08/26/2025
August 25 - 29th marks Community Health Worker (CHW) Appreciation Week!
Let's learn a bit more this week about the role of a CHW, how they are important in our community, and the proper way to get ahold of her.
What typically initiates involvement of our CHW at the hospital comes from a screener offered to patients upon check in for the ER, same day surgery, in patient services, and the Family Birthing Center called Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) forms. Right now, our hospital still has them in paper form filled out by patients but will soon switch to a digital format filled out by nursing staff. Either way - the questions are optional to answer, though everyone is encouraged to answer anything they are comfortable sharing. All responses are confidential. When a patient has a screener with positive indications of threats to their personal safety, the referral to our CHW populates.
The five drivers on the SDOH forms are food insecurity, housing, transportation, utilities, and personal safety. If you elect to answer these questions and meet with our CHW, she can provide resources that are available in our area and throughout North Dakota where you may eligible for assistance. Depending on the resource and the length of stay in the hospital depends on the length of time the CHW is able to assist you - which by no means is a negative thing! She, along with the care team here, will make sure to explain the process for the resource you may utilize should you get approval. As wonderful and helpful as our CHW is, she does have many other superhero tasks to tend to. Part of these tasks include being involved in groups such as the Prevention Coalition in Devils Lake to stay informed of various resources that are most needed for our community.
Any voice messages left will be vague, as per HIPAA laws and regulations do not allow for personal health information to be included. If you are needing to reach out to her outside of your time at the hospital while your case is still open and she is still helping you, the only acceptable means of communication are via email at ashley.roulette@commonspirit.org , her direct office line at 701-662-9698, or her work phone at 701-350-1497. Office hours are Monday - Friday 8am - 4pm. This is not a position that has after hours or on-call hours, so any messages left will be answered on the next business day.
Reaching out to our CHW or any hospital staff in person outside of their capacity of their job or via social media (personal or professional) is never acceptable. This page is unable to respond to messages or comments. An immediate mental crisis can always call 988 for immediate assistance and will be connected with a mental health professional. In the same respect, a medical emergency can get assistance by dialing 911 from any phone.
