Dec. 2023 | ISSUE 40
Going Digital with
ROBB WETMORE
Employee of the Month: Sharlene Boatner Page 4
Welcome to the Team! Page 8
Cover Story Page 6
Holiday Wishes Page 8
Sharlene Boatner Practice Supervisor Yukon VARIETY CARE | 4
Employee of the Month: Resilience You have worked in the Yukon clinic for over 23 years - even before it was a Variety Care clinic. What is your connection to that location and the surrounding community? I have been at the Yukon location for 24 years. I wouldn't say it's so much a connection with the location, but rather with the patients. It feels like being an extended family member, witnessing babies grow up and now seeing them start families of their own while I continue to care for their little ones. You were nominated for resilience because you have worked through several transition during your career in health care. What does resilience mean to you? Resilience, to me, means persevering not just for myself but for others. I genuinely love what I do and deeply care about our patients' lives and their needs. That's why I keep pushing forward - so that I can provide for them.
What do you like about working with Variety Care? I truly appreciate the resources that Variety Care offers both its staff and patients alike. How long have you worked for Variety Care I joined Variety Care a little over three years ago.
It feels like being an extended family member, witnessing babies grow up and now seeing them start families of their own while I continue to care for their little ones.
-Sharlene
How do you overcome challenges in your career? Just like any career, there will always be challenges. However, I strive to be prepared and efficient in my current responsibilities while also knowing who and where to turn to for assistance. Without the support of my peers, I wouldn't be as effective as I am today. And when needed, I'm not afraid to ask for help.
Tell us about your family. I am happily married with one daughter, one furry pet companion (fur baby), and one granddaughter. We cherish spending quality time together and enjoying meals as a family unit.
Robb Wetmore
Director of Digital Healthcare PAC VARIETY CARE | 6
Going Digital with Robb Wetmore As technology advances in the world around us, Variety Care seeks to keep up with growing trends. At the helm of our digital initiatives is Robb Wetmore, Director of Digital Healthcare. You might know him from such projects as Welcome tablets and MyChart – both initiatives that aim to assist workflow for staff while increasing accessibility for our patients.
Another initiative that Wetmore is excited to unveil is DAX, or Dragon Ambient eXperience. The cloud-based app will use AI to automatically document patient encounters, significantly shortening the workload for providers. “It’s going to really turn around the amount of time that providers have to spend in their notes,” he said. “It creates notes just seconds after the session is over and allows providers to review and submit them, knocking down their charting time.”
Wetmore's latest project, the telehealth platform eVisit, is set to launch on January 23 at Britton, Putnam, and And Robb isn’t stopping Yukon, encompassing all there – he’s already made service areas, including EVISIT WILL MAKE IT American Sign Language behavioral health. “eVisit’s FEEL MORE PERSONAL, interpretation more cost platform is built with the and efficient LIKE AN IN-PERSON effective ability for us to just text by using a digital service VISIT RATHER THAN A through Language Service or chat with patients VIRTUAL ONE within the platform and Associates, and hopes to let them know if we’re one day utilize that same running behind,” Wetmore service for all of the 240explained. “It also allows plus languages available. us to collect copayments -Robb and update registration As Variety Care propels itself information in real-time.” into the forefront of healthcare technology under the leadership of Robb Wetmore, Currently, Variety Care's telehealth methods the future promises a seamless integration create a disconnect between patients and staff, of innovation and compassionate care. The limiting interaction to only the provider. Once digital initiatives spearheaded by Wetmore eVisit launches, however, it’s going to allow underscore Variety Care's dedication to the medical assistants (MAs), the provider, and delivering quality care that transcends the a dedicated team of patient access specialists boundaries of traditional healthcare. (PASs) to all interact with the patient through video, ensuring they get all the information they need. “eVisit will make it feel more personal, like an in-person visit rather than a virtual one,” Wetmore continued.
to our team Dewitha Belkas
Payment Specialist, Admin.
Linda Cazarez PSR, PAC
Crystal Greer
Clinical Operations PSR Trainer, PAC
LeNeeka King
Medical Assistant Float, Mid- Del
Courtney Brown
Angelica Caldera
Joy Dubberstein
Blanca Garcia
Patient Access Specialist, PAC
Medical Assistant Float, PAC
Erika Herrada PSR, Britton
Andrea Lozano
Pharmacy Tech, North Portland
PSR, North Portland
PSR, Yukon
Amber Hunter
Patient Access Specialist, PAC
Luis Montano
Medical Assistant I, Pete White
Alanis Navarette Dental Assistant, Straka
Latisha Nubine
Martin Villafana
Medical Assistant I, Putnam
Director of Population Health, PAC
Janie Peters, RN, BS Caring Van
Transitioning to
Telehealth
In November, Variety Care converted 182 patients to telehealth instead of cancelling appointments.
Telehealth visits reached a high of 1,014 visits. (highest month-to-date)
Patient Access Specialist Jasmine Perez explains why converting appointments to telehealth can be beneficial to our patients. VARIETY CARE | 9
Russian
ChineseMandarin
С Рождеством!
American Sign Language
聖誕節快樂！
Spanish
Pashto
ﮐﺮﺳﻤﺲ ﻣﻮ !ﻣﺒﺎرک
Feliz Navidad! Arabic ﻋﻴﺪ ﻣﻴﻼد ﻣﺠﻴﺪ
Burmese
ေပျာ်ရင်ေသာခရစမတ် ြဖစ် ပါေစ!
Portuguese
Vietnamese
Giáng sinh vui vẻ!
Ukrainian
Щасливого Р здва!
Feliz Natal!
English
Merry Christmas!
Variety Care's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee has compiled the top 10 languages (aside from English) spoken at Variety Care, and wanted to wish you and yours a merry Christmas in each of the languages.
Variety Care patient Olivia spreads holiday cheer and thanks her care team for helping her brother.
VARIETY CARE | 12
World AIDS Day 2023 Variety Care staff were invited to show their support on World AIDS Day by wearing red. Variety Care Sequoyah (top) incorporated the red ribbon into their scrubs, while staff at the Patient Access Center (bottom) opted to wear red attire.