Referral Coordination Department: A Guiding Hand for Patients
Our team of five referral coordinators play a key role in guiding both patients and healthcare providers.
Team Member Spotlight: Dr. Margaret Stein
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Dr. Margaret Stein is a California licensed physician at SFCHC with decades of experience related to internal medicine and infectious diseases.
Prior to joining SFCHC last January, Dr. Stein treated HIV patients at the HIV Healthcare Clinic of Century City and Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a global non-profit organization providing advanced medicine and advocacy to people living with HIV and AIDS. She also spent several years practicing hospital-based HIV and infectious disease consultation.
Dr. Stein’s approach to care begins with listening to each patient and understanding their personal values, priorities and lifestyle complexities before making a treatment decision. “I want my patients to feel cared for and valued as individuals,” she said. “It’s important for them to know I’m listening and understand the complexities of their lives, including their responsibilities with work and family.”
On a daily basis, Dr. Stein provides personalized and compassionate care to adult patients ranging in age from 18 to 90-plus years. Two of their most predominant medical conditions are type 2 diabetes and hypertension. She also treats individuals for endocrine disorders such as hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, and conditions affecting the heart, blood, kidneys, joints, respiratory and vascular systems.
“My goal is to empower patients to take control of their own medical management, including their blood sugar and blood pressure levels,” said Dr. Stein. “This also involves proactively scheduling physical exams, immunizations and cancer screening tests, such as mammograms and colonoscopies.”
Dr. Stein believes educating patients about the importance of good nutrition is essential to patient care. This is because having a healthy diet helps reduce the risk of chronic conditions – such as obesity, heart disease, diabetes and stroke – and increase a person’s overall health and wellbeing.
Many of Dr. Stein’s patients perform strenuous physical work, care for children and extended family members, and find it difficult to visit a doctor. To meet their needs, Dr. Stein offers telehealth when an in-person visit is not necessary. She also refers patients to other health resources and specialists, regardless of their income, insurance status or ability to pay.
Dr. Stein credits SFCHC with enabling vulnerable members of the community to access quality, affordable healthcare in an environment where they feel safe and welcome. “Our staff helps people with incredible difficulties navigate through health insurance and become aware of their eligibility for benefits and other resources. Some of my patients have never seen a doctor before and need treatment for underlying conditions. We often provide patients more personalized care than they would receive at a major medical center.”
Dr. Stein said she is deeply grateful to be part of an organization that shares her values and commitment. “Each member of our healthcare team is absolutely amazing and enjoys working with patients. The leadership is wonderful and there is a collaborative, supportive environment where we excel at patient care.”
Dr. Stein is a member of the Infectious Diseases Society of America and diplomate of both the American Board of Infectious Diseases and the American Board of Internal Medicine. She received her medical training from the Medical School Universidad Central del Este, San Pedro de Macoris, in the Dominican Republic and performed undergraduate studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. She completed her internal medicine residency at Western Reserve Care System Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio and infectious diseases fellowship at Hackensack University Medical Center in Hackensack, New Jersey.
Dr Stein is fluent in English, French and Spanish, and enjoys jogging and hiking.
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