La-Shawn Dixon on Alfred University's Patient Care Management Program

La-Shawn Dixon is a Care Manager with 10+ years of experience with a major medical center in New York City. She is a graduate of the Patient Care Management program through Alfred University.

How did you hear about this program with 1199 SEIU, CITE & Alfred University? 

I first read about the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Care Management on the 1199 SEIU website in the ‘News & Announcements’ section. I thought this program was great for me since I am currently employed as a Care Manager. I felt that I could use additional training to sharpen my skills.

Tell us about your professional journey.

La-Shawn has worked within the Healthcare and Social Services field for over 15 years. She is committed to providing quality services to assist patients with who are in need of health maintenance needs. Her areas of expertise include:

• Behavioral Health Management
• Health Promotion
• Health Maintenance
• Care Management
• Outreach
• Managed Care
• Advocacy
• Public Benefits

La-Shawn holds an Advanced Certificate in Care Management from Alfred University, a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology from Plattsburgh State University and an Associates of Arts in Liberal Arts from Borough of Manhattan Community College.

La-Shawn continuously seeks to gain more experience and broaden her education. Her plan is to obtain a Masters of Counseling in Mental Health so that she can provide counseling services to individuals with mental health needs.

For information on Alfred University’s NYC-area programs, click here

What is 1199 SEIU?

1199 is the oldest union in the United States, helping to maintain health coverage and competitive salaries for their members as well as protection of workers’ rights. Through member-paid dues, 1199 members are afforded health insurance with no co-payment, wellness programs to improve member health, free tuition for CUNY and SUNY colleges as well as Touro College and tuition reimbursement. 1199 offers endless training opportunities, pension, as well as financial management.

How was your experience with Alfred?

I really enjoyed my experience with Alfred University. The professors were great. They were very knowledgeable and always offered to assist when the class had difficulty. Each professor brought their own expertise to the class and afforded each student the opportunity to do the same. Dr. Cerio and Dr. Bitting were accessible when questions and concerns arose.

What role did CITE play in your program?

CITE played more of a background role, but an important role for the Patient Care Management program. Tim Werner, Assistant Director at CITE, kept the students abreast of newly-assigned professors for each course, schedule changes, and messages from the deans of the program.

What is special about being in Patient Care Management?

Patient Care Management is special because it offers supportive services to those who do not know how to navigate or access them. These services help to improve patient care by enhancing coordination. This helps patients and caregivers manage patient health and mental health conditions more effectively.

What’s difficult about being in Patient Care Management?

The difficulty in Patient Care Management is the number of patient cases that are assigned. This makes it difficult to assist patients with all of their medical or mental health needs. The frequency of the Care Manager’s contact with the patient is what will determine what medical or mental health needs will be addressed at that time.

Can you tell me why you decided to get into that program?

I believe that we all can use a refinement of our skills. I enrolled in the Patient Care Management program to refine my skills and to offer patients more information, more empathy, and clinical treatment.

Is there a particular obstacle that you had to overcome while being a student or in the field?

Working with patients with chronic illness, patient death will occur. Outside of a Care Manager’s best efforts, some patients will not accept the help or the suggestions offered to help a patient to maintain optimal health. This can be challenging, but I have learned how to accept it. Many patients will accept assistance and suggestions, which many times results in improved health.

Where/what are you doing now?

I’m currently in the process of starting a non-profit organization with 6 former classmates from the Patient Care Management program at Alfred University.

What are you most looking forward to — let’s say in another 5 years?

In the next 5 years, I look forward to having a thriving non-profit organization with my colleagues. I also look forward to having a private practice in counseling after I have obtained a Masters of Counseling in Mental Health.

For information on Alfred University’s NYC-area programs, click here

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CITE is the Center for Integrated Training and Education. For over 25 years, CITE has and continues to train TEACHERS (Early Childhood, Professional Certification, Special Ed,Grad Courses, Bilingual courses, DASA); COUNSELORS (School, Mental Health Masters, Advanced Certificate); and ADMINISTRATORS (SBL, SDL, Public Admin, Doctorate) in all five boroughs of NYC, Yonkers, Westchester, and Long Island.

CITE PD offers CTLE-approved in-school professional development tailored to your school’s needs and your vision. Info: citepd.com

We now also offer an undergraduate degree completion program in psychology.