Healio's newest award – the Allied Health Care Provider of the Year – is presented to an allied health provider whose innovative approaches have improved patient outcomes or quality of care. They represent the collaborative spirit of gastroenterology, reminding us as physicians that there is always more to health care.
The inaugural winner of this award is Laurie A. Keefer, PhD.
There are few providers who embody the idea of holistic care more than Keefer. She came to Mount Sinai in New York to help create and lead the IBD-centered Medical Home and less than 5 years later, her GRITT methodology provided the basis for Trellus Health, which she launched with the Lifetime Disruptor, Marla C. Dubinsky, MD.
GRITT, which stands for Gaining Resilience Through Transitions, is an effective program that works with patients to coordinate a personalized care plan and assist them through big life transitions to avoid flares and life impact of chronic IBD.
Keefer is a beacon for complementary, behavior-guided care of our GI patients. She speaks to the mind-gut connection and reminds us that medication is only one piece of the patient’s care package.