Sabine von Preyss-Friedman, MD, CMD, President-Elect, PALTmed

I’m incredibly thankful for post-acute and long-term care (PALTC) medicine because it allowed me to pursue my passion for geriatrics while working with a population that is often in great need of specialized attention. The opportunity to focus my career on improving the quality of life for older adults in PALTC, who deserve not only excellent care but compassion and dignity, has been deeply rewarding.

My journey of gratitude in the PALTC field was shaped by several remarkable individuals. Dr. Ouslander was my first advisor and played a crucial role in guiding me toward this field. Over time, I’ve been fortunate to work with many role models, including Dr. Cheryl Phillips. Besides being a role model, I saw through her approach and vision that our field and our vulnerable patients could go from marginalized and almost stigmatized to a profession that is an integral and important part of the entire healthcare spectrum.

Beyond physicians, I’ve been continuously inspired by my coworkers, including nurses and CNAs, whose unwavering dedication and compassion for our patients have taught me what it truly means to be a caregiver.

One of the most personal ways PALTC medicine has impacted my life is by providing the flexibility to balance the demands of parenthood with a career that I love – a profoundly fulfilling opportunity.

I’ve been involved with PALTmed/AMDA and the Foundation for PALTC since the early 1990s and finding them felt like a revelation and a relief. The educational opportunities, sense of community, collaboration, and shared understanding of the challenges we face in the field have kept me engaged all these years for which I’m grateful.

I’m particularly passionate about my volunteer efforts in the implementation of best practices for our highly complex patients and in particular working on the Drive to Deprescribe Initiative has been incredibly important to me and is a program the Foundation has funded with donations. I’m gifting gratitude through my donation to the Foundation in honor of these PALTC healthcare heroes.

Dr. Allison Villegas’s Story:

Why are you thankful for post-acute and long-term care medicine?

Overall, it’s the people. The residents, their families and guardians, the staff, and  my colleagues, both on the national and local level.

Who is your mentor/who got you into the PALTC field?

I stumbled into PALTC during a rotation and fell in love immediately. I will be forever grateful for the PA program’s “lifespan” rotation that included nursery, pediatrics, PALTC and hospice. If it wasn’t for my rotation, I don’t think I would have found my “practice home”. Because of this, I try to take students as frequently as possible and promote the Futures’ program. As far as mentorship goes, I’ve been lucky to work with many outstanding and passionate providers but it was Leslie Eber who introduced me to the amazing community that is AMDA.

Tell us about a time that PALTC medicine improved your life (directly or indirectly) or the life of someone you know?

My life is improved daily by the fulfillment I get from my job. It happens when I walk into my facility and am welcomed by the “greeters” at the front door. You know these folks, they spend their days hanging out in the front lobby chatting with each other and different family members or staff who come in to work or visit loved ones. My day is improved again with every interaction I have with the residents. If it is a positive interaction, I’m reminded of the mutual trust and respect we have built between us. If it is a challenging interaction, I am reminded that it is an honor and a gift to work with people who have been challenged by our healthcare system and who have lost trust in providers and the system we work within. It’s fulfilling to me to help change a negative perspective or experience into one that helps rebuild trust and confidence. My day is brightened everytime I watch an engagement between the nurses and CNAs as they provide intimate acts of care for people who they perceive as family, giving their resident a shave just the way they like it, pull out their favorite outfit when they know they have a visit with their family that day, or bring in homemade pozole or menudo to share with residents who they know love these authentic dishes but can’t get them routinely. My life is improved by every demonstration of deep knowledge and love of the people we serve. It’s the shared jokes, gentle touch, and emotional connections that make my job impossible to replace.

How long have you been involved in AMDA and the Foundation for PALTC? What keeps you engaged?

I’ve been involved for 5 years. I’ve remained engaged because I have found that surrounding myself with colleagues who share my same passion, frustration, and wins helps to stave off burnout. Every time I feel like I cannot continue “the fight” for my practice or our residents, I attend an AMDA meeting and I am rejuvenated by ideas or best practices of colleagues who have been here before and have overcome the issue at hand. Being surrounded by passionate and like minded individuals reminds me that I am not alone and that there is support and movements and changes being done across the country. When I am struggling, I have a network and safety net to catch me and bounce me back up.

Is there a program or initiative that you’re particularly passionate about?

I’m passionate about the Futures’ program because it is our pipeline to introduce new providers to the joy that is PALTC. There are not enough “windows” into our space to show new providers just how fun PALTC can be. There are always enough news articles or investigations to show the challenging side so I am immensely grateful for a positive and fun-filled way to introduce clinicians to PALTC.