VC, The Magazine | Issue 44

April 2024 | ISSUE 44

Teamwork Eclipsing Obstacles

O E M EOM EOM Employee of the Month: Vicky Granados Page 4

VC Volu Pag

Vicky Granados Community Health Worker, PAC

Solar Eclipse Page 10

Welcome to Pag

unteers ge 6

CAC Excellence Page 8

o the Team! ge 12

Staff Tributes Page 16

O M E O M E Vicky Granados Community Health Worker, PAC

VARIETY CARE | 4

Employee of the Month: Compassion How long have you worked at Variety Care?

I have been working here for one year and six months.

You were nominated for character quality of Compassion. Why is it important to show compassion not only to staff but to everyone you encounter?

It’s important to me to show compassion to everyone because I see in everyone a member of my own family.

How does it feel to be the Employee of the Month?

It feels great to be appreciated!

What do you like the most about working at Variety Care?

I would say I love our CHW department because I love how we get to help patients and be that bridge that connects them to where they can get help.

Do you have any hobbies or talents that you would like to share?

I see myself as a free soul. I like to dance, listen to As a Community Health Worker, surely there are music, enjoy nature, and enjoy life to the fullest, difficult situations where a patient’s circumstances always putting God first. I enjoy my family; I have two require extra attention. What sons and five grandchildren motivates you to give it your and love my family time with all? them.

In my 20+ years of experience I have always been interested as a nurse, I have learned to in the medical field. I received live the patient’s needs as my nursing license when mine and that really motivates I was 21 and continued to me to help them. Especially in receive medical education. this country where there are I worked for 20 years as a patients with no legal status nurse in Juarez and during or a language barrier who that time I received licenses need extra help. As CHW, it has and recognition for health and given me the opportunity to hygiene education, diabetes -Vicky continue helping patients not prevention, hypertension, only in the medical field but nutrition and many more. All also more personally based on their primary needs. this education has been with the goal of helping patients get educated for a better quality of life.

What do you think is key in your role as a Community Health Worker and how important do you believe Tell us about your family and where you are from. those duties are in Variety Care?

I’m from Juarez, Mexico and I’m the twelfth child out Communication. If you have good communication of my siblings. I have two brothers here in OKC and with a patient, you can understand their needs the rest of my family is in Juarez. better. And then we share better communication with the rest of the care team and that way the assistance with the patient is better.

I think our duties are important to any medical institution as CHWs are the direct bridge of communication from the patients to the resources they need in and out of the clinic. We help beyond their health care and patients rely on us to receive that help.

It’s important to me to show compassion to everyone because I see in everyone a member of my own family.

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lahom k O f o d Bank me. o o F l a t a ti egion a R l e a h e t t m hand a ty, one i a n u g n i m d taff len nce in our com s e r a C Variety aking a differe m

2,094 Bags Packed

349

Boxes Packed

5,671 Total Meals

VOLUNTEER

GROUP Report

6,806

Total Pounds

VARIETY CARE | 7

CAC

Excellence

The transition to SoonerSelect has been a testament to Variety Care's adaptability and commitment to patient-centric care.

Amid uncertainties, the unwavering dedication of the CAC team led by Amanda Gonzales-Eastman, the Medicaid Task Force led by Margaret Holloway, PSR teams, and the entire operations team has been the cornerstone of success, ensuring that patients receive the support and care they deserve.

Variety Care Crooked Oak

Now Open!

Dr. Conner Johnson has relocated to our new clinic, conveniently located across from Crooked Oak schools. This clinic boasts a unique partnership with the schools, allowing students to access Variety Care services during school hours.

Students are escorted to appointments by the school resource officer during elective periods, eliminating transportation barriers and fostering better healthcare outcomes.

This collaboration aims to combat chronic absenteeism and promote a healthier community.

Click here for a tour!

VARIETY CARE | 8

SoonerSelect is Here!

So are Value-Added Benefits.

What are Value-Added Benefits?

Each of the state-offered insurance plans (Aetna, Humana, Oklahoma Complete Health), offers additional benefits beyond the core medical benefits previously offered to SoonerCare recipients.

What are some examples of Value-Added Benefits?

While each plan differs, Value-Added Benefits can consist of OTC product reimbursements, help with weight management, reimbursements for annual screenings, asthma intervention assistance, diabetes management assistance, career and education support, and so much more!

Who is eligible for Value-Added Benefits?

