Monday May 5, 2025
The Indiana Primary Health Care Association proudly presents
Navigator Monday (NM).
Navigators are the backbone of community health centers. One of the cornerstones of navigator training in the state of Indiana, Navigator Monday provides the most thorough training for community health center navigators and all those working in the Medicaid arena.
Navigator Monday is a one-day training event that brings together Indiana Navigators, Certified Application Counselors, SHIP Counselors, and Community Health Workers, and experts in insurance enrollment (Medicaid, Marketplace, and Medicare).
This day of learning will provide you with the tools you need - plus networking opportunities, and continuing education credit.
Navigator Monday was supported by
Location:
The Founders Lodge at Camp Dellwood,
7201 Girl Scout Lane, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Date / Time:
Monday, May 5, 2025 / 8:00 am - 4:00 pm Eastern
Reflecting on an Incredible Navigator Monday
by Jenny Walden
This day always brings up powerful emotions for me. I’ve been part of many Navigator Mondays—starting as a participant and eventually becoming a provider. Over the years, I’ve met so many inspiring people, many of whom I’m still lucky to call friends. Together, we’ve celebrated life’s big milestones—graduations, marriages, births—and now, some of us are even sharing pictures of our grandchildren.
There’s a deep bond we all seem to share, rooted in our commitment to supporting those who need it most. We each have our own story that drives us—many of us have walked the very path we now help others navigate.
This year's event was truly special. The Governor officially declared it Navigator Day in the state of Indiana.
We kicked off the morning with a warm breakfast and a chance to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones. The energy was high as we moved into our CE class, where we learned strategies for building a strong Outreach Program.
Before lunch, Julia Ketner, IPHCA’s Policy Director, provided an insightful update on policy changes and offered valuable guidance to help us adapt to new processes. During lunch, we heard from PointCare, a tool that plays a crucial role in helping Hoosiers stay enrolled in Medicaid.
In the afternoon, we engaged with a panel from FSSA. This year's panel felt especially invested in listening to our voices and experiences.
As the day came to a close, IPHCA’s Lyndsey White, Director of Behavioral Health and SUD, led an uplifting session on “Recognizing, Revitalizing, and Retaining Personal Wellness.” Her presentation was a much-needed reminder of the importance of self-care in the work we do.
Finally, we wrapped up the day by honoring the Navigator of the Year (NOTY) (see below) —an inspiring end to a truly meaningful event.
Spending the day with people who understand and share the same passion for our communities was nothing short of amazing.
Until next year.
Jenny Walden with participants
IPHCA Team at lunch
Krista French with SHIP
Lyndsey White
Navigator of the Year
This year's winner is Krista French of NorthShore Health!
Huge congratulations go to all the nominees, and thanks to everyone who made nominations.
Below are the citations recieved for Kristi:
Nomination 1
We’re proud to nominate Krista French for the Navigator of the Year Award! Krista has been a vital part of NorthShore Health Centers, and her impact is felt every day by our patients, community partners, and colleagues.
🔹 Trusted Expertise: With over a decade of experience, Krista is known for providing clear, compassionate guidance to patients—ensuring they leave feeling confident and supported.
🔹 Community Favorite: Her name comes up regularly in positive social media feedback, highlighting the deep trust our community has in her.
🔹 Always Going Above and Beyond: Krista is not only an outstanding Navigator—she’s also a certified SHIP counselor, helping patients navigate both Medicaid and Medicare with ease.
🔹 Reliable and Responsive: Whether it’s late on a Friday or early Monday morning, Krista is there—responding quickly and thoroughly to anyone who needs help.
🔹 Patient Approved: Recent patients were so moved by their experience, they eagerly shared personal testimonials for her nomination.
Krista’s dedication, empathy, and excellence make her a true standout in the field. We’re honored to have her on our team!
Nomination 2
We are proud to share the heartfelt nomination of Krista French, Patient Navigator at NorthShore Health Centers, for the Navigator of the Year 2025 award.
In summer 2024, a local family faced the loss of employer-provided health insurance after 28 years. They were overwhelmed by private insurance options, misinformation, and concerns for their 23-year-old child with complex medical needs. That’s when they met Krista.
🔹 Personalized Guidance: Krista listened with care and compassion, then created a clear, step-by-step plan that included Marketplace coverage for the parents and HIP Plus for their child.
🔹 Expert Navigation: She walked them through healthcare.gov, explained plan options in detail, and ensured continuity of care by confirming that their child’s five specialists were in-network.
🔹 Ongoing Support: Krista met with the family multiple times—from their first appointment in July to a final income adjustment session on December 31. She even provided a contact in North Carolina as the family prepared to relocate.
🔹 Seamless Transition: Thanks to Krista’s dedication, their child experienced no lapse in coverage, medication, or care—critical for ongoing treatment and well-being.
🔹 Above and Beyond: From follow-up calls to helping a young adult understand their insurance, Krista’s knowledge, patience, and genuine passion for helping others made a lasting impact.
