VC, The Magazine | Issue 46

June 2024 | Issue 46

Strategically Aligning

with

Employee of the Month: Analiese Pressley Page 4

Cover Pag

Welcome to the Team!

Page 12

r Story ge 6

Father’s Day Tributes Page 11

Spot Screening Vision Tool Page 13

Analiese Pressley Medical Records Specialist, PAC

Courtney Sharpe, Sequoyah

Monica Lopez, Reno

Employee of the Month:

Availability

How long have you been at Variety Care?

I just celebrated my first year May 8, 2024!

You were nominated for Availability and in your nomination, you do not just make it a duty to our patients but to staff as well to help and going above and beyond.

What motivates you to go that extra mile?

My parents taught me at a young age that “there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” I find that statement to be very true.

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

It’s an honor and a great feeling to be appreciated.

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

Medical Records is more than just processing documents. At the end of the day, I find satisfaction in knowing that I personally made a positive impact in the care of someone’s loved one.

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

I like working at Variety Care because we are ready and able to help those in our community.

There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.

-Analiese Tell us about yourself.

I’m a single mother of five amazing kids.

My children are very active in sports and keep me (and my bank account) busy. I became interested in the medical field after becoming the primary caretaker for my father before his passing. Having been on the receiving end of needing help at times, motivates me to help others as much as I can. I look forward to continuing to be available to help my team and my community as I further my career at Variety Care.

VC | Page 5

Strategically Aligning with

A new Variety Care/NorthCare Alignment Oversight Team has formed to look at areas both organizations can collaborate on to save costs; eliminate barriers to patient care; increase operational efficiencies; and help staff perform their duties.

Team assignments and/or committees have been identified who will work on solutions across many topic areas such as IT; communications; HR/Benefits; facilities; policies/procedures/procurement; and more. These teams will report back to the oversight team and VC/NC leadership with recommendations on implementation, and staff will receive updates monthly.

Staff questions concerning the alignment can be sent to together@varietycare.org.

Benefits Team

Leader: Don Morris Team: Shawna Hall (NC), Tim Reddout (VC), Janet Campbell (VC). Butch Rice (NC), Cynthia McGough (VC), LT Knighten (VC) The Benefits team will complete a cross-organization review of employee benefits to create a pathway to a competitive, relevant (and flexible where possible) menu of benefits including: time off, paid and shared benefits that value tenure, performance and experience.

I.T. Team

Leader: Butch Rice Team: Allen Tinsley (VC), Barb Weitman (VC). Kevin Marble (NC), Deena Clifton (NC), Butch Rice (NC) This team will engage the IT and systems team of professionals at both organizations to review and devise a plan that leads to a combined system where advisable and possible in the areas of administration.

The team will begin to explore and connect patient information as needed for better care and better outcomes (EMR systems or interface existing).

Communications Leader: LT Knighten Team: Connie Schlittler (NC), Tonya Ratcliff (NC), Carol Martin (VC), Lori Timmons (VC), Heide Edwards (VC) The communications team will integrate internal and external messaging for the aligned organization.

Currently, specific projects will remain focused on internal communications to keep patient confusion to a minimum.

Pharmacy

Insurance

Leader: Mickey Phan, PharmD (VC)

Leader: Tim Reddout

Team: Shawna Hall (NC), Butch Rice (NC)

Team: Shawna Hall (NC), Butch Rice (NC)

Policies/Processes/Procurement Team Leader: Melissa Peros

Team: Butch Rice (NC), Belinda Bowen (NC), Shawna Hall (NC), Deena Clifton (NC), Ashley Horn (VC)

Other Categories: Facilities

Purchasing

Value Based Care/Population Health

Reception/Referral Contracts

Credentialling

Student Training/Prescribers

Sally Kerr, MHR, LPC, has been named the Executive Director of NorthCare.

Sally is an experienced mental health and substanceabuse provider with over 25 years of service in the field of integrated care. Prior to her new role, Sally led Integrated Health Services for Variety Care for over a decade, where she oversaw the operations of the Behavioral Health, Nutrition, Social Services and Healthy Expectations programs.

