VC, The Magazine | Issue 53

VC, The Magazine SUCCESS.INNOVATION.JUSTICE.EXCELLENCE.

Celebrating Culture & Tradition with

OKC TAX HELP FLU ON THE RISE VALENTINE’S SPIRIT WEEK

JANUARY 2025 ISSUE NO. 53 INTRANET.VARIETYCARE.ORG

VC, THE MAGAZINE EDITOR

DESIGN & LAYOUT

CONTRIBUTOR

CONTACT US

HEIDE EDWARDS

EVA MORALES

FIDEL MORENO JR.

COMMUNICATIONS@VARIETYCARE.ORG

CONTENTS SUCCESS.INNOVATION.JUSTICE.EXCELLENCE.

3 OKC TAX HELP See if you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and where you can go to receive free tax preparation services.

5 CHARACTER CORE NOMINEES Check out this month’s Character Core Nominees and learn how to submit your own nominations.

7 FREE ZOO ADMISSION

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EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH

Free admission to the Oklahoma City Zoo for Healthcare Workers and Emergency Responders Appreciation Month.

8 BLACK HISTORY MONTH Free admission to the Greenwood Rising History Center in Tulsa.

11 SPIRIT WEEK!

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FLU CASES ON THE RISE

CHINESE NEW YEAR

Flu cases are on the rise in Oklahoma. See the latest data and what we can do to slow the spread.

Dijia Xin shares some of the history behind Chinese New Year traditions.

SPREAD THE LOVE THIS VALENTINE’S DAY 9 ANNIVERSARIES Celebrating January Variety Care anniversaries.

10 WELCOME TO THE TEAM Join us in welcoming our newest Variety Care team members!

VC, The Magazine

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Need Tax Help?

Tax season is here, and W-2s are ready! In previous years, we've had OKC Tax Help visit our clinics to assist both patients and staff. While the experts won’t be onsite this year, everyone can still get their taxes done for free at any VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) location.

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Eligibility The EITC is money from the government for people who work and make less than $66,819 a year. How much you get depends on your income and how many children you have. You could get between $632 and $7,830 back —most people get around $2,500.

Qualifying Children

Household Income

Filing Jointly

Maximum Credit

None

$18,591

$25,511

$632

1

$49,084

$56,004

$4,213

2

$55,768

$62,688

$6,960

3 or more

$59,899

$66,819

$7,830

2024 EITC Estimates Based on Your Income and Family Size

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SUCCESS.INNOVATION.JUSTICE.EXCELLENCE.

Employee of the Month: Responsibilty

Margarita Garcia Patient Access Specialist, PAC

Our top performer for the month of November was Margarita Garcia. In November 2024, we received about 23,000 calls, and Margarita handled 1,237 of them. In addition to handling calls, she also assisted with the PCP project and program scheduling with Pivot. She requeued 0 calls and maintained an average of 14 calls per hour. Thank you, Margarita, for your dedication to the team and your support of your pod team.

VC, The Magazine

Other Character Core Nominees: Irving Marquez, Admin................................... Respect Liliana de Leon, Straka................................... Trustworthiness Sabrina Winningham, Norman Himes............. Respect Mikaela Martinez, PAC................................... Attentiveness Maribel Espinoza, Reno................................... Initiative Brad Foley, Admin.......................................... Availabilty Jocelin Arroyo, Admin.................................... Orderliness Jessica Vaught, Baptist Portland...................... Trustworthiness Rhonda Webber, Britton................................. Compassion Christy Dodd, Britton...................................... Compassion Do you know a Care Team Hero who embodies our core values, exceeds expectations in their role or makes a meaningful impact on our community?

Now is your chance to help us celebrate their outstanding qualities!

There are two ways to nominate:

Or simply type "nominate" into the search bar on our company's Intranet.

Nominate someone today!

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S E S A C U L F E S I R E H T ON

Flu season is in full swing, and cases are rising across our state, increasing the number of patients seeking care. As healthcare professionals, we play a key role in protecting our communities by promoting prevention, identifying symptoms early and maintaining a safe environment for both patients and staff.

Encouraging vaccination is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of flu. Simple measures—like frequent handwashing, covering coughs, and disinfecting high-touch surfaces—can make a big difference in limiting transmission.

ccine, a v u l f The hing, s a w d han ughs, o c g n i cover home g n i y a and st infection. t preven

Thank you for your continued dedication this season. Your efforts help keep our patients, colleagues, and community healthier!

VC, The Magazine

FREE ZOO ADMISSION FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN FEBRUARY!

