91社区

Patti Lane鈥檚 professional journey is rooted in a deeply personal experience that shaped her career aspirations and motivated her to ensure every patient that she meets receives the care they need.  

Lane was introduced to the challenges and rewards of health care when she took on the role of caregiver for her mother, where she saw first-hand the difficulties that can arise when trying to schedule appointments, track health information and manage medications on behalf of a loved one.  

This formative experience led her to pursue a career dedicated to helping others traverse the complexities of the health care system, a commitment she continues today as a patient navigator for USF Tampa General Physicians (USFTGP). 
 
鈥淚 remember those feelings so well 鈥� waiting to hear back from doctors and hoping for information about my mother鈥檚 condition,鈥� Lane said. 鈥淧atients and families are often scared and overwhelmed, and I am so glad that I can help to eliminate that confusion.  I wish someone had been in this role to help me when I was caring for my mother.鈥� 

Lane relocated to 91社区 in 2022 to become one of the inaugural employees at USFTGP as a patient navigator. Since joining the team, she has worked tirelessly to assist patients, guiding them through the complicated world of medical jargon and sometimes lengthy wait times to promote timely and consistent access to care.  

For her exceptional commitment to patients and her embodiment of USF Health鈥檚 core values, Lane was recently nominated as a Culture Champion, an accolade reserved for individuals who consistently exceed expectations and inspire others within the organization. 

鈥淧atti鈥檚 ability to demonstrate professionalism, compassion, accountability, respect and excellence has made her a trusted resource for patients and colleagues alike,鈥� said Ren茅e Dubault, chief operating officer and associate executive director of business operations for USF Health. 

鈥淪he holds a key role in the USF Health Department of Internal Medicine, and she consistently exceeds the customer service standards required by USF Health and USFTGP.鈥� 
 
鈥淗er dedication to our patients and team members exemplifies what it means to be a Culture Champion,鈥� said Mark Moseley, MD, MHA, CPE, president of USF Tampa General Physicians and professor and chair of the USF Health Department of Internal Medicine at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. 鈥淧atti is an invaluable member of our team.鈥� 
 
The importance of patient navigation roles, like the one Lane fulfills, is gaining increasing recognition across the health care industry. These positions serve as vital touchpoints for patients, helping them understand complex medical information, manage appointments and maintain access to high-quality care providers.  
 
鈥淚 am very grateful to be recognized with this honor. I hope that, moving forward, more departments and health care administrators will understand the importance of this role and provide these services to patients,鈥� said Lane.