February is heart health month and we have been educating and spreading awareness about heart disease. According to The Heart Foundation and American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death of both men and women in the United States. Our goal is to encourage our team and community to make heart healthy choices and have regular check-ups with their physicians.
This year Heart Health month began with our team coming together to wear red on National Wear Red day. We had the opportunity to share who we wear red for. You can watch the video here. We are closing out this month celebrating our very own “heart” nurse and her connection to Heart Health month.
Christy Villalobos, BSN-RN has been with BrightStar Care for over 4 years and serves our patients as a Case Manager. We sat down with Christy to learn more about her connection to Heart Month.
How do you serve the patients here at BrightStar Care Lubbock?
"I am a Case Manager and intake nurse. I help new patients get acclimated to our services and team members. I also evaluate patient care plans and act as a liaison between patients, their families and healthcare providers."
I understand that you have a special connection to heart month. What is that?
"I was with the ICU at Lubbock Heart Hospital for over 5 years and I worked in cardiovascular surgery recovery. Through that experience I fell in love with all things heart related."
What did you enjoy about working in that role?
"I loved supporting patients recovering from cardiovascular surgeries. I was privileged to see them get stronger and stronger and enjoyed being a small part of their journey. I learned best practices for post-operation support and being a patient advocate. I also enjoyed the heart itself and how some of the complex procedures or lifestyle changes make an impact on the lives of patients and their families."
Why did you join BrightStar Care Lubbock?
"I was looking for new environments to use my skills and knowledge in. I wanted to help patients continue their healing outside of a hospital and in a home environment. I also wanted more variety to gain new skills but still apply what I learned. The flexibility that home health offers was also an advantage with my daughter starting school."
How have you been able to use your cardio experience at BrightStar Care Lubbock?
"I still get to see many heart patients who need additional care after being released from the hospital. I support patients in their recovery by educating them and their loved ones on home care through BrightStar Care Lubbock. I also have a better understanding of what they are going through because of my experience with the heart hospital."
We are thrilled to have Christy on our team. She brings a new perspective in supporting our patients and a resource for team members.
Learn more about our services.