Milton Hershey School Everyday Hero: Katey Fishter
MHS Everyday Hero: A campaign highlighting employees who are found behind the scenes and show up every day to make a difference in the lives of our students.
Katey Fishter, Medical Scheduling Coordinator
Supervisor Quote:
“Katey is outgoing, dedicated, and hard-working. She is detailed, focused on the students, and coordinates schedules and transportation for students who have off-campus and on-campus medical appointments. She juggles a lot of moving parts to make these appointments happen. She manages over 1,500 off-campus appointments in a school year. She completes all the behind-the-scenes work without hesitation or complaint,” said Jamie Byerly, MHS Director of Nursing and Medical Services.
Fishter’s Q&A:
1. What brought you to Milton Hershey School?
Pure curiosity. I had worked over at the Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in multiple outpatient clinics, and from time-to-time would have the opportunity to meet MHS students and staff. I was aware of the school but honestly knew very little about Milton and Catherine Hershey. When I applied, and then later accepted a position here, my eyes were definitely opened. I learned it’s not just a school. Rather, it’s a tight-knit community or a family.
2. How has COVID-19 impacted your role here?
As the Medical Scheduling Coordinator, I am tasked with scheduling our students’ on- and off-campus medical appointments, as well as the deployment of our Medical/Support Drivers. COVID-19 has impacted my role in several different ways. With the changes at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center due to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) health and safety guidelines, appointments are constantly changing. The amount of virtual [telehealth] visits since March has doubled, and more outpatient clinics are limiting their patient capacity. We also have seen an increase in our on-campus appointment transportation needs which can be challenging to coordinate on a given day.
3. How have you stepped up this year to help your department or MHS as a whole?
Due to the many changes presented by COVID-19, our team has learned that we have to adapt and try new ways to make sure we are providing excellent care. For example: To make sure our students’ healthcare needs are still being met, a lot of outpatient appointments have become virtual [telehealth] meetings and/or phone calls rather than in-person visits. Additionally, around 600 appointments were rescheduled from March to ensure our students received necessary off-campus specialty services like mental health services, ophthalmology, dermatology, and emergency care; all while maintaining health and safety guidelines.
4. What is your favorite aspect of the MHS community?
The people I work with are the best part. Here at the MHS Health Center, there are an array of employees who truly function not just as a team, but as a family. The nurses, CNAs, staff assistants, medical drivers, and administration function as a whole entity. Each person has an important role to play, but everyone helps everyone out. We are conscious of one another and strive to make sure everything runs smoothly. It helps to make a productive, but fun atmosphere throughout the week.
5. Tell us something about your job that few people know?
While I manage the schedule and the transportation for off-campus medical appointments, I also coordinate transportation for off-campus mental health and wellness appointments, occasional non-medical runs, and emergency room visits. It can get pretty busy over here on certain days, but our drivers are absolutely amazing. They are so good with the students, and I know I can count on them, always.
Are you an Everyday Hero? Do you know someone who is deserving of this title? Email us their name and title at Milton Hershey School.