Close to Home: Samantha (Sami) Shafranski, Signify Health Physician Assistant

At Signify Health, a CVS Health® company, our mission is to build trusted relationships to make people healthier. Our national network of more than 12,000 clinicians works to help people gain a more comprehensive view of their health by conducting In-Home Health Evaluations (IHEs). During an IHE, clinicians identify chronic conditions, close gaps in care, and address social determinants of health, making it possible for health plan members to get connected to the right care for their unique needs. 

We’re proud to showcase the clinicians helping us build a more connected, effective care experience for all – and their personal stories that make this important work feel #ClosetoHome. This is Sami’s story.

Left undiagnosed and untreated, atrial fibrillation puts people at risk for serious complications including blood clots, stroke and heart failure. But thanks to a recent In-Home Health Evaluation (IHE) with physician assistant (PA) Samantha (Sami) Shafranski, one health plan member is getting the care she needs to manage her symptoms and avoid serious complications. 

“Sami detected an irregular heartbeat and strongly suggested I see a doctor. I did and was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. I may not have gone to the doctor at all thinking nothing was wrong with me. I’m thankful it was detected and my heart is now beating regularly,” she said.

Finding Meaning with Signify Health

Moments like this are why Sami chose a health care career and why she now works at Signify Health. 

“My grandfather was the driving force behind my decision to become a PA. After his cancer diagnosis, he talked about how lovely his caregivers were," she said. “I’m thankful that he was a little light in my path to becoming a PA.”

After completing her education at St. Ambrose University in Iowa, Sami worked in a primary care clinic. While she enjoyed caring for her patients, she didn’t like feeling rushed to get through every appointment. She wanted more and found it with Signify Health.

At first, completing IHEs was a part-time gig, but now she works for Signify Health exclusively. Sami not only enjoys the time she spends with health plan members, but also leaves her visits feeling very appreciated. 

“What I love about working with Signify Health is meeting people at home, in a space where they are comfortable,” she said. “The work we do is important. People are very appreciative that someone is coming to see them in their homes.”

Sami believes the visit offers tremendous value to the health plan member including:

• Heart health support: Sami frequently encounters individuals with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and other conditions that increase the risk for heart attack and stroke. Often, these risks can be addressed by referring the health plan member to their primary care provider (PCP) or helping them understand the importance of taking medications as prescribed.  
• Education: Many health plan members have questions about their medications, symptoms and diagnoses, which aren’t always addressed in other health care settings. The IHE offers time to address these concerns.
• Support with emotional health: Sami generally sees older members living in rural Wisconsin. Questions related to emotional health help identify people struggling with loneliness or depression. She not only refers people to their PCPs for support, but also recommends community organizations that offer opportunities for meaning and connection.
• Assistance with sensitive issues: Being in the home allows clinicians to see if there are any safety concerns or unmet needs. Sami also finds people are more comfortable discussing issues like incontinence. While there are treatment options available, people don’t always know their options or the importance of discussing these sensitive topics with a PCP.

• Help finding a provider: Primary care shortages are a challenge in the rural Wisconsin communities Sami serves. When individuals don’t have a PCP, she refers them to their health plan for help identifying one.

Sami knows the importance of preventive care and helping people avoid complications through early detection. Often, it’s a lack of awareness or lack of regular care that delays necessary screenings.

“Most people aren’t even aware that preventive screenings are available to them. If we can help save a life through preventive care, that’s amazing.”

Tips for Success

Sami has picked up a few best practices during her time with Signify Health. She believes these tips could help other clinicians, particularly those who are newer to the IHE:

• Always make your reminder calls: Sami believes the reminder call helps the member feel more comfortable and prepared for the visit. Even if no one answers, leaving a detailed voicemail increases the likelihood of a successful visit. Health plan members can also contact Signify Health directly if they need to reschedule.
• Practice makes perfect: Still getting comfortable with the IHE? Sami said the ability to practice the visit and go through the questions with her husband helped her move through the workflow more easily during her first evaluations. 
• Prioritize your safety: Initially, Sami worried she would not feel comfortable in a new environment. She says her experiences have all been positive. And while she loves animals, she knows how to gently ask people to put pets in another area of the home when needed.

When Sami is not supporting health plan members, she enjoys time with her family and two dogs in their Wisconsin home. They spend a lot of time outdoors and enjoy annual trips to national parks. In addition, Sami loves crafting, including calligraphy.

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.