Crystal Cepican, a bilingual RN case manager at the Lake Area Free Clinic, is known to patients for her compassion and to the medical community for being an advocate of her patients, colleague say.
LAFC serves low-income residents of Waukesha County. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when patients weren’t being seen in person, Cepican used virtual visits to make sure no one slipped through the cracks.
“She worked long hours on patient files that were literally stacked over her head. She made sure patients’ needs were met, even delivering medication to their homes,” said Megan Welsh, clinic marketing and development director.
Just one example, Welsh said, is a man who came to the clinic needing surgery. Cepican took him to the ER and helped him apply for financial hardship for the visit. She also connected him to the Hispanic Health Resource Center for assistance to pay for surgery. After the surgery, LAFC provided his medication and care, and Cepican helped him obtain insurance to transition out and have greater access to the specialist care he needed.
“He’s now working and providing for his family,” Welsh said. “He’s positioned to be able to receive a transplant if needed.”
