VC, The Magazine | Issue 45

May. 2024 | ISSUE 45

Employee of the Month: Amanda Gonzales-Eastman Page 4

Mother's Day Tributes Page 11

VC Provid Pag

der Chain ge 6

Healthy Habits Page 8

Welcome to the Team!

Page 12

Amanda Gonzales-Eastman Certified Application Counselor Supervisor, PAC

Jennifer Herrera, PAC

Jacquelyne Hernandez, PAC

Jessica Huizar, PAC

Employee of the Month: Flexibility How long have you been at Variety Care?

I’ve been with Variety Care for five years!

In your nomination, you went above and beyond for a patient, but you continue to do so daily with all the changes our CACs encounter. Why is it key to continue to provide these services?

I believe in wanting the patients to feel welcomed, comfortable and safe, just like family. I strive to make sure each patient gets any information or questions answered as well as provide any help I can before they leave so they are satisfied with their time at Variety Care.

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

Being an employee of the month makes me feel like I have made a difference within the company and the patients we strive to help. Feeling like a role model to others and being able to help my coworkers anytime it’s needed makes me feel good and confident in myself.

What do you think is the most important aspect of your job, and how does that fit into our organization’s overall mission?

Making sure we take care of all patients, whether it’s in person or via phone. Adding this service has been a big difference for many patients being able to be approved for SoonerCare promptly.

What motivates you to give it your all, especially when a patient’s circumstances require extra attention?

What do you like the most about The biggest thing that motivates working at Variety Care? me is knowing I have possibly Variety Care has given me many made an impact on someone’s life opportunities to grow and has and being able to help the patient even shown me my value as an get their insurance taken care employee. Being able to help of. Another thing that motivates patients and making a difference me is being able to translate and in their lives is the most rewarding communicate fluently for our outcome! I also enjoy having Hispanic community, making a great work environment and them feel equal and included is having management who takes the best feeling. great care of us.

-Amanda Tell us a little bit about yourself – Tell us about your family. any hobbies or talents that you would like to share?

I have been married for 19 years to my wife. We I love to spend time with my family, going on cruises have one son and were recently blessed with our to explore different cultures and parts of the world grandbaby who’s seven months old, and I have a – any family trips are the best thing I can ask for. My beautiful daughter who is my whole world, she’s hobbies would have to be finding anything I can to what keeps me going and motivated to be a better put rhinestones on to bring it out, and other arts and me. We love having family quality time as a family crafts. I also love doing puzzles! doing some arts and crafts or even a relaxing day cooking together, enjoying each others company, laughing and making memories.

The biggest thing that motivates me is knowing that I have possibly made an impact on someone’s life

VARIETY CARE | 5

"I believe everyone has the right to affordable access to health care."

"To work with like-minded providers to deliver high-quality care to an underserved population."

"I wanted to do integrated care!"

"To serve the people."

"To give back to the community I grew up in."

"Taking care of vulnerable patient population in an environment where equity is a priority."

Have you seen the provider chain? This colorful paper link chain, moving from one Variety Care clinic to another each week, celebrates the heartfelt reasons why each provider chose to work in community health centers. Every link tells a unique story of commitment and passion for making a difference in community health.

Learn how we can keep our kids healthy all summer long.

Conner Johnson, DO Pediatrics

Learn more about depression and what we can do to combat it.

Jacob Epperson, LPC Behavioral Health

Happy Living begins With

Healthy Habits Diabetes affects about 1 in 10 Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and nearly 1 in 5 Americans living with diabetes don’t even know they have it. While there is no cure for diabetes, it can be managed with proper guidance from health care providers. At Variety Care, we play a crucial role in offering diabetes care, education, and support to help patients take control of their disease, including the expertise of our own Jamie Farley, Pharm.D., BCACP, CDCES. Jamie Farley, a clinical pharmacist at the Straka Variety Care location, works closely with patients to ensure they understand their disease and how to manage it. She explains that symptoms of high blood sugar are often dismissed. “Symptoms such as fatigue, blurry vision, thirst, or frequent urination might actually be related to high blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia”.

Dr. Farley emphasizes the importance of early detection to prevent irreversible damage. “Longstanding hyperglycemia can lead to chronic complications, such as vision loss or blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks and strokes, or amputations… which can dramatically change a person’s quality of life.”

Her Clinical Pharmacy Services (CPS) program includes medication management, in collaboration with the patient’s primary care provider, and a diabetes education program recognized by the American Diabetes Association. “One of the key components of diabetes education is instilling motivation and confidence in patients to take control of their disease so diabetes does not control them.”

Using a variety of hands-on visuals, Dr. Farley teaches patients everything from how to create healthy, balanced meals to utilizing the newest diabetes technology. She believes educating her patients can also impact future generations. “If patients can learn healthier habits and include the entire family in their changes, they can potentially prevent or delay the risk of their children developing diabetes.”

Farley also highlights the importance of creating a more inclusive environment for those living with diabetes. Some positive health changes include minimizing sugary drinks and choosing appropriate carbohydrate portions when meals are provided.

Instead of a daily indulgence, encourage patients to choose an occasional treat as reward for making healthy choices through the week. When attending work or family potluck events, consider taking a healthy option for yourself and others to enjoy.

If you bring:

Donuts Chips/Fries Regular Sodas

Try to include:

Fruit/Veggie Trays Side Salad Sugar-Free Beverages

For our staff, it’s important to remember that we all have a role in supporting our patients’ diabetes health improvement efforts. Encourage patients to seek guidance from their diabetes care team, which may include the expertise offered by Dr. Farley and/or other important members of their health care team at Variety Care. Together, we can help our patients live healthier lives and manage their diabetes effectively.

