How far will Connie Flanagin go to help patients take advantage of the services available at Methodist Rehabilitation Center?
Here’s a hint: Her 1999 Lexus has 360,000 miles on it.
As manager of the hospital’s community outreach representatives, Flanagin is definitely driven, says Chief Financial Officer Gary Armstrong.
“She enjoys going around the state and outside the state telling the story of Methodist Rehab,” Armstrong said. “She will travel weekends, nights or whatever it takes to ensure patients are seen in a timely manner.”
That dedication earned Flanagin the honor of being named Clinical Services Employee of the Year for 2007, an award that took her by surprise. “I was like: Me? I do work hard and try to give it my best … someone else acknowledging it really meant a lot to me.”
A Methodist Rehab employee for 14 years, Flanagin is a registered nurse who first came to the center to escape the rat race of 12-hour shifts. “I was a single mom, and I worked home health for three years because I wanted something that allowed me to drop off my kids at school.”
When referrals were slow, the outgoing Flanagin was frequently sent out to drum up business. So when a spot as an outreach rep opened up, she jumped on the slot and hasn’t slowed down since. Today, she manages four reps, who market Methodist Rehab’s services and evaluate the needs of potential patients across the state.
“We determine if they’re appropriate candidates for our programs and whether they’re medically ready to begin rehabilitation,” Flanagin said. The reps also call on physicians, case managers, social workers and therapists to educate them about the variety of services available at Methodist Rehab.
Flanagin said she loves the spontaneity of her job, although it can be emotionally taxing. “Being a mother, it can be hard for me to sit with families who have young children. I sometimes sit there and cry with them and try to direct them to what is going to be best for their children. The good part is knowing that if I can get them to Methodist Rehab, we are truly going to help them. Miracles do happen here.”