As the Director of Health Education for Orthopedic Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center, Savino Stallone, MS, CHES®, is making a mark in the specialty of orthopedic health education.
Savino's pathway to his current role as the Director of Health Education for Orthopedic Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center began in an untraditional fashion. Initially employed as an orthopedic casting technician, this hands-on experience in the orthopedic department sparked his interest in the disparities between patient instructions and their adherence to those guidelines.
"I didn’t know anything about patient education initially," says Stallone, “but I had this unshakable and growing curiosity about the field and the gaps in patient understanding and compliance that existed.” This interest drove him to pursue a degree in Health Education and Health Promotion from Arizona State University, which, coupled with his CHES® certification, paved the way to his current role at Montefiore Medical Center.
Day-to-day as a Director of Health Education
Savino’s day-to-day involves conducting pre-operative education sessions for patients undergoing hip, knee, and shoulder replacement surgeries. These classes are designed to prepare patients for what to expect throughout their surgical journey—from pre-surgery preparation to post-operative care.
"Telemedicine for preoperative education classes came from a need," says Savino. “The transition to online platforms like Zoom was driven by necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic but has since proven essential in maintaining the continuity of education, and in increasing accessibility, allowing more patients to participate from the comfort of their homes.”
“As I started talking with patients and using motivational interviewing techniques after surgery,” recalls Savino, “I started to realize, okay… we might just be giving them too much information.”
As a result, Stallone spearheaded the creation of succinct educational materials that resonated with diverse patient populations. "I'm working on what I'm calling pictographs—just easy bulletins for patients to follow, like for sling-use compliance after shoulder surgery,” he shares. “We want to make it easy, with about 8 bullet points and some visuals to grab attention. This not only helps in reducing hospital readmissions but also empowers patients through knowledge, significantly improving their recovery outcomes.”
The Power of CHES® Certification
"I first learned about the CHES® credential while still at Arizona State University,” says Savino. “I realized the credential was exactly what I needed to put me in a place in my career where I'd be able to communicate with patients effectively. The day that I passed the exam truly validated the career path I was embarking on."
The value of the CHES® certification extends beyond personal advancement; it enhances the quality of care provided to patients and is highly regarded by employers. Montefiore Medical Center fully supports its staff in pursuing further education and certifications, acknowledging the direct benefits to patient care and satisfaction.
"They paid fully for my exam and for any continuing education sessions I want to take," Savino notes, highlighting the medical center’s commitment to ongoing professional development. By actively employing CHES®-certified professionals in roles that allow them to utilize their specialized skills, Montefiore demonstrates its acknowledgment of the credential's value in enhancing the quality of healthcare delivery.
The institution's support for the CHES® credential underscores a broader strategy aimed at integrating comprehensive health education into patient care, thereby fostering an environment where education is as critical as medical intervention in driving positive health outcomes.
A Word of Advice
Stallone’s advice to new graduates and newly credentialed Health Education Specialists is this: advocate for the role of the Health Educator within a clinical setting. “The integration of dedicated Health Educators in patient care not only fills a crucial educational gap but also enhances the overall healthcare delivery system,” says Stallone. “I often think that the biggest problem in healthcare is that we’re not truly listening to the needs of the patient. And since they don’t have a background in medicine, we’re not speaking in a language they can fully grasp.”
His work at Montefiore and its impact underscores a crucial message: health education is vital in healthcare settings, not just for patient compliance but for improving outcomes as a whole.