CEO Update
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the recent El Rio Foundation Gala “Believe – A Night In Neverland.” What an exciting and successful night raising funds for the El Rio Care Coordination Program. We recognize that this event takes an immense amount of work and want to thank the Foundation staff, board members, staff and volunteers for their many hours dedicated to preparing for and executing the event this year. What a success in raising over $465,000 to support our patient care. Take a moment to view the photos from this great evening – PHOTOS and 360 VIDEOS
As we announced last week, in 2026 our current Northwest Health Center will be transitioning into the former Tucson Heart Hospital on Stone Avenue near River Road to create a fully integrated whole person care model at this site. There are still many details to address and planning that will be taking place for this new health center, and lots of work will be happening over the next year to make it all happen. As another important part of this project, the El Rio Foundation Board will begin a capital campaign in January 2025 to help raise private funds to assist with the funding of this major project. I shared some more information and answered questions during my last CEO Virtual Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, October 23rd at 12:00 PM, which can be found on the Teams channel.
As we finish up the last two months of the year, we wanted to provide a couple reminders of upcoming deadlines. Employees are required to complete the annual compliance courses in Dayforce Learning no later than November 30th. Also, our Annual Performance Reviews will open on November 4th. Employees must complete their self-review by December 31st.
We hope to see everyone at our Annual Employee & Family Picnic on Saturday, November 2nd from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Join us at the Kino Sports Complex for an afternoon of food and fun. We hope to see everyone there!
Please remember you can email me anytime at AskTheCEO@elrio.org, if you have questions for me.
Congratulations!
Recognition for Lucia Hernandez and Jose Bustamante Langarica!
On October 8, 2024, both Lucia and Jose noticed a patient was using the restroom for an extended period of time. They assisted and called for help. Thanks to them, the patient received much-needed medical attention.
Sterile Processing Week – October 13 - October 19, 2024
I would like to honor our sterile processing team for their dedication and commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality and best practices. Your meticulous work is essential for ensuring patient safety. Thank you for your invaluable contributions!
Victoria Sutherland - Infection Prevention and Sterilization Manager
Gold level recognition from the American Medical Association (AMA) as a Joy in Medicine™ health organization!
This incredible achievement is a testament to our collective dedication to fostering a supportive and fulfilling work environment. This work has been led by Dr. Schildt as our Chief Wellness Officer and the Clinician Wellness Council. Thank you Dr. Schildt and the Clinician Wellness Council for all the work they have done to get us this far as an organization. However, this award is not the end point of that work, rather it's a milestone as we continue to move forward. We have lots more to do, but we need to take a minute and celebrate the work done this far to support our clinician staff, clinical teams and clinical support staff!
A few key points around this recognition:
1. National Recognition: We are the only organization in 2024 and one of only eleven organizations total across the entire country to receive this honor and the first Federally Qualified Health Center to achieve this milestone.
2. Commitment to Well-being: This award acknowledges our ongoing efforts to enhance the wellbeing and professional fulfillment of our clinicians and all staff. By working to prioritizing the satisfaction of our healthcare clinicians, we are not only reducing burnout but also helping to improving the quality of care we deliver to our patients.
3. Leadership in Healthcare Transformation: Our recognition as a Joy in Medicine™ health organization positions us as leaders in the national movement to transform how the healthcare work systems. We are setting an example for others by addressing the root causes of burnout and creating a more supportive work environment. Again, we don't have it all figured out but we are working everyday to get better, and we want to share what we've learned so far with others.
This award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication each one of you brings to El Rio Health every day. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our mission and for making El Rio Health a place where both our patients and our team can thrive. Let’s celebrate this achievement together and continue to strive for excellence in everything we do!
You can read more about the award, and Joy In Medicine Recognition here: https://www.amaassn.org/practice-management/physician-health/62-health-systems-recognized-commitment-physicianwell-being
Recently published AMA article, including Dr. Schildt's interview: https://www.ama-assn.org/practicemanagement/physician-health/how-fqhc-s-efforts-reduce-burnout-are-succeeding
AMA recognition honorees reveal video: AMA Joy in Medicine™ Health System Recognition Program honorees reveal (YouTube)
Honor for Digital Excellence as a 2024 Digital Health Most Wired Survey Recipient
The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) has announced the results of the highly anticipated Digital Health Most Wired Survey for the 2024 data collection period. El Rio Health is proud to announce our Level 8 achievement for the Ambulatory survey selection.
