Moving Relationships Forward: Meet Jessica

Jessica Collins joined the Accessia Health family in February as our Patient and Provider Engagement Manager, bringing a passion for connection and collaboration. Through her work in patient and provider engagement, she is focused on building partnerships, strengthening outreach, and helping more individuals and families become aware of the programs and support available through Accessia Health.

What inspired you to join Accessia Health, and what drew you to this work?

I’ve spent my career supporting individuals and families navigating the complex healthcare journeys of rare and chronic conditions. What drew me to Accessia Health is the belief in a holistic approach, recognizing that access to care isn’t just about coverage, but about meeting people where they are, giving them back control, and providing choices in managing their care. By offering a comprehensive approach that combines financial support, education, and human connection, Accessia Health supports key factors helping individuals and families live the quality of life they choose.

The commitment to removing barriers to care while truly listening to the needs of the communities we serve is what deeply resonated with me. It felt like a natural continuation of the work I have always been passionate about; helping people access the care and resources they need when they need them most.

Can you share a bit about your role and how it supports patients and providers?

In my role as Patient and Provider Engagement Manager, I focus on building and strengthening relationships with healthcare providers, advocacy organizations, and community partners. These partnerships are critical because they help connect individuals to Accessia Health’s programs at the right time in their journey.

By working closely with partners, we are able to increase awareness of available resources, streamline referral pathways, and ensure eligible patients can more easily find and access the support they need. Ultimately, my role helps bridge the gap between patients, providers, and the resources that can make a meaningful difference in their care.

In your early time here, what has stood out to you most about the individuals and communities we serve?

The first word that comes to my mind is resilience! The strength of those we serve when faced with the complexities and challenges of managing a rare or chronic condition has been truly inspiring. Many are navigating not only their diagnosis, but also financial strain, change in family roles, access barriers, and uncertainty about what comes next. What strikes me most is how they transform these challenges into advocacy and hope for others facing similar journeys.

The commitment and support from advocacy groups, caregivers, and providers have also stood out to me, reinforcing how vital organizations like Accessia Health are in connecting the dots and creating meaningful timely pathways to care.

Your work focuses on engagement and partnerships. How do you see those relationships helping to expand awareness and access to our programs?

Partnerships are essential to expanding both awareness and access, as many individuals first learn about support programs through trusted sources such as providers, advocacy organizations, and community partners. Strengthening these relationships allows us to connect people to our programs at critical points in their healthcare journey.

These partnerships also provide valuable insight into the unique needs of each community, enabling us to tailor support in ways that are both relevant and impactful. When organizations collaborate effectively, they create more coordinated systems of care that help individuals not only start but stay on treatment.

I see my role as deepening these trusted relationships so we can integrate seamlessly into existing care networks, reduce barriers, and reach people at the moment they need support most.

Looking ahead, what are you most excited about as you begin building connections and strengthening outreach efforts?

I’m most excited about the opportunity to deepen existing relationships while expanding our network in meaningful ways. There’s a lot of potential to build new partnerships and strengthen current ones, creating smoother, more accessible pathways for people seeking support.

I’m also energized by the opportunity to tell our story, clearly communicating who we are, how we help, and why our work matters. Increasing our visibility means more people can discover our support services when they need them.

Ultimately, what drives me is impact. The more effectively we strengthen partnerships and expand outreach, the more individuals and families we can reach, helping them access critical resources and maintain a better quality of life.

Outside of your work, what are some of your interests or hobbies that you enjoy?

Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my husband, Tyler, and our two dogs, Sadie and Moose. We love going outdoors together, especially taking them on trail walks whenever we can.

I also enjoy working out, antique shopping, and thrifting. There’s something special about finding unique vintage pieces with a story behind them to bring into our home. Living in Florida, one of my favorite ways to stay connected with family is FaceTiming with my two nieces in Central New York, they always brighten my day!

If you enjoyed learning more about Jessica and her role at Accessia Health, we encourage you to sign up for our Accessia Health Foundation newsletter, a monthly email from Sean Haynie, Director of Development and Growth, with highlights that feature our staff and leadership team, Foundation news, ways to get involved with our organization, and more.

Show your support for Accessia Health by making a donation today that goes directly towards funding critical services—like financial assistance, counseling, and advocacy—for individuals living with rare and chronic health conditions.