YEARS
Spring 2022
DEAR FRIENDS, For a leader, an organization’s 50th anniversary typically happens once in a lifetime, so I am delighted to enjoy this milestone with you! The entire CCI team has been celebrating the present while reflecting on our rich past. We are excited about a year that cherishes where we are and leverages staff and stakeholder enthusiasm to kickstart a new era in our history. We must begin with appreciation and acknowledgment of how far CCI has come. In 1972, we opened our doors to the community with a single location in Rockville that offered just one health service. Today, I am pleased to say that our team manages seven integrated health center locations and five Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) sites in two counties, offering nine essential health services for patients at every life stage. Our expansion has been a response to community needs. Over the years, we have seen a need through observation, patient reports, and stakeholder engagement—and we filled the gap. We are where we are today because we listen and represent the people we serve more than anything else. We are the community. That’s who we are now, that’s who we have been, and that’s who we will continue to be in the future. In this issue of Purpose, we’ll introduce you to CCI at 50. We’ll take you on a journey through our storied history, highlighting some of our more pivotal, foundational events. I have personally compiled some of my proudest moments with this team that I invite you to read on page three. 2 | Purpose Newsletter, Spring 2022
On January 1, 2022, CCI Health Services entered our 50th year Finally, we’ll leave you with a glimpse of our plans to continue improving health outcomes with innovative strategies and five decades of experience leading the way. When I think back to CCI’s inspirational beginnings, I am humbled by how far we have come and motivated to continue our amazing story. With supporters like you on our side, we are well on our way to evolving and transforming what it means to deliver health care in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
Thank you for believing in us. Here’s to the next 50!
Sonya Bruton, Psy.D., MPA President and CEO CCI Health Services
Leading up to
50 Years . . . 2017
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) recognized CCI’s seven health centers as Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMH). The recognition validates CCI’s concerted efforts to build meaningful clinicianpatient relationships and establish an approach that puts the patient at the forefront of care. 2018 CCI became a direct federal awardee of the Title X Family Planning Services Program, allowing us to strengthen our reproductive health services and empower patients to make decisions that work best for them and their loved ones. 2019 The U.S. Department of Agriculture honored WIC at CCI with the Gold Elite Loving Support Award of Excellence for our exemplary practices in modeling, promoting, protecting, and supporting breastfeeding. In addition, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services would also rank us as among the top 30% of health centers in the nation for clinical quality. 2020 CCI received Gold Level recognition by the American Heart Association and the American Medical Association for our commitment to achieving improved blood pressure in patients and reaching a 70% control benchmark. 2021 he Joint Commission reaccredited CCI for delivering safe and quality T patient care. e became the first health center in Maryland to participate in the W Biden-Harris administration’s Health Center COVID-19 Vaccine Program, and just one of 200 health centers granted early approval to prescribe Pfizer’s antiviral therapeutic. e received funds to establish a Family Medicine Residency program W through a grant provided by The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
Purpose Newsletter, Spring 2022 | 3
Celebrating
50 YEARS
2022 marks 50 years of CCI Health Services delivering quality and affordable health care to our patients. That’s a half-century! The entire team is humbled to have reached this moment. It serves as a testament to our passion, strategy, and the enduring support of everyone who makes our work possible. In honor of this incredible milestone, we thought now would be a good time to reflect on CCI’s history and give a glimpse of where our mission goes from here.
2007
2008: Designated a
CCI expands services into Prince George’s County.
2003: CCI receives Joint Commission accreditation, recognized nationally as an emblem of quality, safe, and effective health care.
2015: CCI becomes CCI Health & Wellness Services.
2020: Dr. Sonya Bruton becomes
2021: CCI launches Food is
Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).
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President & CEO. CCI debuts a new mission and vision, one with a greater focus on health equity advocacy.
Medicine. Hosts inaugural Greenbelt block party.
of Service 1969: A team of concerned health professionals comes together with a shared goal to deliver health care to Rockville’s youth.
1972
1985
The initiative becomes an official nonprofit organization, adopting the name Community Clinic, Inc. (CCI) and establishing a clinic on Fleet Street.
CCI opens a pediatric office in Silver Spring and a health center in Gaithersburg.
1998
CCI’s 25th anniversary. Much more is to come!
2022: CCI Health & Wellness Services becomes CCI Health Services; debuts new brand identity to complement the name change.
1993
1996: The state of Maryland awards CCI the Montgomery County contract for WIC.
The Takoma Park health center opens.
