Medical assistant’s personal experience helps anxious heart failure patients process their situations

The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) this week posted a compelling story about a notable medical assistant who provides deeply personal counsel to anxious heart failure patients. The story shows perioperative leaders how thoughtful staffing can immensely improve the patient experience.

It focuses on medical assistant Tina McCorkle, who talks with heart failure patients at MUSC Health Heart and Vascular in Columbia, S.C. “She brings more than her training to the conversations,” MUSC writes. “She’s a heart failure survivor who recently celebrated the first anniversary of her lifesaving heart transplant.”

“I have some cards now to give patients when they want my number so we can talk more,” McCorkle said in the story. “On the card is the quote that got me through everything. It says, ‘You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.’”

Read MUSC's full profile of Ms. McCorkle and her role working with providers at the facility here.