For Benita Varnado, MD, FACOG, the path to medicine was paved early on, guided by her mother, a pediatric nurse, and father, a dentist. As a child, she spent time in his dental practice, welcoming patients and assisting with paperwork.
“From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a physician,” she said. “Eventually, that led to a focus on women’s health.”
At the start of her career, Dr. Varnado worked in a traditional OB-GYN practice. Longing for more time with her patients, she started her own holistic health business in 2021 while exploring other opportunities to supplement her income. When a Signify Health recruiter reached out, she knew it was both the right fit and the right moment.
“I found Signify Health at exactly the right time,” she said. “When I conducted my first In-Home Health Evaluation (IHE), I noticed immediately how much more comfortable people feel in their own homes. It’s beneficial to have more time with members in their own environment. ”
Helping people take charge of their health
Dr. Varnado primarily sees members living in rural North Carolina, the state she also calls home. These communities face challenges, including longer distances to access health care, prevalence of chronic conditions and financial challenges.
Often, members express confusion about the medications they’ve been prescribed or the complexities of navigating the health care system. During these conversations, Dr. Varnado highlights the importance of self-advocacy.
“The first step to wellness is to take an active role in your care. You must take ownership. Your doctor is there to help you, but you can also help yourself,” she said.
Loneliness and isolation are also common issues among the members she sees. Dr. Varnado appreciates the IHE’s focus on mental health, which opens up opportunities for members to share their struggles.
“If people are feeling isolated, we have a conversation about the importance of community,” she said. “Loneliness also acts like a chronic disease, shown to shorten life spans. It’s important for people to get out and be with others.”
Finding meaning in her work
For Dr. Varnado, working with Signify Health is a deeply rewarding experience. She values the flexibility of the role and the chance to help others.
“I leave every visit feeling like I’ve made a difference. I’m not only helping members, those members are helping me.”
Sometimes, a small act of kindness makes a big impact. For example, Dr. Varnado recently encountered a member struggling after a traumatic event. His provider suggested it might be helpful to journal, but he didn’t know where to begin. Dr. Varnado took time to write out a few prompts in the journal to help him take the next step.
She also feels appreciated when members take time to share a compliment after a visit. Recently, Dr. Varnado met a member who seemed reluctant to go through with the visit. After the IHE, she praised the experience and even took time to share a compliment with Signify Health. That feedback contributed to Dr Varnado’s recognition through our clinician recognition program.
“Dr. Varnado visited me in my home on behalf of my health insurance provider. Initially, I was skeptical of such a visit, but after talking with Dr. Varnardo for five minutes, my skepticism changed to enthusiasm. I have rarely encountered a physician who combines professionalism, an open mind, compassionate attention and good cheer during the course of a lengthy interview and examination. The hour she spent with me was invaluable. If I could give her more than five stars, I would.”
Meeting members where they are
During her time with Signify Health, Dr. Varnado has adopted several go-to strategies to maximize the value of the visit:
- Start slowly to build trust. Rather than diving immediately into the visit, she takes time to introduce herself, settle in with members and help them feel at ease.
- Explain the visit. Dr. Varnado helps members understand the goals of the visit, how they will benefit and the information they’ll review during their time together.
- Be ready to listen. She ensures members feel comfortable sharing questions and concerns. In our fast-paced world, she finds people appreciate feeling heard.
- Provide actionable information. When the opportunity presents itself, Dr. Varnado takes time to discuss the importance of making small changes, including reducing consumption of processed or unhealthy foods. She believes small changes make a big impact.
“There’s something very special about the Signify Health IHE. We’re bridging the gaps in health care for members and meeting the human need to feel connected and to be well,” she said.
Are you a clinician interested in helping health plan members gain a more comprehensive view of their health? To learn more about opportunities with Signify Health, visit our clinical careers page.