50 YEARS FORWARD CCI Health Services friends and followers can expect us to continue delivering an exceptional health care experience to the thousands of neighbors who depend on us every day. We’ll also advance our vision of a more equitable health care system by using our voice and leading through example. We have done so much, but there’s a lot more work to be done. We are eager to continue this journey with you. From the entire CCI Health Services team, thank you for your unwavering support. Purpose Newsletter, Spring 2022 | 5
NEW YEAR,
Since 2015, patients and supporters alike have known us as CCI Health & Wellness Services. It’s a name that has served us well, playing a significant role in our expansion. We are so proud of everything that we have accomplished under it. But we’re a team that values growth, and we were ready update our brand identity to better reflect our ambitions in health care and advocacy. With 2022 already serving as a landmark year in our history, we realized that now is the time to launch a refreshed name and look to guide us in our work.
We feel that CCI Health Services meets the standards we set for ourselves. Our new name celebrates our history and reinvigorates our brand. It’s direct and confident. It clarifies our work and aligns with our mission. It’s everything that we needed in a name, and we are thrilled to adopt it going forward.
Choosing the right name was no easy task. We wanted to make sure we kept our name recognition intact and to continue building on the reputation we have made for ourselves over the last five decades. At the same time, our new name had to give us the space needed to further expand in response to our patients’ evolving health needs.
With a strong name came the need for an equally strong accompanying brand. We wanted to create a look that closely represents who we try to be to our patients. Considering our services and commitment to care, our heart emblem was the right call.
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NEW LOOK Look closely, and you’ll see the letters “CCI” spelled within the heart.
Medical
It’s an expression of our motto,
“CCI cares.”
Dental
Four colors radiate from the heart, representing individually each of our four core services and collectively our comprehensive health care approach. We left the heart open as a reminder that our services are open to everyone. Behavioral
Supportive
We went to great lengths to design a brand identity that would resonate with our patients. We hope that whenever our patients look at our name or logo, they’ll feel a sense of security and comfort. That’s what we are about here at CCI Health Services.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF OUR REBRAND? We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Reach out to us at info@cciweb.org and let us know what you think! Purpose Newsletter, Spring 2022 | 7
Our New
BUILDING
CCI Health Services has just purchased a new site for our administrative staff. The building, located at 8665 Georgia Avenue in Silver Spring, is approximately 19,145 square feet, includes surface level parking, and was built in the late 1950s. The Silver Spring health center will remain on Fenton Street and will be occupying the entire 12th floor. Overall, administrative staff feedback is positive. They are very excited to be involved in the furniture selection process and feel their needs are well met. “I look forward to occupying this new space and really transforming it into the definitive headquarters of CCI,” said Ashley Nuñez, CCI Health Services’ Facilities Coordinator. Construction started in September and is scheduled to open late spring.
Images of the construction of our new building on Georgia Avenue in Downtown Silver Spring.
8 | Purpose Newsletter, Spring 2022
TEACHING HEALTH CENTER Last November, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded CCI Health Services a Teaching Health Center Planning and Development Program grant, officially designating us as Maryland’s first-ever Teaching Health Center. The grant also provides us with the opportunity to establish a primary care residency program in Prince George’s County, set to launch in 2024 in partnership with the Adventist HealthCare Fort Washington Medical Center. Resident physicians who participate in our threeyear program will split their time between our Greenbelt and Greenway health centers, gaining hands-on experience in our comprehensive approach to health care. Program graduates will enter the health care field trained to offer culturally competent and patient-centered care to underserved populations. As Prince George’s County’s population continues to grow, so will its demand for accessible and language-appropriate care. Our residency program is arriving just in time to help meet the need. We are so proud that this initiative will soon open many doors and remove many barriers for our neighbors in the community. We thank HRSA for their ongoing support and confidence in our work.
Purpose Newsletter, Spring 2022 | 9
2021: OUR YEAR BY THE NUMBERS 103,410
7
Health Center Visits
Primary Care & Dental Sites
Includes medical, dental, mental health, substance use disorder, nutrition, case management
289
78,401
Employees
5
WIC Sites
34,052
44,349
WIC
All Services
Community Members Served Annually
Percentage of WIC at CCI Participants Breastfeeding:
79,661
6,887
7,674
Medical
4,740
Behavioral Health
Dental
1%
WHO WE SERVE
5%
63%
37%
Female
6.62%
3.79%
3%
RACE AND ETHNICITIES
Male
14%
Age Group Children
1%
7%
Gender
39%
90%
Substance Use Disorder
69%
39.73%
PAYOR MIX
56%
Adult 18–64
5%
Older Adults 65+
70%
Patients best served in a language other than English
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Hispanic/Latino
Asian
Medicaid
Black
American Indian/ Alaska Native
Uninsured
More than one race
Medicare
Unreported White
Private Insurance
49.86%
Give Locally. Give Health. Give to CCI. Thousands of neighbors in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties depend on CCI for their primary care and other essential health services. Most of our patients and participants would otherwise lack the resources needed to access quality health care. But not with us. We put in the effort to deliver a comprehensive and exceptional health care experience to everyone, regardless of what they can pay. We do everything we can to help our community, but we can’t do this alone. We need supporters like you to sustain our work. And in celebration of our milestone 50th anniversary, there has never been a better time to become a CCI supporter. A gift to CCI will mean more uninsured and underinsured families will receive the care they need to stay healthy and empowered. And if you choose to donate monthly, you will be sending a clear message to our patients and participants: you care about them, and they can count on you to be there for them. We hope you will consider giving towards our mission. Visit www.cci-health.networkforgood.com to make a tax-deductible donation today. Purpose Newsletter, Spring 2022 | 11
Choose Community. Choose Culture. Choose Care.
