Virginia Fisher, a registered nurse and case manager at Wheaton Franciscan Home Health and Hospice, started her career in high school with a medical track apprenticeship.
Fisher joined Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare first at St. Joseph Hospital and then began at Wheaton Franciscan Home Health and Hospice in 2006 as RN case manager.
Fisher currently manages 18 to 25 patients for wound therapy, I.V. therapy, in addition to providing education on managing diabetes or recovering from heart failure.
“In hospitals, we are getting patients well enough to go home but they don’t understand their conditions completely. In home health we work with patients and see them get to a point of independent care,” said Fisher. “In home care you deal more with wound care and just making sure people are independent with their medications and education. It just isn’t enough to get the therapies you have to ensure independence with care needs.”
Fisher said she enjoys the personal contact she has with patients and their families outside of the hospital walls.
“You really get to know your patients and families better at home than in a hospital situation,” she said. “We adapt the care to their life and make sure their needs are truly met.”
Described as compassionate, knowledgeable and dependable by her peers, Fischer is praised for the care she provides to her patients.
“Gina stands out to me as an excellent nurse, which is something expected of all providers, but she is a patient advocate and makes sure the needs of her patients are met,” said Nancy Radosevich, clinical supervisor at Wheaton Franciscan Home Health and Hospice, who nominated Fisher for a Health Care Hero Award. “When home is the best place for care, Gina makes sure to make every attempt that the needs of her patients are met at home and goes out of her way to arrange other resources if necessary.”
Fisher’s care extends beyond Wheaton Franciscan Home Health and Hospice to her role as a volunteer for the board of directors for Richard’s Place a 24/7 accessible facility that facilitates day-to-day support services for individuals affected with HIV and AIDS in Waukesha County.
“Often with a HIV or AIDS diagnosis, unfortunately the family is not as supportive and patients need a place to go. Richard’s Place provides that,” said Fisher.
