Meet Community Health Worker Ivy Nataloni: Connecting patients to community resources

For Ivy Nataloni, there’s nothing more satisfying than helping someone find the resources they need to make their lives better. A community health worker II, she found her calling at The Wright Center for Community Health, where she works with the new street medicine team to help people experiencing homelessness find transportation to and from doctor’s appointments, obtain health insurance, and secure housing, food, and other resources.

Keep reading to learn more about Nataloni’s role at The Wright Center – and what she loves to do when she’s not connecting people to community resources. 

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A: I grew up in Dunmore and graduated from Holy Cross High School. After high school, I moved to Peckville and enrolled at Empire Beauty School. I quickly realized that cosmetology was not my calling, so I went on to pursue a career as an admissions specialist at a local career school. I then moved on to a local preschool, and finally ended up working directly with underserved populations in a school-based setting.

This is where I realized that working with people who are facing hardships is truly my calling, and I wanted to do more to serve that population, specifically in a healthcare setting. When I learned that there was an opening for a community health worker at The Wright Center, I knew it was the opportunity I had been searching for. I submitted an application, and I was fortunate enough to be quickly called in for an interview. Upon being hired, I started a 12-week training course through the Northeast Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center.

Every step of my career has led me to this role, and I feel grateful to have found work that allows me to combine my passion for helping others with the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the patients and communities we serve.

Q: What is a community health worker?

A: A community health worker, or CHW, is a frontline public health professional who serves as a trusted bridge between vulnerable communities and healthcare or social service systems. In a healthcare setting, community health workers focus on helping patients address barriers that affect their overall well-being. These typically include access to food, clothing, housing, childcare, transportation, utilities, and other essential resources.

A significant part of what we do involves helping uninsured patients obtain health insurance. All community health workers at The Wright Center are trained to complete Medicaid applications on behalf of the patients, and we are all licensed Pennie Exchange Assisters, which means we can help educate and guide patients through health insurance options through Pennsylvania’s official state-based health insurance marketplace.

I think what makes me different from the other community health workers at The Wright Center is that my role focuses heavily on our street medicine initiative. I have had the privilege of being a part of the street medicine team since January 2026. Twice a week, we go to a local day shelter, the Community Intervention Center, and treat patients on our mobile medical unit called Driving Better Health.

After a patient sees the provider, they’ll meet with me to discuss their needs and explore potential solutions to what can sometimes seem like impossible situations. This is my most meaningful work.

I have also spent a significant amount of time working with the geriatric population. I am passionate about every aspect of my role as a community health worker, but I am always particularly eager to lend a helping hand to our geriatric patients. 

Q: What’s your favorite part of your job?

A: My favorite part of my job is the human connection. Building trust with the patients we serve, empowering them to overcome systemic barriers, and helping them access life’s necessities is a very humbling and rewarding experience.

I also enjoy networking to expand access to resources and increase the support we can offer our patients. Creating relationships with like-minded organizations to serve our patients more directly and effectively is an essential part of this role and a part I very much value.

All of the community health workers at The Wright Center do an excellent job adding resources to our collection as we network and making sure all of our resources stay updated.

Q: What do you wish people knew about how community health workers can help people at The Wright Center?

A: One thing I wish people knew is that community health workers at The Wright Center are able to help with so much more than just basic resources and insurance.

For instance, I had the opportunity to help a patient in need of English as a Second Language classes enroll with their local school district, obtain an individualized education plan (known as an IEP), get involved with extracurricular activities, and get connected with behavioral health services. We have also helped patients find pro bono legal services. Sometimes, we lend a sympathetic ear when a patient is feeling overwhelmed or discouraged.

Community health workers at The Wright Center are able to help connect patients with these resources and more. We have the capability to research organizations in real time to find out who can meet the patient’s needs. This allows us to tailor each interaction to the patient’s unique circumstances and provide personalized support. 

Q: When you’re not helping people live healthier lives, what do you like to do?

A: Outside of work, I spend most of my time laughing with my fiancé and nurturing the imagination and spirited personality of our 11-year-old son. We have an 8-year-old Yorkie who fills our lives with joy and recently adopted a cat, which completed our little family.

I love to read, and I especially love to cook. I am well known in our family for my homemade ravioli, cappelletti, and baked macaroni and cheese. I love spending time in nature and have always had a passion for photography and journaling. I often put my hair and makeup skills to use when a friend or family member needs some help primping for an event. I have always found the greatest joy in helping others, and I feel blessed to work for a company that encourages my compassionate nature to shine.