Staff photo by Fritz Busch Brown County Public Health Registered Nurse Melissa Dallenbach received the South Country Health Care Diamond Award last December for exemplary leadership, passion, commitment at a conference with county commissioners and legislators.

NEW ULM — Brown County Public Health Nurse Melissa Dallenbach said one of the most fulfilling things she does is helping an individual on medical assistance get a dental appointment or find a dental provider.

With her public health expertise and deep understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations, Dallenbach plays a key role in ensuring residents receive the support and services they need.

Also a community care connector, she works directly with South Country health plan members in Brown County. South Country serves Brown and Sibley Counties and five other counties farther north and east.

“I love connecting with South Country Medical Assistance (MA) and MinnesotaCare members–people who do not have case management services and may not know where to turn. Getting a dental appointment if not a big issue for most people, but for someone on MA, it is really a huge challenge. I love being able to get them a dental appointment or find a dental provider and other resources they might not know even exist,” she said.

Dallenbach builds trust with members with patience, kindness and listening closely to what they tell her.

“Many times, members can be frustrated and just want to know they’ve been heart. I can do that for them. I get lots of calls from people thinking of enrolled with South Country. They tell me of about health concerns and if the medications they receive are covered, and if they can still see their provider. Usually they can. The South Country network is pretty big,” she said.

Dallenbach said often times, callers don’t understand MA and Medicare supplements.

“I let them know what their choices are with South Country. MA and Medicare supplements can be rolled into one product. The other choice is for clients to get a supplement through another provider,” she said.

A Brown County Public Health employee for eight years, Dallenbach received the South Country Health Care Diamond Award last year for exemplary leadership, passion, and commitment.

While rewarding, she said the work can be stressful.

“I try to make sure after a hard day, I have downtime at home. I am an animal lover, so I look forward to going home to care for may cats, dogs, and chickens every night. That’s work too, but relaxing work,” she said.

Dallenbach invited people with questions to call her at Brown County Public Health, 507-233-6820.