Anjani Prasad

'We're Very Sensitive to People's Needs'

Anjani Prasad was only 11 when her family moved from Fiji to the United States more than 10 years ago.

To come from such a small place and land squarely in the middle of Los Angeles proved to be quite a culture shock. But Prasad is a fast learner, and she adjusted quickly to life in America.

Today, she's a patient care coordinator at LTFU, a new role for her, but one that suits her well, she said.

"I learn something new every day," said Prasad, who relates to LTFU patients by thinking about how she would like her own family to be treated if they had to call anyone for help.

"What if that person calling was a member of my family? How would I feel if they were not helped or not treated with courtesy and respect? I want to make sure that every LTFU patient who calls us is treated well," she said.

As a patient care coordinator, Prasad talks to patients, doctors and family members. She schedules patient appointments, directs calls to nurses, and makes sure someone gets back to a patient who has questions.

"It's emotional sometimes. We talk to patients who are upset, and we talk to family members who are very concerned and worried. We're very sensitive to people's needs, and they can see we're trying to help," she said.

Prasad's family moved to the Northwest after living in the Los Angeles area for about a year. She went to middle and high school in the Seattle area, and she graduated from the University of Washington with an environmental science degree last year. She has been volunteering at Northwest Hospital in Shoreline for several years, starting as a patient escort and then meal attendant.

That experience has come in handy at LTFU.

"That's what I like about my job: it's that trust that you build with patients. Some call us just to say thanks," she said.