CHOOSE CCI CCI Health Services staff comprises hundreds of skilled and mission-driven clinicians and professionals. They could work anywhere they want in the health care field. But they choose to serve their community. They choose a culture of growth. They choose to deliver patient-centered care. That’s why they choose CCI. 12 | Purpose Newsletter, Spring 2022
Employee Profile: MARGARITA GUTIERREZ For Margarita Gutierrez, CCI is more than a job. Always aspiring to help others, it seemed like the perfect fit. “For the last 28 years, CCI has given me the opportunity to make a difference in our community. My daughter learned how to be kind and show compassion to all humans by watching me at work. She has been a part of the many activities CCI has done for the community over the years,” said Gutierrez. Starting at that “little house on Fleet Street” as it was affectionately called, Gutierrez has seen CCI grow exponentially since then.
Throughout her career at CCI, Gutierrez has served in a variety of different roles. “I had the opportunity to be part of different projects and programs throughout the years. I was given the opportunity to manage some of the health centers. I was part of the initiation of the Expanded Food and Nutrition Program with a partnership with the University of Maryland. I was part of the Latin American Cancer Research Coalition with the Georgetown University Hospital Lombardi Cancer Center. I was part of the American Cancer Society Atlantic Division as a breast and colon cancer volunteer speaker representing CCI in different forums,” said Gutierrez.
She has even inspired the next generation; her daughter, who just became a special needs teacher, revealed that she wanted to make a difference in children’s lives because she has seen her mother do that for years working at CCI. “CCI has taught me that kindness, commitment, responsibility, respect, and tenacity should serve as guides in my work. I have applied everything that I have learned in life hoping that the day when I am not around in this world, people will always remember me as a kind, respectful human being, who always worked hard to help others and assisted them with dignity and compassion.”
Outside of CCI, Margarita enjoys ice skating, hiking, and spending time with her family.
If you’re ready to focus your abilities and experience towards improving the lives of your neighbors, you’re ready for CCI. Visit ccicareers.org to learn more about our career opportunities. Purpose Newsletter, Spring 2022 | 13
MEET OUR BOARD Outside of his board responsibilities, Stroud serves as an Attorney Advisor for the U.S Department of Health & Human Services. His free time activities include watching television, exploring the outdoors, and attending cultural events such as plays and musicals. Stroud credits CCI as having a stable community presence, a place that can propel patients to the next steps in their lives.
ERIC STROUD, ESQ. Chair-Elect of CCI Health Services Eric Stroud, ESQ. has worked in numerous roles during his eight-year tenure as a board member. His current position, however, takes on a different meaning. Chair-elect has a nice ring to it. “In this new role, I hope to continue to foster the great environment, values, and services of CCI,” said Stroud. With a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of North CarolinaChapel Hill; and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh Law School, Stroud brings legal expertise and a fresh perspective. “I consider myself a dedicated and resourceful kind of guy, someone people can count on,” said Stroud.
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One of the mantras that he lives by is
Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.
“To me, this means; treat everyone the same regardless of if they have done something to you or not,” explained Stroud. Stroud is big on purpose. “Purpose means focus, intent, really committed and direct effort, diligence.” He looks forward to being a part of the history of CCI and is excited to begin his new role.
CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE CCI Health Services’ new website is live! Visitors can now enjoy an updated patient portal experience, improved navigation, and a growing selection of quality resources to help you and your family stay healthy.
Visit cciweb.org to begin exploring today!
Purpose Newsletter, Spring 2022 | 15
WAYS TO GIVE
Donate online or make a gift by mail. DONATE ONLINE www.cciweb.org/ get-involved/donate/
GIFT BY MAIL Attn. Jennifer Pusatere 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 1204 Silver Spring, MD 20910
Visit us online at cciweb.org for more!
Choose Community. Choose Culture. Choose Care. Choose CCI. 8630 Fenton Street, Suite 1204, Silver Spring, MD 20910 301.340.7525 | 301.495.0318 | www.cciweb.org | info@cciweb.org Follow us on social media @CCIcares