VC, The Magazine | Issue 34

March.

June 2023 2023| |ISSUE ISSUE3431

PROVIDING SUPPORT

Enhancing VC Culture with

DON MORRIS

Employee of the Month: Ashley Gonzalez Page 4

Cover Pag

VC Recognizes Juneteenth Page 10

Pride Mon Page

Story ge 6

nth Recap e 12

Boosting Childhood Immunizations Page 8

Welcome to the Team!

Page 16

Ashley Gonzalez Anita Garcia

PAP Coordinator/MA Dental Receptionist Float Norman VARIETY CARE | 4

Employee of the Month: Compassion You were nominated for Compassion because you went out of your way to go the extra mile for a family. What does compassion mean to you?

We do not know what one goes through daily.

At times we tend to forget that we are blessed enough to have things that others may never get the opportunity to have, and for that reason we should attempt to be more kind!

How long have you been working at Variety Care?

I have been with Variety Care since March 2019.

What do you hope your teammates learn from you?

I hope my teammates can absorb the professionalism and ambition that I exemplify.

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

It feels like a great accomplishment. I am so thankful to be working here, and I love my job.

What has been the most rewarding part of your job?

I was selected for the Medical Assistant Certification Program when it started.

I am one of the few that were nominated within our organization for all the hard work and effort I have put in.

ILOVE THAT I us about your family.

CAN HELP OUR Tell have been married for six COMMUNITY Iyears to my husband Joel. We

have a beautiful five-year-old daughter named Adeline. She is going to be in kindergarten this -Ashley fall. Even though we only have What are some things you love one daughter, she keeps us extremely busy! about working for Variety Care?

Adeline has been enrolled in a dance studio I love the team I am working with at Norman since she was three years old. It is as if we Family. Even though we have been through have a teenager, with all the sass my little girl drastic turnovers, we have always found a way has! to welcome all our new employees as family.

What is the most interesting thing about your work at Variety Care?

I truly never know what is to come - every day is different. But I always learn something new, whether it be from the other MAs, providers, or our LPN in clinic.

How does the work you do impact you personally?

I love that I can help our community and feel satisfied within myself by completing the tasks that are needed the most by our patients.

Describe yourself in 3 words.

Caring, helpful, and organized.

Don Morris

VP of People and Culture

VARIETY CARE | 6

Enhancing VC Culture Can you explain your role as Vice President of People and Culture?

The title is a new job at Variety Care. It shows our intention to focus more on the experience of our employees, their engagement, and how to take care of our most valuable asset and what they experience here in the workplace.

Can you expand on the "Culture" portion of your position?

Culture is so important in the workplace. When talking about staff, we should talk about the whole person – not just the work they do and the pay that they make, but who is the whole person?

How do they balance their work and their life and other interests that they have?

What are some of your responsibilities in this role?

My responsibilities are twofold. One is to work with and oversee the human resources function, but also to serve as a member of the executive team and to be a trusted advisor to them on HR issues.

All about Don

An overall culture for Variety Care is a place where people feel included, the ways that we do things are equitable – especially in pay and benefits, and people feel empowered to speak their minds knowing leadership is responsive to making the changes that they share.

Why is it important to focus on Culture within the workplace?

It's important that we are ahead of pay and benefits, and we provide those in a way that competes in the external market in a way that is within our budget and a way that is fair and equitable across the enterprise.

What are some of your goals?

First, I want to ensure Variety Care is a place people want to work and accomplish their career goals. Next, I want to get pay right and put more policies in place so there is not a lot of confusion about hire rates, promotions, transfers, and those kinds of things. Secondly, I’m working with the DEI group and the Communications Department to make sure those voices are being heard through the organization. Another goal of mine is to work on leadership development, starting with first-line leadership, teaching them how to better talk to employees and work with employees.

or

How are you hoping to open the line of communication with staff?

As I tour clinics, I try to pull people aside and ask them about their work experience and figure out how we can improve from their perspective. Also, the employee satisfaction survey – I want 100% participation. I want people to understand that if I can’t hear their voice, I can’t share their voice.

Erin Smith

Immunization Manager

VARIETY CARE | 8

Boosting Childhood Immunizations As we prepare for back-to-school season, Immunization Manager Erin Smith warns of the trending decline in childhood immunizations and how we can improve statistics. She cites a Health Science Reports article that studied immunization rates both during and before the Covid-19 pandemic: In 26 studies, 21 showed a significant decrease or delay in pediatric vaccination rates during the pandemic. In some, there was up to an 80% decrease in comparison to pre-pandemic data. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ PMC8855492/#:~:text=From%2026%20eligible%20studies%2C%20 21,changes%20only%20in%20influenza%20vaccination.

Research identifies the four main reasons for this decline as: • Parental hesitation in well child visits during the pandemic • Social distancing policies and lockdowns contributing to many healthcare centers shutting down • Shortage of healthcare providers and disruptions in supply chains • Lack of clear guidelines and recommendations for non-Covid issues, coupled with PPE shortages making staff reluctant to engage with patients in primary health centers

If all vaccines are given on time, the pediatric vaccine schedule can be completed by 16 years of age. However, the CDC has a schedule to ensure children have the chance to catch up in case of missed immunizations.

Flu shots should be given annually to children six months and older. Covid vaccines can be given to six months and older as well, and as guidelines continue to evolve it may also become an annual vaccine.

Smith says that we as health care professionals have an opportunity at every visit to assess, recommend, and give immunizations. “There should never be a health care encounter where immunizations are not discussed, even if it’s to tell the patient they are upto-date or when their next immunization is due,” she emphasizes.

