From breathless to boundless: How AdventHealth Daytona Beach gave one local grandmother her life back

For Lenora Myers, simply breathing used to be a struggle – literally.

The Daytona Beach grandmother was hospitalized multiple times in 2023 for dangerously low oxygen levels. Doctors suspected respiratory failure, but without a clear diagnosis or consistent care, she had no way to get better – until she was referred to AdventHealth’s Community Care program.

“I was in and out of the hospital so much, I lost count,” said Myers. “Then the doctors told me about AdventHealth’s Community Care program. Once the nurse and social worker started coming to my home, everything started changing. They helped me with things I didn’t even know I needed – transportation, Medicaid, even food. And now? I feel like I’m running again.”

Community Care is a unique, free program at AdventHealth for patients who are uninsured or underinsured and struggling with complex or chronic health conditions. The program brings care directly into patients’ homes, where dedicated nurses and social workers collaborate to address both medical and social needs.

In addition to managing symptoms, the team helps remove barriers that often stand in the way of recovery – such as limited access to doctors, medications, and medical equipment, as well as challenges like a lack of insurance, food insecurity, unstable housing, and getting patients access to a payor source. By addressing these issues holistically, the program empowers patients to regain control of their health and build lasting stability.

After enrolling in the program, Myers was officially diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). With consistent care and support, she lost more than 80 pounds and gained something she hadn’t had in years: peace of mind.

At one point, Myers relied on a Trilogy machine, a type of ventilator often used by those with severe breathing issues who are just below the threshold of needing intubation. She now uses oxygen 24/7 but is continuing to make steady progress.

“I used to be scared to go to sleep without my trilogy machine. Now, I’m being weaned off the Trilogy and transitioning to a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) for my sleep apnea. I can cook, walk, even swim again,” she said.

Ashley Sherbert, licensed clinical social worker with AdventHealth Community Care, was there from the start.

“When I met Lenora, we took out a piece of paper and listed every goal she had – food, medication, transportation, income. And over time, one by one, we’ve crossed them off,” Sherbert said. “She didn’t need more discipline. She needed access. And once she had that, she soared.”

Sherbert also remembers the day things could have taken a tragic turn.

“Lenora phoned, gasping so hard she couldn’t speak. I found her in bed, and her oxygen levels were dangerously low,” she said. “I called 911, and we got her the emergency care she needed to be stabilized. And then, we made sure she had a home with power and the right equipment to come back to. That’s what this program is about – stability and dignity.”

Susan Latore, a nurse with the program, echoed Sherbert’s sentiment.

“This is the most rewarding job of my 14-year career. We go where the need is – homes, grocery stores, doctor visits – and we teach patients how to take control of their health,” Latore said. “Lenora is the perfect example of what happens when people get the support they deserve.”

Today, Myers is no longer stuck in the cycle of ER visits and hospital stays. She’s thriving with her family, and even mentoring others in her community.

“I’m so thankful to AdventHealth. They gave me my health, my home, and my hope back,” she said. “I feel like I got my life back again, and I’m not slowing down.”

Stories like Myers’ reflect AdventHealth’s larger commitment to investing in the well-being of Florida communities. In 2023 alone, AdventHealth contributed more than $16 billion to Florida’s economy and millions more to community programs and unreimbursed care for Floridians like Myers. It’s a mission-driven approach that continues to transform lives across the state, one patient at a time.