Anyone who is actively enrolled in one of the state-offered insurance plans (Aetna, Humana, Oklahoma Complete Health).

To contact Care Management teams:

Aetna-844-365-4385 | Humana-855-223-9868 | OCH 833-752-1664

Click here for a side-by-side comparison of Value-Added Benefits

Variety Care staff gather outside of clinics to enjoy the solar eclipse.

to our team Ana Alvarez

Jaimilyn Beauchamp

Eugenia Carrion M.

Madison Dunford

Natalie Flores

Casandra Genovese

Anabel Guerrero

Cynthia Hernandez

WIC Clerk, Lafayette

Patient Access Specialist I (PT), PAC

Collection Specialist, Admin.

KC Roshan

Dental Assistant I, Straka

PSR I, Crooked Oak

PSR I, B. Portland

Collection Specialist, Admin.

Tiffany Lewis

RN Care Manager, Reno

Custodian, Crooked Oak

Patient Access Specilist I, PAC

July Jacquez

WIC B.F. Peer Counselor, Britton

Susana Mancinas-Ramos Claims Resolution Specialist, Admin.

Christina Mercado

Pharmacy Technician, Portland

Priscilla Quintana PSR I, Crooked Oak

Stephanie Ortiz PSR I, Lafayette

Jacqueline Rivera

Patient Access Specialist, PAC

LaDena Pluchino

Medical Assistant I, Britton

Leo Teafatiller

Employee Relations Manager, Admin.

MEET OUR NEW Education: University of South Alabama Specialization: Women’s Health Lindsey Price, APRN-CNP, WHNP, is a compassionate healthcare professional, dedicated to personalized patient care and fostering trust and respect.

She values active listening and shared decisionmaking to meet each individual's unique needs.

Outside of work, Lindsey enjoys her children's activities and reading. Her commitment to both family and patients exemplifies her dedication to making a positive impact.

Lindsey Price, APRN- CNP, WHNP

NW 10TH

APRIL Anniversaries 20+ YEARS OF SERVICE

AMELIA DELOERA, ADMIN, 21 YEARS

10 + YEARS OF SERVICE

ALANI CRUZ, STRAKA, 10 YEARS WILLIAM HOLLOWAY, LAFAYETTE, 10 YEARS SUSAN A. PERALTA, STRAKA, 11 YEARS MICKEY H. PHAN, BRITTON, 11 YEARS SHANA SOLIS, BRITTON, 15 YEARS LAURA L. MORALES, LAFAYETTE, 16 YEARS DIANA A. JACKSON, LAFAYETTE, 17 YEARS ANGELINA RIOS, MID-DEL, 17 YEARS

5+ YEARS OF SERVICE

LIZARELI ESPINOZA, BRITTON, 5 YEARS ASIA RAMIREZ, STRAKA, 5 YEARS DANELIA S. GUTIERREZ, PAC, 5 YEARS JULIE A. SCHREINER, PAC, 5 YEARS CHRISTINA T ROBINSON, NORTHCARE, 6 YEARS ELLA J. TATRO, PAC, 6 YEARS BERNETTE CALVIN, GRANDFIELD, 7 YEARS NATHAN KADAVY, RENO, 7 YEARS TESSA NEWCOMB, ADMIN, 7 YEARS ANALLELY AVALOS, PORTLAND, 8 YEARS BIANCA NUNEZ, RENO, 8 YEARS MELISSA PEROS, LAKEPOINTE, 8 YEARS SUMMER JATALA, STRAKA, 9 YEARS ERICA RODRIGUEZ, 9 YEARS RITA ROSE, LAFAYETTE, 9 YEARS

VARIETY CARE | 14

4 YEARS OF SERVICE

GABRIELA CALDERON, LAFAYETTE CYNTHIA MCGOUGH, ADMIN

3 YEARS OF SERVICE

ASHLEY QUINTANA, BRITTON YAMILE G. GUZMAN DELARA, RENO RHEA GOMEZ, PAC KRYSTAL CLAY, PAC

2 YEARS OF SERVICE

RENATE S. WINNINGHAM, NORMAN FP DANIA E. ROJO, LAFAYETTE LARISA CALLEJAS HERNANDEZ, STRAKA NICOLE BUMPUS, PAC

1 YEAR OF SERVICE

CRISTINA E. FLORES, SEQUOYAH CRYSTAL Y. RAMIREZ, MID-DEL DAISY HERNANDEZ, LAFAYETTE LTOYA KNIGHTEN, LAKEPOINTE DON MORRIS, LAKEPOINTE MAYRA ORTIZ, STRAKA NATALIE PALMA, STRAKA FABIOLA SANTILLAN, STRAKA SOPHIA M. CUADRA, PAC SHANNON B. O’SHEA, PAC KEYSA R. ROMERO, PAC

You are Ramina Golshani, DDS

Hitesh Kayastha, DDS

APPRECIATED!