In the words of the nominator: “It’s very obvious that she goes above and beyond—it’s not just her job, but her life passion to help people.”
We are grateful to have Krista on our team and thrilled to celebrate her extraordinary work!
A well deserved winner!
Krista French
Navigator of the Year Krista French with Jenny Walden
The Nominees
Left to right:
Stephanie Reynolds Neighborhood Health Ft Wayne;
Becca Jones Neighborhood Health Richmond;
Christina Partington Centerstone Health;
Beatriz Preciado Florez Health Net;
Krista French NorthShore Health Center;
Dawn Beadle Family Health Center
Dawn Beadle / Family Health Center
Nominated by Dawnann Sinclair
I would like to say first, Dawn inspired me to become a Navigator. I was a Registration Coordinator, when Dawn started working at the Family Health Center. I had the privilege of working with her briefly before she went to our Pike County office. She helped me get ready for the Navigator exam and anyone that is a Navigator knows how fun that test is. Dawn has always been generous with her knowledge and resources. As a coworker she demonstrates teamwork and dedication.
As a Navigator she displays caring, empathy and boundless commitment to our clients. She always goes above and beyond. Just one example, last summer Family Health Center had a mom that needed to take her son that was having a behavioral health emergency to the emergency room.
They did not have enough money for the trip and did not want the expense of an ambulance ride. Dawn's fast thinking and collaboration with our Revenue Cycle Department made it possible for the family to get a gas card so they could go to the emergency room where the child was seen, and their concerns addressed. Another example of Dawn's dedication to clients, last year she took the time out of her personal life off the clock to take a client in need of housing to an appointment. There was no time to find transportation, the office manager was only going to be at the office for a few minutes so Dawn had to act fast. We found out later we aren't allowed to do that. Oops. Sometimes empathy and compassion can cause us to be reminded by our supervisors that we must set boundaries. That is hard when you just want to be there for people.
We have a favorite saying among the Navigators "better to do it first and ask for forgiveness later." We cannot win all the battles, but we can sure try, and that's what Dawn does. She doesn't just work as a Navigator, she is a Navigator always seeking out resources so she can better serve the community where she lives and works. She reaches out to our local food banks and keeps a list of resources for housing to share with our other Navigators and the clients she serves. She makes sure the clients get to their appointments by setting up transportation. She sends helpful updates via email on what is going on with the ever-changing world of Medicaid and Medicare. I think every time I have asked her for a form, she has it ready. It occurred to me when I tried to think of specific examples of how she serves her clients, I couldn't give more specific dates and occurrences because as Navigators we just quietly go about helping people, getting the job done, and moving on to the next one without a thought of the true impact we have.
Dawn works tirelessly with our clients to make sure they are not leaving without feeling someone listened to their challenges and she did her very best to help them overcome the barriers to healthcare, transportation, housing, and food insecurities. Family Health Center and the community it serves is blessed to have her on our team.
Beatriz Preciado Florez / Health Net
I am delighted to nominate Beatriz for Navigator of the Year for the State of Indiana. Over the last seven years, I have had the pleasure to work with Beatriz as a navigator, trainer and competent leader.
As the outreach & enrollment Manager for HealthNet. I am well aware of the importance of creating an environment where the patients feel cared for and supported navigating the complicated healthcare system. We want to ensure that all patients receive quality care and having appropriate insurance, is vital to getting that care.
Beatriz is committed to helping the patients in our community receive the care they deserve and goes above and beyond to help them find the insurance that works best for them and their families. Beatriz never hesitates to support the enrollment team when questions or concerns arise. She makes herself available to not only her team but all support staff at HealthNet. On one occasion I had to prepare to go on sick leave for an upcoming back surgery. I had to be off almost 12 weeks or more. I told my manager not to worry because our team would be in good hands with Beatriz in charge. Beatriz demonstrated great leadership skills and keep our team moving in the right direction during my absent. The team did not lack anything and the great reports of her humble but precise leadership was well noted by all the other managers in the organization.
Outside of her training skills and knowledge, Beatriz covers when team members leave, she covers the newborn reports, time and attendance and many varies administration duties as needed. Beatriz has been a great confidant and support to me as well as Healthnet. Beatriz’s patience and determination to solve any concerns or issues that may hinder our community from receiving unbiases health care and available services has made a huge difference in the lives of patients. Beatriz’s selfless commitment does not go unnoticed.
Beatriz is devoted to working with the underserved and it shows in everything she does. Beatriz wears many other hats of compassion outside her work here at HealthNet. She serves on a few boards and mentorship programs in her community. She displays a genuine concern for people and is always willing to enhance her knowledge and skills to provide high quality services to all people. Real dedication and loyalty are rare. And I cannot express my gratitude to Beatriz Preciado Flores enough for her many years of her unwavering service. Beatriz is truly deserving of this this Navigator of the year award. Thank you for everything that you do.
