Hi, everyone. Welcome to Your Stories, a podcast series on how Costco benefits are changing the lives of Costco employees and their families. I’m your host, Martha Craig. Today, we’re chatting with Roechell Isom. Welcome, Roechell, and thanks for joining us.
Thank you.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. What kind of work do you do?

Well, right now, I am at home, but the work that I once did was I was teaching for a while until I had an illness that happened last year.

Okay. And what kind of classes were you teaching?

I was teaching third through fifth grades in elementary school. Uh huh.

And I understand that you were interested in pursuing a different degree that you were working on.

Yes, that’s correct.

And what was that in?

Oh, no. I want to go back to law school. Mmm. Mmm.

And any special area that interested you?

Uh, family law. Family law.

And do you have any kids? Either human or furry?

Uh, I have two kids. They’re grown.

Grown?

Yes.

Uh, and what are their names?

Uh, Anthony Junior and Angela.

Oh, great. Well, I understand your husband is the one who works for Costco. What does he do there?

He worked for Member Services. Mmm.

And which location does he work at?

He’s in Northeast Ogden location, which is in Naperville, Illinois.

Uh huh. And how long has he been with Costco?

Uh, two years now. As of July, it will be two years.

So what sorts of things do you like to do in your spare time?

Uh, I love reading. I do a lot of exercising. Uh huh. So, I am part of a book club. I love to research, um, also our garden as well.

Now, do you have any book recommendations for our audience?

Um, well, I’m working on one right now. Um, Faith and Healing. So that’s one of the books that’s kind of interesting.

Oh, great. Now, as I’m sure you know, Costco places a high priority on the health and well-being of their employees and their employees’ families. That’s what drives them to offer such valuable benefit programs. But to make the most of their benefits, employees and their spouses or domestic partners need to know what they’ve got. Costco created the We’re in This Together pledge to encourage employees to do their part, to get to know their benefits and to use them to improve their emotional, financial and physical well-being. So, tell me, have you and your husband had a chance to take the 2023 pledge?

Yes, we sure did.

And what motivated you to take that step?

What motivated us was seeing how well Costco takes care of their employees. And we wanted to be a part of that.

In addition to the pledge, Costco created the well-being website on wittpledge.com. You can also get there through Costcobenefits.com each month. It supports employees and their spouses or domestic partners with inspiring articles, webinars, videos and podcasts like this one, as well as information about benefit resources that can help you improve your well-being. For example, this month we’re highlighting relationships with loved ones and co-workers and how to keep them healthy. Have you found inspiration, learned something new or discovered a benefit resource on your well-being website?

Yes, I have.

And what specifically inspired you?

Um, well, living with diabetes and having heart disease, I was looking up the recipes that’s on the website for healthy eating and also the Resources For Living. Um, the opportunity to have free sessions when needed. And that’s been very helpful for me as well.

Yeah. What Costco benefits are you currently using or have you used in the past?

I am using the Talkspace for the six free sessions, therapy sessions, and also, I have used 98point6. Um, and that is to be able to contact a doctor and to get information about my health and sometimes get medicine prescribed, if necessary.

Now, in the past I understand that you made particular use of Costco benefits when you were having a health crisis. Could you tell us a little bit about that?

Yes, I chose to use 2nd.MD. Um, and I was able to speak with a doctor, a specialist heart specialist, cardiologist, and he was able to look through all of my information from the previous doctors and current doctors, and he was able to assure me that the diagnosis was correct. And some of the things that I could do to help myself as well.

And did some other Costco benefits come into play at that point?

Yes, there, there’s been plenty — from my medications being covered, my hospital stay being covered through the insurance. Um, and so many other, you know, I’ve had some of the nurses to call me from Aetna and they have helped me through my crisis. And it has been, you know, very helpful to me. Um, I honestly don’t think I would be doing as well as I am right now if it were not for the support of Aetna and for Costco employees.

Now, when you heard, first heard, from the nurse who called you in the hospital, how did that go and how was the nurse helpful to you?

Uh, at first, you know, I didn’t want to talk because I’m like, okay, why are they calling me right now? I just got, like, the worst diagnosis. And, but she explained to me that they were there for me, and, and that she would call me as long as I would allow it. She would call me throughout the next six months. And, and so she assured me that they were, they were going to be there with me and for me. And if there was anything that I needed, you know, do not hesitate to call. And they stayed with me throughout the month. I think I got a call almost every two weeks. Um, and they would ask me, you know, do I need food, Do I need this? Do I need that? And, and, you know, the things I needed, they would help me get it. And it was just really beautiful.

And they offered some guidance for you as well, didn’t they, to help you get back on a road to really good health.

Yes. Yes, they did.

Could you talk a little bit about that and where you were and kind of where you are now with your fitness levels and overall physical health?

Yes. Um, I am doing, I would say, excellent from the time that I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Um, since then they, they have talked to me. They talked to me so much that I actually did a 5K for the American Heart Association last year. Um, because of the support that they gave me. And I made it through 36 sessions of cardiac rehab because of the support that I was given. Um, I mean, it was so many things that they did to help get me back on my feet, you know? So, they have really been a blessing in my life.

I’m so happy to hear that. Now, what advice do you have for people who haven’t explored and used their Costco benefits yet?

My advice would be do not sit on it. If you have needs, you know, go to the website, look it up. Don’t be afraid to talk to someone that’s part of the program. They are there to help you and they will help you. They will stick by your side. Um. They are beautiful people. I feel like they’re family. I feel like I am family to them. And it has been a beautiful relationship, being with Costco, being with Aetna and just enjoying the benefits that is available to us and the families. And, you know, it’s just, just, just really beautiful. I’m so happy. Um, I’m excited to know that all of the opportunities have been allotted to me, even though I’m just the spouse of an employee. And, and I just think that’s a beautiful relationship to have with your company.

Well, we really appreciate your time today and all the great information you’ve provided. We’re especially grateful for your story and that you’re doing so well. Thank you. We want to thank you, Roechell, for joining us today. Until next time, stay well, be safe and remember, we’re in this together.