Overview
Patrick Hewes joined Pitta & Baione LLP after working at the Northwell Health World Trade Center Health Program Clinical Center of Excellence. This experience provided him with valuable technical knowledge of the Health Program’s policies and procedures, as well as a strong personal commitment to client care at the vital intersection of health and law for 9/11 responders and survivors. While Patrick previously worked as a city planner and consultant, the events of September 11, 2001 profoundly influenced him and led him to reevaluate his perspective and ultimately change his profession.
On the day of the attacks, Patrick was in Manhattan. After that terrible morning, he ended up “seeking out” his community, spending the day with family in Greenwich Village. He felt the profound impact of the events on the city, its communities, and the country. While he did not personally lose a loved one, he is close to many who did. This experience drew him into the public discourse surrounding New York’s future rebuilding efforts. Following 9/11, he actively participated in public exercises focused on future visioning and workshops dedicated to the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site. He closely monitored the ongoing debates among elected officials, government agencies, planning and design professionals, building owners, and the citizens of New York City.
These experiences led Patrick to a realization: his city planning career, while certainly engaged in part of the “great American democratic experiment,” mostly called for close attention to land use regulation. The work lacked the direct human connection he truly valued. He desired a role centered on helping individuals one-to-one.
He found his calling when a friend informed him about an opening at one of the five WTCHP Clinical Centers of Excellence Responder clinics. Patrick quickly secured the position, immersing himself in outreach and retention efforts. This role perfectly aligned with his people-first approach. His days were dedicated to directly engaging with first responders, addressing their diverse medical and logistical inquiries, and guiding them through the annual and periodic appointment intake process. This included assisting with research questionnaires, consent forms, arranging office visits, appointment preparation, and all the necessary steps to get “in the door,” even providing details on parking or mass transit, sometimes preparing bus schedules or offering alternatives for those with elevator anxiety. He diligently sought out members who had lost touch, successfully reconnecting with many who were grateful to be re-contacted, often after suffering from long-term medical conditions. Additionally, he collaborated closely with the clinical staff, providing medical review support, monitoring care, approving authorizations for care, and unfortunately, handling difficult end-of-life communications.
He extended his expertise to those not yet enrolled by sharing his public speaking, public involvement, and Q&A skills beyond the office. A continuing highlight was presenting the health program’s mission at New York City Police Department and other City workforce union meetings, some during early morning roll calls. It was at one of these roll calls in 2017 that he first met Pitta & Baione LLP Partner Christopher J. Baione, who was speaking about the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.
Since then, Patrick intersected often with Pitta & Baione’s community outreach initiatives during union-sponsored 9/11 educational seminars. There, he became better acquainted with Partners (and brothers) Christopher J. Baione and Matthew Baione, and was profoundly impressed by their professionalism, humility, and dedication.
“When I first met Patrick, it was 4AM on a weekday during a law enforcement roll call. It was pitch black out and the streets of Manhattan were silent. But Patrick’s energy and drive was bright and his words were loud and strong – I knew he was special at that moment. He was determined to sign up anyone and everyone who was affected with a 9/11 illness and he did it with ease and vigor.” – Christopher Baione
Seeking professional growth and eager to apply his skills to directly help 9/11-affected individuals, Patrick recognized a perfect fit and was welcomed to the Pitta & Baione LLP team at the start of 2022.
Patrick’s Role as a Client Health Benefits Coordinator
Patrick possesses invaluable insider knowledge of the WTCHP, understanding its strengths and weaknesses, the nuances of medical review and standards, common issues like lost paperwork, and how to overcome bureaucratic hurdles. His unique ability lies in translating this experience directly into exceptional client support.
Patrick is dedicated to a client-centered approach, seeing individuals, not just “cases.” He empathetically guides clients through complex and often frustrating systems, particularly when they are facing serious health conditions and suffering. By listening, explaining, and understanding their perspective, he empowers them to take ownership of their decisions regarding health monitoring, medical documentation, and program processes. At Pitta & Baione, LLP, Patrick provides the consistent support needed to keep clients progressing through the program’s steps, even in challenging circumstances.
- Troubleshooting WTCHP enrollment: guiding clients through eligibility, program requirements, and required paperwork
- Managing appointments: ensuring clients know when and where to receive needed health services
- Using the program’s web accounts, and patient portals: walking clients through logging in, uploading records, and tracking case status
- Coordinating with the legal team: Patrick ensures all Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) and WTCHP responsibilities are seamlessly coordinated, handled correctly, and program milestones are observed on time
- Holding WTCHP accountable: when cases stall or communication lags, Patrick follows up and makes sure nothing is lost in the shuffle
Patrick believes every conversation with a client should affirm the client’s agency and independence:
If you respect the person you’re working for, and you share with them what you’re doing, they begin to realize they have more control than they thought. My role is to help them see that they are at the center of the process, and I’m here to walk them through that process.
Patrick is fueled by engaging clients in genuine dialogue. While he appreciates the importance of the technical work, what excites him is building back-and-forth trust. As he says, “We’re at our best when we’re helping one another, like we were on 9/12,” and that spirit is what he tries to bring to every interaction he has with Pitta & Baione’s clients.
What Clients Say About Patrick
Patrick’s client-centered approach has made him one of the most beloved team members at Pitta & Baione, LLP. Clients often speak of his patience, helpfulness, and empathy:
“I enjoyed working with Pitta & Baione, and Patrick Hewes in particular. The subject is a stressful one, but the firm is very professional. I communicated regularly with Patrick, who was patient and took care to answer all my questions in detail. I highly recommend Patrick and his firm.”
“Mr. Patrick Hewes, the Client Health Benefits Coordinator at Pitta & Baione, has helped me tremendously with my WTC claim. Mr. Hewes was always very thorough and very informative in answering all of my questions. He would set up a date and time for a status call and was always punctual. My claim was a difficult one, but … Excellent job, Patrick Hewes!”
“A special thank you to the team from Pitta & Baione and especially Patrick Hewes for all your hard work on my case to date. Patrick is a pleasure to work with and an exceptional professional; responsive, thorough, and empathetic. He has been a strong advocate for me from the beginning and has provided sound and cogent advice and guidance throughout the entire process. Patrick fought vigorously for me while being patient, respectful, and polite to all individuals he encountered on my behalf. I strongly recommend Patrick and the entire team from Pitta & Baione, and look forward to continuing to work with you.”
These reviews reflect what colleagues and clients see every day: Patrick’s ability to combine detailed knowledge with genuine care.
