Voices of Accesso Care: The Intern Series

Part 2｜From Data to Impact: Nevena’s Approach to Human-Centered Care

Rethinking Data and Care

At Accesso Care, we often talk about the importance of combining data with human-centered care—but what does that actually look like in practice?

Recently, I had the chance to speak with Nevena Xiao, our Outreach and Data Intern, whose work sits right at the intersection of analysis and community engagement.

Nevena is currently a Master’s student at the University of Pennsylvania studying Social Policy and Data Analytics, with a background in social data science. What stood out to me most was how she thinks about impact—not just as numbers or models, but as something deeply connected to people, trust, and communication.

From Data to Direction

Before joining Accesso Care, Nevena saw data and outreach as two separate areas: one technical, one relational. But her experience here quickly changed that perspective.

“Data helps set direction, and outreach is how those insights turn into real impact.”

In her work, data is not just about identifying patterns—it's about making better, more intentional decisions. From mapping areas with higher care demand to understanding service gaps between caregivers and families, data becomes a tool to guide where and how we show up as an organization.

Centering Trust in Outreach

But what really defines her approach is how she balances that with empathy.

When I asked what matters most in community outreach, her answer was simple: Trust.

Families are often making deeply personal and emotional decisions when it comes to care. Building trust means more than providing information—it requires understanding community needs, communicating thoughtfully, and showing up with consistency and respect.

Seeing the People Behind the Data

She also emphasized something that’s easy to overlook in data-driven work:

“The data represents real people and real needs.”

Behind the scenes, much of her work may not always be visible. But it plays a critical role in helping the team operate more effectively—focusing outreach efforts, improving service alignment, and ultimately making it easier for families to find care they can truly trust.

Clarity, Confidence, and Care

When asked about her impact, she spoke simply: helping families navigate care with greater clarity and confidence.

To her, Accesso Care is “a place where care feels both professional and personal, built on trust, quality, and a genuine understanding of families’ needs.”

Where Impact Takes Shape

Conversations like this are a reminder that social impact doesn’t come from data alone — or outreach alone — but from the way the two come together to serve real people, in real communities.