2015 Health Care Champions Long-term Care Provider: Kim Sisk

Kim Sisk oversees a critical piece of health care for a population that can get lost in rules and regulations.

“My program comprises primarily Medicaid recipients, individuals who often have to fight to receive assistance, navigating through a difficult and extensive process to become eligible in the first place,” says Sisk, executive director for Oxford HealthCare’s in-home and consumer-directed services. “These are individuals who are compromised in terms of health and may need only a few hours (of help) to stay in their own homes, continuing to have their memories, families and pets surround them.”

Sisk works with over 750 aides and nurses who assist more than 2,200 clients throughout 42 counties in Missouri to provide a cost-effective alternative for their scope of health care needs. Sisk works toward allowing individuals to receive care in their preferred setting: the home.

“Often, when we think of long-term care, we consider nursing homes and residential care facilities, but when services can be provided in the comfort of home, allowing minimal supportive services as a choice to ensure an individual’s quality of life continues in a preferred setting at lower costs, we are able to provide long-term services,” she says. “We have had the privilege of providing care to many of our clients for more than 30 years.”

In addition to reducing costs, Sisk’s program is the eyes and ears of medical professionals outside of the hospital setting and offers daily interaction to patients with chronic diseases while helping with compliance and reducing the risk of hospitalization.

“As the director of the program, I feel privileged and excited to have an opportunity and responsibility to be a critical piece of the health care initiative in the Ozarks,” Sisk says. “I have an opportunity and obligation to ensure each employee, as well as health care and various community members, fully understand how we can be and are a vital part of the health care system.”

After six years of working with Sisk, Cynthia Glenn knows the challenges she faces.

“Kim and her staff encounter indescribably difficult situations on a daily basis taking care of the low-income elderly and disabled in their homes,” says Glenn, chief operating officer for Oxford HealthCare. “Kim has great compassion and cares deeply about her clients and employees.

She works hard to assure that their needs are met and that we provide the highest quality services in the most cost-effective manner. She treats people right and is a woman of tremendous character.”

Day to day, Sisk enjoys leading a talented team and working with patients who need assistance. On a broader scale, she wants to tackle the health care challenges of cost, accessibility and quality.

 “These goals require innovation, creativity, resolve and a desire to change,” Sisk says.

“It will take all of us talking, educating and giving 100 percent to make a difference for the future of health care. I want to be a part of that change.”