VARIETY CARE | 9

MAY Anniversaries 20+ YEARS OF SERVICE

MONICA MARQUEZ, NW 10TH, 23 YEARS GLENDA HERNANDEZ, STRAKA, 25 YEARS ESTELA DELIRA, STRAKA, 26 YEARS

10 + YEARS OF SERVICE

SARA BAEZA, NW 10TH, 10 YEARS VERONICA CERVANTES, RENO, 10 YEARS MARIBEL ESPINOZA, 10 YEARS LINDSAY K. LAIRD, LAFAYETTE, 11 YEARS ARMIDA CEBALLOS, STRAKA, 14 YEARS

5+ YEARS OF SERVICE

DIANA C. REYNA, LAFAYETTE, 5 YEARS BIANCA RUBIO, ADMIN, 5 YEARS MARIA F. BARRIOS, NW 10TH, 6 YEARS ALLISON M. KOPP, ADMIN, 6 YEARS VANESSA RODRIGUEZ, STRAKA, 6 YEARS TRAM T. NGUYEN, LAFAYETTE, 7 YEARS LAURA A. REINHARDT, STRAKA, 7 YEARS TANIA RAMIREZ, STRAKA, 8 YEARS LILIANA MENDEZ, STRAKA, 9 YEARS

4 YEARS OF SERVICE

ADRIAN DIAZ PALACIOS, PAC BENCY J. SONY, PETE WHITE

VARIETY CARE | 10

3 YEARS OF SERVICE

YAMILET QUIRINO, LAFAYETTE DAYAHANA J. MARTINEZ-DE LOS SANTOS, RENO NOELIA PINA TORRES, PAC HANNAH JACKSON, PAC HANG NGUYEN, PAC

2 YEARS OF SERVICE

JUANITA M. SALINAS, STRAKA VIVIAN MOBERLY, NW 10TH BEATRIZ E. KILPATRICK, ANADARKO BEVERLY (DIANE) D. DEVINEY, LAKEPOINTE JOSELYN M. MARTINEZ, PAC KAREN CORRAL, PAC

1 YEAR OF SERVICE

FATIMA A. MARTINEZ, BAPTIST PORTLAND YOSELIN RAMIREZ, YUKON JENNEY QIN, BRITTON JOSELINE C. ORTA, MID-DEL GEMA SEGOVIANO, STRAKA MARIA E. ESPARZA, STRAKA CAROLINA ZEQUEIDA ORTIZ, LAFAYETTE MIRTA N. PARODI, LAFAYETTE JHUN BILBAO, LAFAYETTE CARRIE ALVAREZ, NORMAN PEDS LAUREN R. LONG, NORMAN PEDS MARISELA E. RODRIGUEZ, NORMAN PEDS SOPHIA VANDERSCHANS, PAC ANALIESE D. PRESSLEY, PAC CECIA MONTES HERNANDEZ, PAC MIKAYLA GUZMAN, PAC PATRICIA BOTELLO, PAC MIREYA BARRAZA, PAC

MOTHER’S DAY TRIBUTE

My mother's name is Gwendolyn, and she was the mom of 6 kids. My mom gave everything to make sure we were happy. She was the type of person who would give everything she had and didn't ask for anything in return. She was special to her grandkids as well and made sure they didn't go without. I lost my mom on July 23, 2021, and celebrating Mother's Day without her has been the hardest for her girls. I want to send this special Happy Mother's Day message to my mom.

-Akitha Morris

My mom is nurturing and loving.

-Cassy Genovese

Tragically, I lost my mom at the age of 19, in 1998.

But her legacy forever lives on. She was such a brilliant presence and brought light to whoever had the privilege to know her. I didn't get as much time as I wanted with her, but she taught me so much about love and kindness.

-Linnzi Drummond

My mother is special to me because she has always been my #1 fan. She helped me throughout my life with my children so that I could work and attend college. When my son was diagnosed with cancer, she was right by my side. There are no words to express my gratitude towards my mother. I love her with all my heart!

-Rhea Gomez

to our team Rakeem Bragg

Desktop Support Technician, Admin.

Joseph Chwaliszewski

Clinical Services Medical-Float, PAC

Perla Flores

Evelyn Gramajo

Maria Mena

Magdalena Molina

PSR I, Straka

Dental Assistant I, Straka

Stephanie Osuna PSR I, Lafayette

PSR I, North Portland

Dental Assistant I, Straka

Sergio Padilla

Medical Assistant I, Straka

Toy Davis PSR I, Britton

Viviana Herrera

Medical Records Specialist, PAC

Daisy Ortiz

PSR I, Pete White

Karly Quijano PSR- Float, PAC

Eunice Reyes

Alicia Renteria

Healthy Expectations Advocate , Lafayette WIC B. Peer Cllr, Lafayette

Emily Soto-Ocasio

Medical Records Specialist , PAC

Marisol Vargas

Jessica Turner

Medical Assistant II, Crooked Oak

Medical Assistant I, Britton

Carina Vela Reza

Parvaneh Whitson

Dental Assistant I , Straka

Shelly Simmons

Payment Specialist, Admin.

PSR I, Reno

MEET OUR NEW

Provider

Melissa Alfred Sequoyah

Tia Williams

Dental Assistant III, Straka