Dr. Golshani is an amazing leader at our Reno site. She takes the initiative to talk about the hard things in such a caring way that it makes the team grow together wonderfully for our patients.

Like clockwork, there are always comments about how compassionate and loved she is by her patients in our monthly patient satisfaction reports. Her positive demeanor and leadership are truly treasured by Dr. Morrison and I we are grateful to have her on our team.

Dr. Kayastha at Straka has the best can-do attitude that is so vital to have in a busy clinic like Straka. Whether we are on the mobile unit, at a school placing sealants, or getting in an emergency, his adaptability and willingness to get patients seen, even in not such ideal conditions, shows his dedication to our mission and our patients. We appreciate his ability to be such a strong provider amongst our dental team.

Coming soon to Putnam and Yukon!

Beginning in May, Variety Care will offer spirometry at Putnam and Yukon one day a month.

Putnam's spirometry will be offered on the first Monday of each month, while Yukon's will be offered on the first Thursday of each month.

Whitney Heinrich Dental Operations Manager

Her legacy lives on in you.

Rhonda Bloomingburg

Rhonda was an amazing person inside and out. She was a God-fearing woman who always prayed for everyone. She consistently lifted people up and made sure to talk to every person daily. You could always hear Rhonda telling someone they were beautiful in the halls or giving someone a hard time. She loved all of her patients and would give the shirt off her back to anyone in need. Rhonda loved to train our new staff and help in any way she could, both at work and in life. I will forever cherish our friendship and the moments I had with her. Until we meet again, friend.

Bobbie Pruitt, Practice Supervisor Dental I don’t think I will ever have the right words to convey how much you meant to me. When I was in my darkest moments, you were always the light that I needed. There was never a day that passed when you didn’t tell me how proud you were of me for how far I had come. You always lifted me when I needed it most and reminded me that I was a good mother, even when I was struggling as a newly single mom.

You loved Ace and were instant buddies from day one. I wish you had more time to get to know Cora because I know you two ornery ladies would have gotten along like peas in a pod.I will always think of you when I drink sweet tea, smell a skunk, eat dark chocolate, or wear my red lipstick. I might even start tolerating the geese because they remind me so much of you.

I’m so lucky to have had you in my life; I am a much better person because of you. You will live forever in my heart. Until we meet again, my dear friend.

With all my love, Roxann Wheeler, Dental Hygienist, Straka Rhonda worked closely with me for the last 13 years and shaped so much of my experience at Variety Care. She was one of the kindest and most generous people I’ve ever met, dedicating her life to caring for others, both at work and at home. She became a fast friend to everyone she worked with, filling the clinic with laughter. Her funny and quirky personality immediately put people at ease, while her warmth made everyone feel important and valued. Rhonda was the matriarch of our work family and a cheerleader for each of us. Her loss will be deeply felt by our entire dental team.

She treated each patient with deep respect, going out of her way to make them feel comfortable in the intimidating field of dentistry. I know our patients will be asking about her for months to come. While these conversations will be hard, they will also be cherished moments to reminisce about her.

There isn’t enough space here for me to list all the things I will miss about her. Moving on without her will be difficult for all of us in the VC dental family, but I know Rhonda would tell us to wipe those tears off our faces and stop all this fuss. Although one day there will be fewer tears and more laughter, time will not change the love we have for her. We are so fortunate to have had her in our lives, and I am forever grateful for my time with her.

Julia Morrison, Director of Dental Services, Straka Rhonda had a warmth and kindness that touched everyone she met. She had a way of making people feel seen and valued, and her presence brought so much happiness to those around her. Rhonda's compassion and empathy knew no bounds, and she always went out of her way to help others in need. Her passing has left a huge void in the hearts of all who knew her. The clinic feels a little dimmer without her light. Rhonda's legacy of love and kindness will live on in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to have known her. Rest in peace, our dear friend Rhonda. You will be truly missed.

Lisa Truong, DDS, Britton