VC, The Magazine | Issue 37

Sept. 2023 | ISSUE 37

FLU SEASON Be a flu fighter

Employee of the Month: Tami VanNahmen Page 4

Packed with Nutrients Page 8

On The Page

e Move e 10

Cover Story Page 6

Welcome to the Team!

Page 12

Tami VanNahmen Anita Garcia Practice Administrator Dental Receptionist Yukon VARIETY CARE | 4

Employee of the Month: Loyalty You were nominated for exemplifying the character core of Loyalty because you changed your plans last minute to help your team work through major technical issues. What does loyalty mean to you?

Loyalty means a lot, it shows that you can count on that person, that they will do everything they can to help you. That’s what I try to do for my coworkers at Yukon, I want to be an advocate, a support system, and someone they can count on.

How does the work you do impact you personally?

As a practice administrator, I do not provide direct care to patients, so my response may be a little different than others. I’m most fulfilled when I have a team member tell me they are happy at their job. They are happy with their work environment; they get along with their coworkers and they feel supported. A lot goes into each decision we make as administrators, in the end, we try WE CAN WORK THROUGH ANYTHING to make the decision that’s best for How long have you been working at IF HONESTY DRIVES the overall clinic, even if it’s not always Variety Care?

OUR ACTIONS AND obvious to others.

COMMUNICATIONS. I’ve been at Variety for five years.

How does it feel to be recognized as What do you hope your teammates -Tami Employee of the Month? learn from you?

Receiving positive employee and patient feedback.

That we can work through almost anything if That means I’ve done my job, providing a good honesty drives our actions and communications. environment, hiring the right staff, and connecting If we have a good foundation, most of the time the right team members to be successful. a conversation can work out the issues we Everything is connected. encounter.

What are some things you love about working for Variety Care?

I share the same love for our mission as most Variety Care employees do, “Variety Care is All for Health and Health for All” It’s important that we help others get the healthcare they need, and it gives us a purpose as human beings. I also appreciate that our leaders, including the board, take into consideration how the outside world is doing, and they help as much as possible, for example, with the gas stipend we received for many months.

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

There’s never a dull moment when you are serving the community. We are constantly learning and improving.

What has been the most rewarding part of your job?

Receiving positive employee and patient feedback.

That means I’ve done my job, providing a good environment, hiring the right staff, and connecting the right team members to be successful.

Everything is connected.

Tell us about your family.

My husband’s Name is Ethan we have two beautiful (I know I’m biased) children.

Maverick and Piper. They never stop so I never stop.

Describe yourself in 3 words.

Honest, Candid, and Considerate.

Dr. Jason Graham

Director of Pediatrics

Parker Hulin

Immunization Coordinator

VARIETY CARE | 6

Stay Safe and Healthy This Flu Season

by Belen Carrasco-Mata, Cristo Rey Student As flu season approaches, it's crucial for both Another concern as the seasons change is RSV healthcare professionals and patients to be (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) infections and well-prepared. In the United States, the typical their seasonal patterns. RSV outbreaks in the flu season spans the fall and winter months, United States typically occur during late fall, with December and February being the peak winter, and early spring. The timing of RSV periods of influenza virus activity. Variety outbreaks can vary by region and community.

Care Immunization Coordinator Parker Hulin explained that the CDC continuously collects Dr. Graham also discussed the current status of data throughout the year to RSV and flu cases, mentioning monitor flu trends. “The severity that while they are relatively and impact of the flu can vary STUDIES SHOW THAT low at the moment, there is THE FLU VACCINE from one season to another,” a gradual increase in their PREVENTS MILLIONS she noted. prevalence. Additionally, he OF PEOPLE FROM highlighted the upcoming CONTRACTING THE The CDC suggests that everyone RSV vaccine, which will be ILLNESS AND ALSO aged six months and older GREATLY REDUCES THE administered to infants aged 8 should receive an annual flu RATE OF FLU-RELATED months and younger, providing HOSPITALIZATIONS vaccination. "Studies show that further protection against RSV. the flu vaccine prevents millions of people from contracting the Now that the seasonal flu -Parker illness and also greatly reduces vaccine has arrived at all Variety the rate of flu-related hospitalizations," Hulin Care locations, we can do our part to keep the emphasized. community healthy. Straka will be holding Saturday flu vaccine clinics on October 7 and Variety Care’s Director of Pediatrics Dr. Jason 13 from 8 a.m. – noon. While appointments Graham says that children often face a higher are preferred, walk-ins will also be accepted. risk of flu infection due to their interactions Lafayette will also be holding vaccine clinics for at school and daycare facilities. Additionally, children aged 6 months - 18 years, Saturday, children have a tendency to touch their faces November 4 and 11, from 8 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and put objects in their mouths, increasing Lafayette flu vaccine clinics are available by their exposure risk. Dr. Graham said the most appointment only. important thing to teach our children is good hygiene. “Learning how to wash their hands is important because it will help prevent them from getting sick,” he explained.

