For Cynthia D. Likar, DPAS, MPAS, PA-C, building trust with health plan members starts before she enters the front door. During her time at Signify Health, she has learned how important it is to reach out to members with a reminder call the day before the visit.
“That initial conversation is so important for helping members feel at ease and ensuring they know what to expect during the visit. Even if I can only leave a voicemail, I ensure my tone is warm and friendly and I share details on what to expect during their upcoming evaluation. That step lays the foundation for a successful visit,” Cynthia said.
From a young age, Cynthia knew she wanted to pursue a career in health care. A commitment to helping others coupled with an insatiable desire to learn led the way to a role as a PA.
“I’m deeply passionate about the PA profession and the work I do. It has always given me a strong sense of purpose. In health care, we’re learning every day, and that keeps your brain focused and sharp. The PA profession provides flexibility across settings and specialties, which has aided continuous development throughout my career,” Cynthia said.
Initially, she worked as a neurosurgical PA, a role that helped her expand her knowledge, build her confidence and learn from a talented team of medical professionals. Her clinical experience includes urgent care, primary care and the perioperative setting, giving her a broad perspective on how to care for patients and adapt to their individual needs.
After earning her doctorate, Cynthia was looking for a flexible role that aligned with her desire to continue growing professionally while giving back through her profession and community. That search led her to Signify Health.
Joining Signify Health opened a whole new chapter for Cynthia. Seeing people at home revealed health disparities and challenges that often go unnoticed within traditional clinical walls.
“What surprised me were the needs that lie very close to my own home. Being part of Signify Health has allowed me to see first-hand how meeting people where they are can make a lasting difference in their health and well-being, which I find both personally and professionally rewarding, Cynthia said.
Whether members face financial hardships, limited transportation or confusion over complex treatment plans, Cynthia steps in not just as a clinician, but as an advocate.
She recalls one home visit that deeply reinforced the value of seeing people in the home. She visited a veteran of modest means who was confined to his bedroom due to multiple health issues. Accompanied by his three loyal dogs, Cynthia stayed, performed a thorough assessment and offered both medical guidance and advice about local resources. The member looked at her and said, “Nobody has done this for me before. Most people would probably leave, and I'm so glad that you stayed.”
It is moments like these — providing education about medications, clarifying confusion about diagnoses, facilitating access to behavioral health care or simply offering a listening ear — that highlight the power of meeting members where they are. In the comfort and safety of their own homes, members let their guard down, allowing Cynthia to address hidden obstacles to their well-being.
For clinicians new to performing In-Home Health Evaluations, Cynthia emphasizes that building trust and closing care gaps comes down to a few key steps:
Beyond her work in the field with Signify Health, Cynthia remains deeply committed to her profession. As a guest lecturer for the Master of Physician Assistant program at the University of Pittsburgh, she helps educate and inspire future PAs. She also serves as a guest speaker with local Rotary clubs and as an ambassador for the Global Public Health Leadership Program through the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Her commitment to teaching, public health and community service continues to shape how she approaches her work and reinforces the importance of seeing the whole person, not simply a diagnosis or a single health concern.
She credits her work at Signify Health with providing the flexibility required to teach, continuously grow her clinical insight and keep her primary focus where it matters most: caring for her family.
“For me, professional fulfillment and being present for my family are both important. I am passionate about my work and thankful for a career that allows me to continue learning, growing and contributing meaningfully to health care while staying available for my family,” Cynthia says.
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.
Reference to Signify Health herein refers to Signify Health, LLC and its contracted independent physician owned entities to which it provides administrative services, including Signify Health Medical Associates, PLLC; Brookview Medical Associates, PLLC; Signify Health Medical Associates of California, P.C.; Signify Health Medical Associates of New Jersey, LLC; and Signify Health Medical Associates of Kansas, LLC.