UPHS – Marquette Heroes: Joy Polich

What is your official title?
I am a Financial Liaison for the Cancer Suite.

How did you come into this position?
I started off in the Billing Department when this hospital was MGH. Then I took a job as a financial liaison where I started to find out about different programs that our hospital had during the transition to help patients with billing and financial relief. As that happened, I started to branch off and see what public assistance there was to help patients. When that blossomed, I found out about the Cancer Care of Marquette County. Cancer patients have always had a soft spot in my heart, so I always leaned towards that.

What is it about cancer patients that gives you a soft spot?
I played an active role in caregiving with my father when he was ill and until he passed away. Then, three years ago, I was diagnosed with cancer, and I saw firsthand what it’s like to be diagnosed and go through treatment. Finally, I became a board member of Cancer Care of Marquette County. 

What’s a typical day like for you
I don’t really know if there is a typical day. We make sure that patients have access to their medication. We make sure that prior authorizations are done. If co-pays are too high, we search national websites if we need to to get co-pay assistance. We also make sure that the medications are there, along with prior authorizations, and ensure there’s less on the patient’s plate to be able to get their medications. 

What does it mean to you to help these patients?
It is just something that I feel I need to do. Talking about it hard for me because I don’t expect to be recognized. I feel that everyone should give back to their community. I’m grateful that something that I volunteer at, I can work into my day-to-day life. I feel pretty lucky. The patients are great and grateful and I don’t expect recognition for what we do. Everyone in our cancer center works really hard and plays an integral part in what we do.

What are some of your interests outside of work?
I like to garden, walking, fishing and biking. I’m an outdoorsy person, not so much in the winter but I also do summertime sports and have a couple of dogs. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends.

What is your favorite part about working at UPHS-Marquette?
Just the different people I come into contact with, hearing their stories, finding out who they are, and learning how to help. Everyone has a different story and every story makes you a better person and a better employee.