Jennifer Evans Registered Dietician

VARIETY CARE | 8

Packed with Nutrients

by Heide Edwards, Communications Coordinator

Now that kids have gone back to school, parents everywhere are facing a familiar challenge packing lunches for their little learners. Variety Care Dietician Jennifer Evans says that when preparing meals, balance is key.

However, creating that balance in portable portions can be tricky. “The carbs in your meal could consist of bread, crackers, or sometimes fruit if the kids are willing to eat it,” Evans suggests. “Often, parents don’t pack vegetables because their kids won’t eat them, but we want to have more vegetables and protein than carby options.”

are best – especially trail mix that has dried fruits and nuts. But for those kids and classrooms with nut allergies, she says cheese with a piece of fruit would still be a way to get some protein and fruit in their day. “Fruit is fine – it’s just sugary, which isn’t terrible, but a lot of the time it doesn’t satisfy hunger,” Evans explains. She also says that veggies dipped in hummus or guacamole are a great option as well.

We want to have more vegetables and protein than carby options

Additionally, while you may be tempted to pack your students something sweet to keep them motivated throughout the day, keep in mind that junk food should not be a daily indulgence. Evans suggests that we should opt instead to consume special treats just once a week.

Considering most students don’t have access to -Jennifer microwaves, she recognizes that options for packed Finally, she says the easiest lunches are limited. Evans says that while she way to get our little scholars to try a variety of doesn’t love suggesting sandwiches, sometimes foods is by getting them involved in preparing they are the easiest meal to serve our students their meals. “Touching and interacting with food on the go. is all part of getting someone interested in what they are eating,” Evans says.

Evans also provided some helpful tips to avoid pre-packaged deli meats: “If you’re making Packed with knowledge of nutrition, families can chicken or turkey sandwiches, buy chicken work together to ensure that their students have breasts and legs or turkey pieces and then season a successful school year! and cook them,” she explains. Evans says you can even cook the meat in large batches and divide it up with different seasonings to give kids some variety each day without it being filled with salt.

Another hurdle is snack time – how do you satisfy your child’s hunger in school if they have a late or early lunch? Evans says ideally, nuts and seeds

MOBILE DENTAL VAN

Photos by Eva Morales Communications Assistant/Videographer

On the Move With Variety Care's new Mobile Dental Van

Dental providers are making the move to serve patients in our rural areas!

The new mobile dental unit has been making the rounds to Variety Care Anadarko and Anadarko Headstarts. Next up: Fort Cobb Headstart and schools in the Maysville district.

In addition to the mobile dental unit, staff also has portable equipment they take into schools to accommodate parking issues.

to our team Priscilla Aguilar

Patient Access Specialist, PAC

Andria Campbell-Bredemeyer Data Analyst, Admin.

Olivia Cerna PSR, Lafayette

Medical Assistant II, Lafayette

Medical Assistant, Baptist Portland

Keyry Giron

Monica Iniguez

Jaime Lopez

Maria Martinez-Lopez

Karen Rivera

Kimberly Garcia

Collection Specialist, Admin.

RN Care Manager, Straka

Luna Tristen

Community Health Worker, Anadarko

VARIETY CARE | 12

Dental Assistant, Straka

Medical Assistant II, Straka

LaChonte Williams-Lampkin PSR, Britton

MEET OUR NEW Education: Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine Specialization: Pediatrics Mona Bahavar, DO, is dedicated to serving Oklahoma’s youth. She believes that building strong, trusting relationships with families is key to providing the high-quality care that children deserve.

Mona Bahavar, DO Pediatrics, Lafayette

Education: Kansas City University Specialization: Pediatrics Dr. Karen Chang, DO, is a pediatrician who loves serving her community and learning more about the ever-evolving world of healthcare. She provides patient-centered care through active listening and effective communication.

Karen Chang, D.O. Pediatrics, Lafayette

Education: Boston College Specialization: Women’s Health Maria Meyer, APRN-CNP, WHFP-BC, is a provider with a deep appreciation of the science and art behind nursing. She enjoys empowering her patients through education and preventative care.

Maria Meyer, APRN-CNP, WHFP-BC Women’s Health, North Portland

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October

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November

23

Lafayette Mid-Del

11:30 - 1:00 1:30 - 2:30

1

Britton

11:30 - 12:30

24

Sequoyah

11:30 - 12:30

2

25 N. Portland

11:30 - 12:30 1:30 - 2:30

12:00 - 1:00

6

Straka Pete White Reno

11:30 - 12:30

26 Portland B.

12:00 - 1:00

27 PAC

11:30 - 12:30

7

Fort Cobb Anadarko Grandfield

9:00 - 10:00 11:30 - 12:30 1:30 - 2:30

30

Norman FM Norman Peds

7:30 - 8:30 11:30 - 12:3

8

Yukon Putnam

7:30 - 8:30 12:00 - 1:00

31

Admin LakePointe

11:00 - 12:00 1:00 - 2:00

9

NW 10th

11:30 - 12:30