Meet Danielle Shea, UniCare Social Work Case Manager

Danielle has been with UniCare for three years, working in our Medical Management Department as part of the Whole Health, Whole You team. As a social work case manager, she collaborates with members to determine their individual needs and connect them with community resources, such as support groups and local elder service agencies.

"My colleagues are some of the most compassionate and thoughtful people I have met, and I truly feel we make a difference in the lives of the members we work with,” says Danielle.

Danielle’s primary goal is to ensure members never feel alone and that they know UniCare’s Whole Health, Whole You team is a group of supportive health professionals that members can turn to at any time for help.

When a member has a new health diagnosis, they may feel alone and experience high levels of stress and uncertainty about what it means. Members will ask Danielle how to connect with others who have been in a similar situation. She is dedicated to helping each member individually by completing thorough searches for personalized support groups, one-on-one peer support, and any other resources that may be available. Numerous members have said that connecting with others has been so essential for them as they move forward with their new diagnosis. When Danielle can connect a member to a larger support community, she knows she helped widen their circle and provide them with resources they may not have been aware of otherwise. “It is a privilege to be let into the inner workings of someone’s life, and that is something I never forget.”

Danielle also provides members with information on community resources for support groups, financial assistance, meals, transportation, and much more. For those who need ongoing support, she provides a listening ear and helps them navigate what is available in their local community. “I come to work every day with the mission to support our members and make their lives a little bit easier.”

As a social worker, Danielle looks at things from the perspective of the person in their environment, as well as the multitude of factors in members’ lives that impact their health and well-being. And one thing Danielle is always amazed by: “the resiliency of our members.”

UniCare’s Whole Health, Whole You program is always just a phone call away for our members, and associates like Danielle are always here to help.

How does Danielle stay healthy?
Danielle enjoys cooking and her goal is to try a new healthy recipe a few times a month. One of her favorite pastimes is walking around the local lake with her husband and rescue hound mix. And when she’s not cooking or walking, Danielle’s using her indoor cycling bike or utilizing meditation apps for stress management.

How does Danielle give back to her community?
Danielle loves participating in UniCare Volunteer Days with her colleagues! Last year, she volunteered at a food pantry and plans to do the same again this year. Recently, Danielle led a UniCare team for Project Bread’s Virtual Walk for Hunger – she finds it so rewarding to be able to raise funds for organizations like Project Bread that help members find statewide food resources.