Newsworthy

This month, we’re proud to celebrate two outstanding team members as our May 2025 Person of the Moment recipients: Social Worker Kristi Skinner (Care Transformation) and Nurse Manager Matt Dittmer (Behavioral Health).

Through creative problem-solving and collaboration with community partners like the Mobile Access Partnership (MAP) of Topeka and the Topeka Street Dog Coalition, Kristi and Matt connected the patient to ongoing resources and support to move forward.

Kristi and Matt embody our mission and the spirit of safe, high-quality care delivered with kindness and generosity—because everyone deserves the best care.

Read Kristi and Matt’s Story

Submitted by Ashley Florez, Nurse Manager, Care Transformation

I want to take the honor to nominate Kristi Skinner and Matt Dittmer for their exceptional, dignified, and compassionate efforts. Social Worker Kristi was referred to a patient faced with several SDOH (social determinants of health) barriers, including but not limited to homelessness, financial strain, and social isolation.

The patient’s long-standing homelessness extended over the past 16 years. Extreme winter conditions and unmet psychosocial and physical health needs were of concern when he would not present to warming centers or even accept temporary lodging assistance.

This patient ultimately shared with Kristi that he would not go anywhere, especially the warming center, because they did not allow dogs. Knowing he would not be able to take his dog with him created fear while also putting the patient at increased risk.

Since that time, Kristi has been able to work with community agencies to ensure his precious dog, Abigail, was approved and recognized as an emotional support pet, allowing him to present wherever he may need to go.

The TRM (Topeka Rescue Mission) staff were shocked when this individual presented to the warming center for the first time, as they had known this community member for quite some time. The patient has since been connected with additional resources, including Health Access.

Stormont Vail Health team member Nurse Matt, Behavioral Health nurse manager, is commended for his support and guidance during this patient’s care. Street Dog Coalition team member Jami Brown, in conjunction with MAP (Mobile Access Partnership) community partnerships, has engaged with the patient to apply for Medicaid and continues to empower the patient in his journey to work toward a self-directed goal.

As a result of this interdisciplinary patient-centered approach to care, he remains on track to successfully secure housing resources and employment assistance through additional vocational resources.

This testimony truly embodies the Stormont Vail mission and our culture while exemplifying the tenet, “Together we own patient safety and the patient experience. We provide safe, high-quality care with a kind and generous spirit.”