Under her leadership, the organization bolstered its strategies toward the implementation of integrated care, culminating in the strategic alignment on June 15, 2024 between Variety Care and NorthCare.

“I’m thankful for the path Randy Tate, the NorthCare leadership team and each of the individual staff members have paved for our consumers and the communities served over the past 35 years,” said Sally.

“I look forward to leading NorthCare into its future, accomplishing our mission together,” she added.

Sally received her Master’s degree from the University of Oklahoma and is a Licensed Professional Counselor.

She is certified in Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory; Addiction Severity Index; ASAM; and as a Behavioral Health Case Manager.

Katy Knight, LCSW, has been named the Interim Director of Integrated Health Services for Variety Care.

Katy has served as the Manager of Integrated Health Services at Variety Care since 2015. In that time, she has worked on several key initiatives including behavioral health integration, trauma-informed care training for all staff and Medicaid expansion. Prior to her new role, Katy worked as a care manager, behavioral health therapist, social services coordinator, and case manager for individuals with HIV. “I look forward to serving in this new role and, alongside this amazing team, continuing to further the mission of Variety Care,” said Katy.

Outside of work, Katy enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to live music, and is always on the hunt for a perfect pastry.

The United Way Pacesetter Games is a fundraising and team-building event that marks the beginning of the organization's campaign season.

This event includes a range of competitive and enjoyable activities, intended to foster teamwork, engagement, and community spirit among all participants.

Variety Care staff even had the opportunity to mingle with their new NorthCare counterparts before battling it out on the field.

VC | Page 8

JUNE

Anniversaries 20+ YEARS OF SERVICE

3 YEARS OF SERVICE

BARBARA SOLTERO, STRAKA, 23 YEARS BRIAN SHARP, MID-DEL, 23 YEARS

YAHAIRA ARMENDARIZ, BAPTIST PORTLAND EMMA C. DANG, STRAKA ESTER P. FAVELA-ESTRADA, PAC MELANY HERNANDEZ, NW 10TH DIANA J. MCCLOUD, ADMIN ADRIANA ORTEGA, YUKON ELSA TREJO CAMPOS, NORMAN FP

10 + YEARS OF SERVICE ALLEN TINSLEY, ADMIN, 10 YEARS JULIE A. MCCOY, STRAKA, 11 YEARS LUZ V. OLVERA, ADMIN, 12 YEARS JULIA M. MORRISON, STRAKA, 13 YEARS JIL R. MONTE, LAKEPOINTE, 15 YEARS MARIBEL MARTINEZ, LAFAYETTE, 18 YEARS

5+ YEARS OF SERVICE MARISSA E. BARRAZA, STRAKA, 5 YEARS ROSIE DIAZ, STRAKA, 5 YEARS CLIFFTON D. LAWSON, ADMIN, 5 YEARS MIGUEL A. LOPEZ ROSAS, ADMIN, 6 YEARS JAIME MAYORGA, BRITTON, 6 YEARS JENNIFER SERNA, BRITTON, 6 YEARS CAROLINA RODARTE, PAC, 7 YEARS ELIZABETH RAINWATER, MID-DEL, 8 YEARS NANCY ALMARAZ, BAPTIST PORTLAND, 9 YEARS TERESA ROSALES, N. PORTLAND, 9 YEARS LILIANA DELEON, STRAKA, 9 YEARS BOBBIE PRUITT, STRAKA, 9 YEARS

4 YEARS OF SERVICE ALMA L. PEREZ, FT. COBB BRENDA LOZANO, LAFAYETTE

2 YEARS OF SERVICE ANDREA D. ANGELES, STRAKA MERCEDES CARPENTER, STRAKA EMILI Z. ESTRADA, YUKON MATILDE I. OLIVERA, PAC ROSA V. VALDEZ, N. PORTLAND JINELLEY K. RIVAS, ADMIN CAROLINA RAMIREZ, LAFAYETTE GLADYS G. PEREZ, LAFAYETTE

