I was a patient that lived there and I had to drive to the nearest place, I mean, that it’s, it’s pretty rural, it’s really rural. So, um, that has been an exciting addition to my mobile partners and meeting with the, the hospital representatives.

They were very engaged in knowing that CPRIT is one of our grants that allows us to keep coming because they’re a county hospital. So they’re familiar with what, what the county can offer them. They, they depend on those things. So coming [00:18:00] year after year. It’s, it’s important to them.

Dorothy: So you’re truly a community partner.

Renee: Mm hmm.

Dorothy: You’re not there to take anything or, no, you’re there to give.

Renee: No.

Dorothy: And, and I You know, in the world that we’re in right now, that’s a very unusual, uh, proposition. You know, I don’t want anything. I just want to be able to take care of your patients.

Renee: Yes. And that, when they hear that, um, the physician or the nurse practitioner or the COO, when they hear, okay, you’re not here to sell me something, and they hear, You are going to give this to our patients.

It’s, this is great. Let’s. Let’s be friends and so, and

Dorothy: that is, uh, you know, I, we can’t stress that enough. We need those partners. Yeah. And we know it’s a lot of work on them too, because they have to find the patients, help us remind them, help identify who is, you know, who is, uh, [00:19:00] eligible for a mammogram, how, you know.

I’m always curious, what happens when someone has a lump in their breast and really can’t have that mammogram on the, on the mobile?

Renee: You know, that is always the second or third question that I get from the doctor. Um, what happens? And so we tell them, we don’t stop there, okay? The service is not complete after that mobile day when the results come in.

And there may be some sad news, it’s, um, it’s encouraging to know that they can come to one of our locations and normally that facilitator or that partner will say, I don’t think my patient can. They don’t have gas for that and our grant allows us to [00:20:00] assist those women so that they don’t feel like, well, this is it for me.

So those services we, we still provide and I, I shout those out to the providers and let them know, no, we do more.

Dorothy: Right. And even if they find someone. Who already has a lump. They can still come to the Rose

Renee: yes. Yes. And that, that is, uh, they do keep our brochures and, and know that they can tell their patient, listen, I want a top notch service.

I want, um, you know, I want my patient to get the whole package. So I’m going to you.

Dorothy: It’s comprehensive,

Renee: right.

Dorothy: We’re not going to leave him with just a screening mammogram. We’re going to do whatever it takes. And many times, and I know you’ve seen this happen, We try to do everything in one day because we know that’s been a three hour trip for that woman or whatever and we don’t want her to have to come back again.

Renee: Yes, [00:21:00] yes. And that is, um, that’s a big relief for that provider knowing that we can. And they don’t have to offer the entire package to their patient and they don’t have to continue coming back and forth. That’s very stressful. Oh yeah. So stressful for a woman, um, who may be a mother, um, or maybe a widow and then they don’t have the means to get back and forth.

Just to know I can get everything done at the Rose all in a day. And that takes coordination on our part.

Dorothy: Oh yeah.

Renee: So I hear the… Comments back from those patients that have been so grateful to know that they can come to the Rose for all of those things and, and not, and not have it as a secret to them. I wonder what’s going on with my breast Health.

Dorothy: Right. So, yeah. I’m, I’m going to put you on the spot. Do you, do you have a favorite County?

Renee: Oh. Gosh, [00:22:00] this is like having children.

Dorothy: Well, if you don’t, you don’t, but I just was curious.

Renee: I don’t have a county, but, um, I live in Liberty County. And I have a brand new partner and I really enjoy this clinic. This is one of my spit fire little groups.

They are small. They, um, we have our mobile mammogram day finally tomorrow, and that is so special for them thinking about. This is in October. We get to do this where it is breast cancer awareness month. So they’re, they’re really excited. Um, it is their first time and they are, when I say small, they, I think there’s maybe four employees, including the, uh, the, um, provider.

And, um, it’s going to be amazing. They’re [00:23:00] so, so excited. Uh, they literally are half a mile from my home. So I stop in quite frequently, tell them about all of the new things happening with the rows. So they might not be my super favorite, but right now I’m pretty excited for them and the opportunity that they’re giving to the County that I live in.

Dorothy: Well, I think, I think that is. Uh, a great story and they’re gonna make the day special.

Renee: Mm-Hmm.

Dorothy: along with you.

Renee: Yes.

Dorothy: So that it’s really a celebration, not something of drudgery or I have to go do this.