Among the almost 48,000 facilities represented, El Rio Health distinguished itself by ranking above peers in critical categories such as analytics and data management, population health, infrastructure, cybersecurity, and patient engagement. The survey evaluates the adoption, integration, and impact of technologies across healthcare organizations, from early-stage adopters to industry leaders.
“We are proud to recognize your organization’s exceptional dedication to digital health excellence,” said CHIME President and CEO, Russ Branzell. “Your pioneering performance in the industry not only inspires other organizations by example, but also provides patients around the world with better care.”
In the face of escalating challenges like increasing cybersecurity threats, evolving care models, staffing shortages, and budget constraints, the urgency for revolutionizing healthcare through technology continues to grow. The next 30 years will bring profound changes, driven by emerging technologies. We anticipate that advancements in digital health facilitated by fully interoperable data, artificial intelligence, and secure platforms will significantly transform the landscape of care. A strategic roadmap will be essential to navigate these changes.
“To aid your future planning, we have designed the Digital Health Most Wired program to provide insights into best practices, HIT adoption patterns, and digital health market trends,” Branzell added. The Digital Health Most Wired survey and recognition program serves as a comprehensive "Digital Health Check-up" for healthcare organizations globally. As success in digital health increasingly influences patient care quality, the CHIME Digital Health Most Wired survey reflects the progress of leading healthcare providers as they reshape healthcare for the future. This achievement extends beyond information technology, symbolizing a collective organizational commitment to enhancing healthcare through advanced digital health strategies.
El Rio’s CIO, Susan Snedaker, MBA, CHCIO, CHISL, CDH-E, encouraged her El Rio team to complete the survey this year after a three-year period of rebuilding IT capabilities. “As CIO, I've seen firsthand how a robust healthcare IT infrastructure and systems serve as the cornerstone of exceptional patient care. When our clinical teams have seamless access to real-time data and integrated systems, they can focus on what matters most – building meaningful connections with patients. Our advanced IT capabilities don't just streamline workflows; they enhance patient care through features like clinical decision support and enable better coordination of care across the patient’s journey. As important, our strong capabilities in infrastructure and cybersecurity help ensure our data and systems remain safe and secure, available to our providers and staff when needed. By maintaining leading edge IT capabilities, we're not just staying competitive – we're fulfilling our promise to provide the highest quality patient-centered care possible.”
Key Results
Incentive Year = January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. Percentages of Employee Incentive Shown Below.
October New Employees
Analiza Garcia, Medical Assistant - Congress
Yesenia Canett, Medical Assistant - Southeast
Alexis Borboa, Medical Assistant - Congress
Kiara Maldonado, Medical Assistant - Southeast
Flor Hernandez, Medical Assistant - HealthOn Broadway
Nora Borboa, Medical Assistant - Congress
Susanna Wolstenholme, Medical Office Receptionist - Southeast
Laurel Payne, Physician-Psychiatrist - El Pueblo
Moura Connor, Family Nurse Practitioner - HealthOn University
Hani Rizk, Physician - Telehealth - Northwest
Patricia Nast, Certified Nurse Midwife - Congress
Samuel Sotelo, Security Officer - Manning
Nancy Montano, Licensed Practical Nurse - Cherrybell
Diana Montano, Medical Assistant - Cherrybell
Anthony (Annie) Gonzalez, Medical Assistant - Congress
Maya Adams, Certified Nurse Midwife - Southeast
Yasmeen Abdulrahman, Physician - Pediatrician - Northwest
Paula Cottrell Sr., Director of IT - Applications and Project Management Office - Manning
Katrina Martinez, Radiology Quality Assistant - El Pueblo
Dinorah Morales, Registered Ultrasound Technologist - El Pueblo
Leticia Granados, Dental Office Specialist - Congress
Cyana Perez, Medical Assistant - El Pueblo
Klarisa Lopez, Medical Assistant - Southwest
Ramon Tapia, Medical Assistant - El Pueblo
Anna Farrow, Case Manager - Grant
Andrea Buelna-Sanchez, Medical Assistant - Northwest
Anika Sherman, Medical Assistant - HealthOn University
Adilene Rabago, Medical Assistant - Manning
Taylina Ortiz, Medical Office Receptionist - El Pueblo
Meet The Providers
Get to know some Providers who have recently joined us!
