April Ambassador has 'always been an advocate for our patients'

Caring for patients goes beyond what happens at the bedside or during an office visit.

Throughout a patient’s health journey, there are Reid Health staff members working in roles that directly impact care and those that are more behind-the-scenes in nature.

Take Lori Westover for example.

A payor authorization specialist with Reid’s Contact Center, she works to ensure patients get the care they need, when they need it.

“I’ve always been an advocate for our patients. There are many ways to take care of them, from nursing to financial well-being,” Westover said.

“I enjoy making sure our patients are seen as soon as possible for their care and that I can ease a time of stress in their life by helping ensure they don’t have to worry about the financial aspect of it as well.”

Reid’s Ambassador for the month of April first joined the team in 2000 before leaving for a few years to “become a stay-at-home Mamaw” to two grandkids, twins who were born prematurely.

Westover returned to Reid four years ago after going back to school to study medical coding and billing.

Throughout her time in the organization, she’s worked in a variety of roles – with the environmental services team, as a certified nursing assistant, as a clerk, in scheduling, and with Cardiology – before moving into her current position.

“From day one, I felt at home at Reid,” Westover said. “I’ve always admired what Reid stands for, the attention to detail in patient and family care.

“I work with a great group of people who are always willing to help and have the same sense of purpose: doing what’s best for our patients. I’ve lost loved ones in my life – as many have – and I would want their care to be of the upmost importance to those who are caring for them.”

Co-workers praise Westover’s eagerness to lend a hand whenever necessary.

“Lori is always pleasant to work with. She always helps with a smile on her face, and you rarely have to ask for her help,” one person said. “She’s consistently asking what she can do.

“Lori is a huge asset to our organization.”

Westover lives in Centerville with her husband, Scott. She has two adult children, Justin and Toni.

“First and foremost, my family is most important to me, so anytime I get to spend with them is my priority,” she said. “We play cards and games and eat lots of food and enjoy each other’s company. I also love to do yard work and spending time sitting at a bonfire.

“I love hard and always give people the benefit of the doubt and give more chances than I probably should for people to prove themselves. I always try to find good in people."