Renee: Oh,

Dorothy: no, I’ve seen some of your clinics. They, they come all, they just go all out to make it it special.

Renee: They do.

Dorothy: Yes,

Renee: they do. It’s, it’s always a success. Um, you know, I, this is a little secret. It won’t be a secret anymore after this, but. Um, I try to go to all of my mobile days and I try to get there before the mobile coach comes. And as soon [00:24:00] as I see the tires hit the pavement, I get so excited because I think, yes!

We did it. We did it. And I, and, and I give a little pat to myself and then I go and you know, I go and meet my facilitator. I give them a hug, get them really excited and Um, you know, it doesn’t matter. Um, I wish we could reach a lot more, but if we don’t, um, get everyone to come, it’s still a success. I know.

Absolutely.

Dorothy: Yeah. Well, whoever we saw that day is definitely who we needed to see that. Yes. So is that why they call you the Mamo Queen around here? Do they call me the Mamo Queen? Well, we, we, I heard about your Tiara and your, you know, yes. Because you really have such fun when you get a new client or when you have a successful day.

Renee: Yes, [00:25:00] so I do. I will say that, um, I challenged myself and the challenge continues. There are so many counties that, um, I felt like we need another partner. And so, one of my partners that I just took on it was Sabine County. And I felt like royalty, a rock star. I am going to bring the Rose to you. I felt… Um, very empowered, just bringing that information there and that energy probably translates, um, every time that I visit, you know, are we ready?

Oh, I got another person and they’re so, the, the provider and the facilitator, they’re excited. They’re like, Hey, we got another person. We got three more people, you know. Keeping the motivation going, [00:26:00] that is patient retainment. That is… Success for that woman, because as a woman, we put ourselves last and so bringing on all of these people, um, and these, this new partner, it’s really, um, it’s made me feel like, uh, Empress Renee.

So, so yes, I got a little tiara and I do the little dance at home and put it on.

Dorothy: I certainly hope you don’t take that out into the community. Oh my gosh. I can see that now. Well, maybe you do. All right. We don’t need to know that part. Renee, what is, what is a successful day? Is it 20 women that you have to have scheduled or 17 or I know you’d hope to get 25.

Renee: You know, I. So, I always hope for 25, 27 patients, but a success is [00:27:00] us just seeing whoever shows up.

Dorothy: That’s true. That is true.

Renee: Yeah. Because, um, that’s means that we’ve touched one life, we’ve touched seven lives and And those women go and tell their neighbors, their friends, their family. And that’s always my message to them.

When I see them and I hug them and I tell them, I’m so happy for you. And they always have a story and they’re always so appreciative. And I, um. I tell them just come back next year, just bring one more person and I can’t tell you I’ve not experienced a single woman say, I’m not coming back. Wow. I’ve not experienced that.

And [00:28:00] so that’s successful to me.

Dorothy: Absolutely. So how would someone find out about you? How would they be able to schedule a mobile day?

Renee: So, we do have a great online and I normally tell partners, you can go online and you can schedule online. It’s very easy. I have a little printout that I even tell them, here are the ways that you can reach us.

The Rose has a website. You can schedule there. You can call us. Um, I provide my brochures and my business cards, but it makes it so easy when you just tell them, you know, you can go online and schedule. It’s that easy.

Dorothy: So Renee, if you could change one thing for women in your counties, what would it be?

Renee: Probably for there to be more mobile coaches.[00:29:00]

There’s just not enough days that we can come to every person because their schedules always conflict. There’s always a reason they can’t make it. If I could make every woman understand, and that is my job. That how important this is, I would just take out my magic wand and give them all of that knowledge.

So. I think that’s what I would change.

Dorothy: We just need more access. Yeah. More access to all kinds of health care for

Renee: women. Yes. Yeah, absolutely, absolutely.

Dorothy: Well, I’m so happy that you’re doing your part in making sure that women in 10 different counties, is that what you told us?

Renee: 10 counties.

Dorothy: 10, who might not have that service in that county or even near them.

Right. That you’re bringing that to them and you’re making sure that women are taking care of themselves.

Renee: [00:30:00] Oh, yeah. Absolutely. Well, I’ll just keep getting out there and hitting the pavement and continue on with my little rock star attitude.

Dorothy: And we want you to. Thank you so much for being with us today.

Renee: Oh, thank you.

It’s been a true honor.

Dorothy: Oh, it’s pleasure is all ours. Thanks, Renee.

Renee: Thank you.

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