Barb Shaltis, B.A., M.S.W., Clinical Social Worker, knows children from all over the world. When she names off the countries—India, Guatemala, China, Nigeria, El Salvador, Germany, and many more—it sounds like an amazing travelogue, but she has never had to leave the United States to help these children. She met all these international families through her position as a social worker for the University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center at the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.

The University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center’s international reputation attracts patients from all over the world. Shaltis begins coordinating plans long before patients arrive in Michigan. “Most people are surprised to know how much work needs to be done prior to when a family arrives,” she says. “We are coordinating the details for quite a while to make their visit as smooth as possible.”

Someone who speaks their language—Before a non-English-speaking patient arrives, Shaltis makes arrangements for an interpreter. “Interpreter Services is wonderful!” she says. The University of Michigan Health System department provides interpreters for families who need assistance. In cases when there are not interpreters available who speak the patient and family’s language, Shaltis finds people from local international groups who can help.

Familiar cuisine—“Food is a big issue for some families,” Shaltis says. “When a child is recovering from surgery, we want them to eat foods they like and that make them comfortable,” she explains. “Their diets are so different from American diets. We try to find people from similar cultures who can help provide food.”

Comfortable accommodations—The Ronald McDonald House provides lodging for many international families. Conveniently located near the medical campus, it offers washing machines, microwaves, and other items that are part of daily domestic life for most Americans. However, some of the families Shaltis works with have never even seen these modern conveniences before.

Climate adjustments—Michigan winters may seem cold to those of us who live here, but many of the families that Shaltis works with have never experienced anything like Michigan weather. She recalls one family from El Salvador who never thought it got this cold anywhere in the world. Some families don’t even own clothing warm enough for winter weather, so Shaltis helps them by purchasing clothes with money that has been donated for that purpose.

Putting information in understandable terms—As part of the medical teams, social workers facilitate communication between doctors and families. All of Mott Children’s Hospital’s social workers are skilled at helping families understand technical medical information. Shaltis’ extra help is especially important for non-English-speaking families and those from less technical cultures.

WHATEVER IT TAKES

Families are willing to undergo these major adjustments in order to get their children the best possible medical care. Shaltis explains the families’ commitments, “They make a choice to come to a place that will provide their children with every opportunity to live.” Families come to the Michigan Congenital Heart Center because the doctors provide children with every medical opportunity to succeed, and Shaltis works hard to provide every opportunity for their adjustment.