Patti Lane’s professional journey is rooted in a deeply personal experience that shaped
her career aspirations and motivated her to ensure every patient that she meets receives
the care they need.
Lane was introduced to the challenges and rewards of health care when she took on
the role of caregiver for her mother, where she saw first-hand the difficulties that
can arise when trying to schedule appointments, track health information and manage
medications on behalf of a loved one.
This formative experience led her to pursue a career dedicated to helping others traverse
the complexities of the health care system, a commitment she continues today as a
patient navigator for USF Tampa General Physicians (USFTGP).
“I remember those feelings so well — waiting to hear back from doctors and hoping
for information about my mother’s condition,” Lane said. “Patients and families are
often scared and overwhelmed, and I am so glad that I can help to eliminate that confusion.
I wish someone had been in this role to help me when I was caring for my mother.”
Lane relocated to Florida in 2022 to become one of the inaugural employees at USFTGP
as a patient navigator. Since joining the team, she has worked tirelessly to assist
patients, guiding them through the complicated world of medical jargon and sometimes
lengthy wait times to promote timely and consistent access to care.
For her exceptional commitment to patients and her embodiment of USF Health’s core
values, Lane was recently nominated as a Culture Champion, an accolade reserved for
individuals who consistently exceed expectations and inspire others within the organization.
Patti Lane and Renée Dubault posing together.
“Patti’s ability to demonstrate professionalism, compassion, accountability, respect
and excellence has made her a trusted resource for patients and colleagues alike,”
said Renée Dubault, chief operating officer and associate executive director of business
operations for USF Health.
“She holds a key role in the USF Health Department of Internal Medicine, and she consistently
exceeds the customer service standards required by USF Health and USFTGP.”
“Her dedication to our patients and team members exemplifies what it means to be a
Culture Champion,” said Mark Moseley, MD, MHA, CPE, president of USF Tampa General
Physicians and professor and chair of the USF Health Department of Internal Medicine
at the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “Patti is an invaluable member of our
team.”
The importance of patient navigation roles, like the one Lane fulfills, is gaining
increasing recognition across the health care industry. These positions serve as vital
touchpoints for patients, helping them understand complex medical information, manage
appointments and maintain access to high-quality care providers.
“I am very grateful to be recognized with this honor. I hope that, moving forward,
more departments and health care administrators will understand the importance of
this role and provide these services to patients,” said Lane.