She also points out that studies show the single most important factor when a patient is deciding whether to receive a vaccine is a strong provider recommendation. “Most patients aren’t against immunizations – they just don’t know what they need,” Smith explains. “It’s always best to assess and tell the patient what they are due for today, not ask what they want.”

Although some exemptions may be granted, Oklahoma School Immunization Law outlines the immunization requirements and frequency of administration, as prescribed by the Oklahoma Board of Health: Pre-K

K - 6th

7th - 12th

(Diphtheria/Polio/Tetanus)

DPT

4

5

5

Polio

3

4

4

(Measles/Mumps/Rubella)

MMR

1

2

2

Hepatitis B

3

3

3

Hepatitis A

2

2

2

(Chicken Pox)

Varicella

1

1

1

Tdap

No

No

1

Optional: Flu, Covid

Yes

Yes

Yes

For more information on childhood immunizations, e-mail Immunization Manager Erin Smith

Juneteenth VARIETY CARE | 10

Juneteenth is observed annually on June 19. It commemorates the date that slaves in Galveston, Texas, finally learned of their freedom This holiday represents how we as a society changed in the right direction. This was a huge forward step in our history for equity, inclusion and acceptance, no matter the skin color.

- Variety Care Staff Member

– two years after the Emancipation Proclamation, one year after the Senate passed the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery, and six months after it was passed by the House. The day highlights “delayed justice” and calls for equity and inclusion.

VARIETY CARE CELEBRATES

PRIDE

VARIETY CARE | 13

to our team Ruby Anguilar-Henriquez RN- Public Nurse, Admin.

Lizbet Covarrubias PSR, Lafayette

Chris Bell

Referral Specialist, PAC

Laci Gil

PSR, Yukon

Elizabeth Gonzalez

Viridiana Hernandez

Lakiesha Jordan

Adaline Lopez

PSR, Putnam

PSR, Britton

VARIETY CARE | 12

WIC Clerk, Straka

PSR vision, Straka

Jessica Corral

Custodian, NW 10th Portland

Emelin Gonzales

Patient Access Specialist, PAC

Robiana Jackson

Medical Assistant II, Baptist Portland

Maggie Magda

Medical Assistant II, Straka

Adriana Mancinas

Carly Montgomery

Josue Moran

PSR-Urgent Care, Straka

Adolescent Health Spec./ Sequoyah

Clinical Svc. Medical Float, Admin.

Marycruz Nava

Daniel, Perez Garcia

Zully Kentia Sanchez G.

Patient Access Specialist, PAC

Jordan Tillery PSR, Yukon

Patient Access Specialist, PAC

Jennifer Vazquez

Patient Access Specialist, PAC

Patient Access Specialist, PAC

Ayline Vicencio

PSR, Straka

Luzelena Villalon

Clinical Service Medical Float, Admin.

VARIETY CARE | 17

MEET OUR NEW

Providers

Medical School: Sri Venkateswara Medical College, Tirupati, AP, India Specialization: Internal Medicine and Primary Care Kumar Ennamuri, MD is a Board-Certified Internist specializing in internal medicine and primary care. He is a member of the American Medical Association who appreciates the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of his patients through proper diagnosis and treatment.

Kumar Ennamuri, MD

Physician, Norman

Nursing School: Grand Canyon University Specialization: Psychiatric and Mental Health Rahil Khalili, APRN-CNP, PMHNP-BC is an experienced and compassionate nurse practitioner specializing in behavioral health. Hospitable and devoted to providing quality care, she is a member of the National Association of Psychiatry Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, Association of Oklahoma Nurse Practitioners, American Association of Nurse Practitioners and Oklahoma Nurses Association.

Rahil Khalili, APRN

Psychiatric, Yukon

Dental School: University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry Specialization: Dental Dr. Hitesh Kayastha, DDS is a caring dentist who is passionate about providing dental access to everyone. He is an established member of the American Dental Association and places great importance on building a strong relationship of trust with all of his patients.

Hitesh Kayastha, DDS

Dentist, Straka

o t n i Step

Cool Prizes!

1st Place

Ray-Ban Stories Wayfarer Smart Glasses with Photo, Video & Audio

2nd Place $100 Gift Card

! e g n e l Chal

3rd Place $50 Gift Card 4th Place Inevifit Smart Body Fat Scale 5th Place $25 Gift Card

The Step into Summer Challenge is about kickstarting healthy habits as a new season begins. Turn up the heat with some healthy competition that's easy and fun for all! The challenge starts July 10th and will end August 19th. This is a two-person team challenge.

If you want to participate, find a partner, create a team name, and submit it to Mechele Berry by Thursday, July 6. Wellable points are eared by tracking exercise activities, participating in Wellable challenges, and tracking meals/snacks each day.

Character Core Nominations

Do you know someone that is grateful, patient, or resourceful? Don’t let their hard work go unnoticed – submit them for a Character Core nomination! Each month, Variety Care highlights a new quality that exceptional employees possess. But did you know that you can nominate your co-workers for any of the 30+ characteristics listed?

Employee Relations Manager Ceirstyn Bradley says peer-to-peer recognition is important for employees.

“It boosts their confidence and self-esteem, helps create a sense of belonging, and creates a culture of respect,” Bradley says. “Additionally, recognition from a supervisor can make an employee feel valued.”

The Character Core Committee is comprised of a handful of Variety Care employees from different locations, including the rural clinics. They are selected by leadership or by former committee members to serve, and each member serves for one year.

Click here to submit your nomination!