A dynamic duo’s compassionate instincts

When a patient with limited mobility arrived at the UCHealth Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic at Memorial Hospital Central, medical assistants Tammy Allen and Viviana “Vivi” Peregrina took notice that the man in the wheelchair was alone.

He had driven 45 miles to get to the hospital, and he employed a wheelchair at the entrance to make his way to the clinic for a scheduled biopsy.

Upon check-out, Allen and Peregrina went out of their way to ensure that the patient’s journey back home was a little less arduous. Allen asked: “If you have a few minutes, could you wait with us while we clean up and we’ll get you to where you need to be?”

The patient, grateful for the extra care, quickly agreed. Peregrina took the patient to the pharmacy to pick up his prescription; Allen took his biopsy to the lab. Allen and Peregrina then met and escorted their patient to his car in the parking lot. Allen took the wheelchair back inside the hospital while Peregrina buckled him in the driver’s seat. They sent him on his way.

The next morning, Peregrina called to check on the patient, who had nothing but kind words for their willingness to help him.

“Thank you again for what you guys did for me, it was very kind,” Peregrina recalled the patient saying.

Allen and Peregrina make it a habit to go the extra step to put patients first.

“I couldn’t be more proud and appreciative of my staff. Both Vivi and Tammy, as well as our third MA Gabriel, consistently embody the type of care that I’d want my own family to receive. They are genuine, compassionate and kind. I notice they are naturals at helping our patients feel more comfortable during some of the scariest times of their lives,” said Dr. Kimberly Atiyeh, director of head and neck surgical oncology.

Allen said that putting patients first is second nature, something she doesn’t think twice about it.

“I love what I do,” Allen said. “And if we could add a little bit of brightness to somebody’s day, that makes it all worth it.”

Prior to joining UCHealth, Peregrina worked in hospice care. With a natural gift of helping people who need added compassion, support and care, she values the chance to make real connections with patients.

“We treat people the way we would treat our grandparents,” said Peregrina. “I don’t give it a second thought. It’s automatic for both of us.”

Allen and Peregrina moved to Colorado from opposite ends of the country, Florida and California, respectively. Both have been working in patient-focused professions and enjoy being colleagues at UCHealth.

“We’re a great team,” said Allen. “Without one succeeding, none of us are going to succeed. So we all succeed together.”