Stephanie Reynolds / Neighborhood Health Ft Wayne
Nominated by Renee Gaza
I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to Stephanie the services she provided me during a difficult time in life several years ago. In late 2015, I contracted the West Nile Virus, which would turn my life upside down in a matter of days from the bite of an infected mosquito.
Over the next several months, I received medical attention from twenty specialized doctors, two local hospitals, and a rehabilitation facility where I essentially had to learn how to live life again. Given the emergency of my quickly deteriorating health, I had to be taken to the nearest local hospital to address my life-threatening conditions. As such, I was not aware of the facility being an “out-of-network" for my insurance. at is not something you put into consideration or think about in an emergency: to do your research on whether or not a hospital or doctor is “in-network".
The truth of it was that for the next months, I would not be in the frame of mind to even make any decisions about my healthcare even less about choosing a facility that would be "in-network". Fortunately, after six intense months, I was on my way to recovery and out of hospitals and rehabilitation facilities, but then came the medical bill. After having survived, I was now faced with an insurmountable, unmanageable medical bill that was beyond the bounds of what I could pay as a retired, fixed-income senior citizen. This is where my journey truly began. As a patient at Neighborhood Health Clinic, I was blessed to encounter Ms. Reynolds. I had limited knowledge of today's health care or the ever-changing insurance policies. Ms. Reynolds was able to meet with me and gave me hope that she could assist me. After working together for a few months, Ms. Reynolds informed me that, given my emergent circumstances of my healthcare emergency, I would be financially alleviated from the medical bills accrued. One page is not enough to detail how impactful Ms. Reynold's was to my life. As I write this, I keenly remember Ms. Reynold's heartfelt attitude and sincerity towards my burden. She took it on as if her own and resolved it. As a senior citizen with limited resources and advocates, it would have been impossible for me to pay off that debt and still live a decent life. I am very thankful for Ms. Reynolds, the impact she had on my life, and the impact she continues to have in the lives of others.
I received Ms. Reynolds’ assistance and services for roughly one year with several phone calls and meetings as necessary. She was very prompt and transparent with any updates during this process to resolve my ongoing medical situation and burdens.
Ms. Reynolds, who is the navigator at N C in Fort Wayne, went above and beyond with her services with my situation that was very complex and difficult to manage as a senior citizen that is on a monthly fixed incom.
Becca Jones / Neighborhood Health Center
Nominated by April Limburg
“The Lone Assister” Becca began working at Neighborhood Health Center in August 2023. As an Enrollment & Outreach Specialist, Becca is a Navigator, SHIP counselor, Certified Application Counselor and participates in community outreach events and assists patients with Sliding Fee applications.
Becca is a true advocate for Neighborhood Health Center’s patients and the members of the communities we serve. In the 19 months since Becca began working for Neighborhood Health Center, she has directly helped 960 people in Wayne, Union and Fayette Counties.
In her role, Becca helps people who need insurance and assists in closing the gap that is preventing a client/patient/community member from accessing healthcare. For every person she assists with obtaining the coverage they need, Becca helps them through the entire process. She is a true example of what a Navigator should be for the patients of NHC and the communities she works in.
One example of Becca’s commitment to helping people in the community, even if they are not Neighborhood Health Center patients, took place in the fall of 2024 during the Medicare open enrollment period. A couple called Becca because of these changes and asked for help in deciding on a Medicare Advantage plan. Becca helped the wife set up her Medicare account and walked her through the process of selecting a plan and completing her enrollment. Becca also assisted the husband in selecting a plan and completing his enrollment, and later assisted with verifying the plan was set up. The couple was so grateful for Becca’s help. This is just one story of many that we receive about Becca.
It is important to state, over 80% of the people who Becca helped with Medicare questions during Medicare open enrollment were not patients of Neighborhood Health Center. She continues to demonstrate a strong commitment to all the people in the communities we serve but also helps improve access to and timeliness of health care services regardless of their ability to pay. Becca is a champion for every person she encounters and helps them to navigate their individual situation the best way possible.
Christina Partington / Centerstone Health Services
Nominated by Keithetta Mauder LPN
I have worked with Chris for several years now. She is always a professional with patients and helpful with staff. She frequently answers questions and concerns related to insurance and is always willing to assist. Since chris is one of our office professionals and I am clinical wokers we do not work side by but frequently refer our patients to her and without hesitation she is will to assist them. As with most offices we have staffing turnovers which makes her job more hectic and requires her to multitask which show her skills as a professional. She has great communication skills and our patients leave feeling as if their concerns are heard and that when possible there is a resolution or if needed a follow up will be made. I cannot express all that she does, but she is invaluable as a coworker and navigator in our office
Indiana Navigator Day
Monday 5th May was proclaimed Indiana Navigator Day by the Indiana Governor, Mike Braun!
Click the image to see the full proclamation.
