The need for compassionate care and community outreach has never been more critical. At the heart of this effort in Brown County is Melissa Dallenbach, a dedicated Brown County public health nurse and South Country community care connector. With her expertise in public health and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations, Melissa plays a key role in ensuring residents receive the support and services they need.
A community care connector is a county employee from either public health or human services who works directly with health plan members of South Country in their county. The connector provides critical support to connect these residents with the care and resources they need. This county-owned health plan serves Brown and seven other rural Minnesota counties including Dodge, Goodhue, Kanabec, Sibley, Steele, Waseca and Wabasha. It provides essential health care services to residents eligible for Minnesota Medical Assistance, a lifeline for low-income individuals and families.
“I feel if I can connect with members who are having issues and help them solve issues and educate them about what I can help with, they will be more likely to call me again,” Dallenbach said. “If they call me again or pass my name on to other South Country members having issues – that is a real win for me as a connector.”
Some people on Medical Assistance struggle to meet basic needs, which can impact their overall health. Melissa’s role is to bridge the gap. “I love connecting with South Country Medical Assistance and MinnesotaCare members – people who do not have case management services and may not know where to turn,” she explained. “For example, getting a dental appointment is not a big issue for most people, but for someone on Medical Assistance it is really a huge challenge.” Public health programs have struggled to maintain adequate dental coverage throughout Minnesota in recent years. Dallenbach continued, “I love being able to get them a dental appointment or find a dental provider and other resources they might not know even exist.”
Building trust with community members is at the core of Melissa’s work. “The biggest things I do to build trust with members are to have patience, use kindness, and listen closely to what they are telling me,” she shared. “Many times, members can be frustrated and just want to know they’ve been heard. I can do that for them.”
While rewarding, this work is also often very stressful for county workers like Dallenbach. “I try to make sure after a hard day I have downtime at home. I am an animal lover, so I look forward to going home to care for my cats, dogs and chickens every night. That’s work too, but relaxing work,” she explained.
One recent success story highlights the impact of Melissa’s efforts. She managed to secure a dental appointment for a South Country member who had been trying for months without success. The member turned out to be the mother of one of Melissa’s friends. Touched by the help her mother received, the friend sent a heartfelt message that brought Melissa to tears. “It was so sweet. Moments like that keep you going, even on the hardest days,” she said.
Melissa’s dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. Last fall, she was honored with the South Country Diamond Award for her outstanding service to members and her embodiment of the company’s core values: collaboration, stewardship, communication, and excellence.