Dr. Locher is a new Family Medicine physician at the Grant Health Center. She grew up here in Tucson, so you’d better believe that she has been conditioned since birth to love the monsoon season, overly spicy food, and hiking up Tumamoc Hill. She just graduated from residency at the UofA/Banner Phoenix FM program, and before that went to medical school at the University of Michigan. She’s very happy to be back home! When you can’t find her at the Grant Health Center, you’ll find her at Tumamoc.
She is interested in women’s health, MAT, and sports medicine as well as yoga, book clubs, taking salsa dancing classes, and enjoying the beauty of the desert!
Dr. Morenz is originally from Tucson but returning after living in the Pacific Northwest for the last decade. She will be working in the Behavioral Health department at the Grant Health Center. She practices general adult psychiatry and has particular interest in psychotic disorders as well as a growing interest in integrative medicine.
Interview with Dr. Ruth Garcia-Carasquillo
Interview of Dr. Ruth Garcia-Carasquillo by Dr. Mariposa Wolford. How did you become a pediatrician for El Rio? And how were you drawn to medicine in general?
My brother is a gastroenterologist, and I would see his medical books when I was a kid. He encouraged me to pursue medicine. He is nineteen years older than me, and lives in New York.
When did you know you wanted to focus on pediatrics?
I went into medical school, and I said, “no feet and no kids” (peds). But then, in my second rotation I liked kids and changed my mind. They grew on me. They are resilient and fun.
What are your thoughts on working at a FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center)?
The nice thing is, especially the way El Rio is set up, we can help with making things happen and reducing barriers and with social determinants of health. We are dedicated to patient care and caring for each other.
How did you get involved in helping to instruct the students?
Dr. Ray Wagner asked, and I started saying yes to teaching opportunities. Seeing kids with cold after cold got redundant, but adding teaching made things more fun. We as physicians are committing ourselves to the next generation of physicians. We are helping the community. We are trying to prop up primary care, especially after Covid 19.
What do you say to students who are considering medicine and having a family?
There can be balance, even when you are working long hours, there is lots of flexibility and medicine is good and gives you many opportunities.
You went to medical school in Puerto Rico. What are some things about that place that you love and want to share with us?
The beaches are beautiful, we have the only rainforest in US territory-El Yunque, national forest. Also, if you visit, there is a dish called Arroz con gandules (pigeon peas and pork). It is delicious. It is always served during the holidays, but also at other times.
What do you stay busy with when not at work?
Trips with my three sons and husband. I am also one of 3 kids myself. I have a brother who works at a bank and my sister is a vice principal at a high school.
Thank you Dr. Garcia-Carasquillo!
Employee VIP Line
Have you ever had an illness or injury affect your family and you’re not sure the appropriate level of care needed? At El Rio, you can always Call the Nurse First! All El Rio employees and their dependents covered by UMR can call the Employee VIP Line at 520-309-3117, even if your regular primary care provider is not part of El Rio. Call the Employee VIP Line to get an appointment in the Same Day Appointment Clinic or speak with a Triage Nurse to determine if you need to seek care at an Urgent Care Clinic or the Emergency Department.
El Rio Foundation Gala 2024 Photos
View Photos
Annual Employee/Family Picnic - Saturday, November 2nd
Please join us for this year’s Annual Employee & Family Picnic this Saturday, November 2nd from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Kino South Complex.
Each employee will receive 4 food box tickets, tickets will be given upon arrival. The food box will include a hamburger, a drink, and chips.
Food will only be available from 4:00-6:30pm
There will be no concession stand available this year, you may purchase food boxes at the event, each ticket will be $10.00. Cash only and MUST be exact amount.
Food tickets will be distributed from 4:00-6:00pm
If you would like to bring your own drinks and food, please be aware there is no glass or ceramics of any kind allowed on the premises (No Alcohol).
***We will be hosting an ofrenda to honor our loved ones who have passed away. For those who wish to participate, please bring a copy of a cherished photograph of your loved one to contribute to our ofrenda.***
Please RSVP to attend the event, by clicking on the link below https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Q9X25Z7