1 YEAR OF SERVICE LIZBET COVARRUBIAS, LAFAYETTE KUMAR ENNAMURI, NORMAN FP MONICA LOPEZ, RENO CARLY MONTOGOMERY, SEQUOYAH LACI D. GIL, YUKON RAHIL KHALILI, YUKON AYLINE VICENCIO, STRAKA ADRIANA L. MANCINAS, STRAKA HITESH KAYASTHA, STRAKA EMELIN GONZALEZ, PAC RUTH MIRELES, PAC JOSUE A. MORAN PEREIRA, PAC MARYCRUZ NAVA, PAC ZULLY KENTIA K. SANCHEZ GUTIERREZ, PAC JENNIFER N. VAZQUEZ, PAC LUZY VILLALON, PAC

FATHER’S DAY TRIBUTE

-Daryl Briggs My dad passed away earlier this year, but throughout my life, he was such a wonderful inspiration and guide for me. He helped me make decisions by relating choices he made in similar situations, showing me the pros and cons of any option. Most of all, he is the one who led me to God. I will forever be grateful to him.

-Lydia Nightingale My dad is 91 years old, and if you spend any time with me, you know he lives with me and drives me crazy! But what drives me crazy is that he is strong, stubborn, and independent, and he wants things done the right way. These are all the same qualities that I have, and they are what have made me successful in my life and my career. I am thankful that he instilled these traits in me and that they have given him the ability to pick himself back up after every fall, setback, and hardship in life. He is a good role model and loves me, my sister, and all of his grandkids.

- Sierra Lacey

-Julia Morrison

This is my husband, Austin. I nominated his picture because he is a stay-at-home dad and the backbone of our family. I would not have succeeded in my career if it weren't for him.

My dad and his brothers mean the world to me, and I can't imagine my life without them. They all offer unwavering love and support, and I am incredibly lucky to call them family.

-Emily Allen My dad is my absolute best friend. He embodies everything good in this world, and if I can be just half of the person he is, I'm golden.

to our team Angelita Gonzalez Billing Clerk I Admin.

Brianna Cardenas

Warda Arnold

Janet Campbell

Purchasing Assistant Lafayette

Benefits & Comp.

Admin.

PSR I Straka

Patient Access Specialist PAC

Corina Castillo

Elizabeth Galo

Joselyn Hernandez

Emily Maldonado

Yahir Medina

Community Health Worker PAC

Yani Mendoza

Patient Access Specialist PAC

PSR I NW 10th

Nubia Ojeda PSR I Straka

PSR I Reno

Quality Data Intern PAC

Carolyn Owens

RN-Telephone Triage & TCM PAC

Csummer Phea

Berenice Quinonez

Saray Ramirez

Cristian Reyes

Geri Staats

Daniella Suarez

Dental Assistant III Straka

Referral Specialist PAC

Dental Assistant II Straka

Medical Assistant I N. Portland

PSR I - Dental Lafayette

Patient Access Specialist PAC

Bianca Quinonez

PSR I Lafayette

Marlen Salas

Medical Assistant I N. Portland

Veronika Thomas

Dental Assistant I Straka

Yamilexs Vazquez Medical Assistant II Yukon

Variety Care is thrilled to introduce a new vision screening tool for children aged 1-5, thanks to an early childhood development grant. This advanced tool is already live at Putnam, Yukon, Baptist Portland, Lafayette and Crooked Oak, and will soon be available at Alameda, Straka, Britton, Mid-Del, and NW 10th. The tool, designed for young children, can also be used for patients of all ages. This is an exciting advancement in our commitment to providing top-notch care. Check out the video to learn more!

Spot Vision Screener

Each year, on June 19th, we commemorate Juneteenth, a marks the emancipation of enslaved African Americans i and acknowledges the ongoing journey toward racial eq Committee's perspective, Juneteenth serves as a remind workplace where every voice is heard and valued. Learn

a significant day in American history. Juneteenth n the United States. This day celebrates freedom quality. From our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion der of our commitment to fostering an inclusive more about Juneteenth and its significance here.

39th Street Pride