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To show appreciation, the Oklahoma City Zoo is offering free general admission for all healthcare workers and emergency responders, plus 50% off general admission for up to four guests (on the date of visit).

This special offer is available from Saturday, Feb. 1, to Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

It’s the zoo’s way of saying thank you for all you do.

Qualifying guests must present a valid work ID or badge at the zoo's ticket windows upon arrival to receive complimentary admission for themselves and discounts for up to four accompanying guests.

Advance reservations are not required.

Healthcare workers and emergency responders will also enjoy additional discounts while in the park with proof of a valid work ID or badge, including 10% off concessions at zoo restaurants and cafés, 10% off merchandise at the zoo's Safari Gifts, and $10 off an annual ZOOfriends membership for year-round enjoyment.

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SUCCESS.INNOVATION.JUSTICE.EXCELLENCE.

Celebrate Chinese New Year with Us! We’ve prepared a special video just for you to learn more about the traditions and celebrations of Chinese New Year!

Click on the picture to watch and discover fun facts, cultural insights, and ways we can all join in on this exciting holiday.

Meaningful Ways to Observe

BLACK HISTORY MONTH The Greenwood Rising History Center in Tulsa is offering free admission for Oklahoma residents every Friday from January 31 through March 7. To participate in "Freedom Fridays," residents must provide proof of Oklahoma residency and can reserve tickets in advance. The museum operates from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with the last tickets sold at 6 p.m.

For more details, including how to reserve tickets, visit Greenwood Rising's website.

VC, The Magazine

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JANUARY

Anniversaries 20+ YEARS OF SERVICE

3 YEARS OF SERVICE

CAROL MARTIN, LAKEPOINTE, 21 YEARS MIRIAM GUERRA, STRAKA, 22 YEARS ANGELICA ROSILES, LAFAYETTE, 24 YEARS

JENNIFER MIROSSAY, YUKON LAUREN RUIZ, BAPTIST PORTLAND KAREN SARGENT, NW 10TH NINA STREET, ADMIN LISA TROUNG, BRITTON KARLA E. CARRENO, RENO NADIA JONES, RENO GENESIS GONZALEZ, STRAKA ROSA PINEDA, STRAKA MARCELINA DELACRUZ, PAC BRE B. ROBERTS, PAC

10 + YEARS OF SERVICE JESSICA DONATO, LAFAYETTE, 10 YEARS BRENDA SANCHEZ, MID-DEL, 10 YEARS WHITNEY L. HEINRICH, STRAKA, 11 YEARS GLADYS PANDO, PAC, 11 YEARS MARTTI TAYLOR, ADMIN, 11 YEARS

5+ YEARS OF SERVICE JASMINE I. DELGADILLO, LAFAYETTE, 5 YEARS CATHERINE W. GARDNER, PUTNAM, 5 YEARS LAURA M. HILL, STRAKA, 5 YEARS ARACELI JIMENEZ, PAC, 5 YEARS SUSANA CARRILLO, BAPTIST PORTLAND, 6 YEARS YANCEY R. LUNA DIAZ, STRAKA, 6 YEARS ANGELA CASTRO-JENKINS, PAC, 8 YEARS KALI A. SEXTON, SEQUOYAH, 8 YEARS BRENDA M. LOPEZ, LAFAYETTE, 8 YEARS DULCE TORRES, LAFAYETTE, 8 YEARS DEBBIE MURNAN, BRITTON, 9 YEARS ROBERT SWINDELL, STRAKA, 9 YEARS

4 YEARS OF SERVICE TERESA GRANADOS, BRITTON KARLA SANTILLAN, NW 10TH

2 YEARS OF SERVICE IRVING MARQUEZ VALENCIA, ADMIN MELANIE D. MILLAN, PUTNAM ALEXIS SHELTON, LAFYETTE SAMANTHA MORENO, STRAKA JASMINE I. SANCHEZ, STRAKA SAMANTHA JACQUEZ, PAC GLORIA RAMOS, PAC KAYLA M. COMPTON, NORMAN PEDS CHRISTINE KNIGHT, NORMAN PEDS MARILU VILLEGAS, NORMAN PEDS

1 YEAR OF SERVICE BRANDY LITSON, NORMAN PEDS BROOKE NATION, ANADARKO TISHA ROMAN, LAFAYETTE MARTHA O. SAN JUAN, DENTAL VAN KEYSHA SANDERS, PAC IRMA PULIDO, BRITTON LESLIE J. ALVAREZ, BRITTON SINAI J. DUARTE, STRAKA KAREN HOLUBEC-SORSBY, STRAKA JACQUELINE SARABIA, STRAKA SANDRA S. CHINO JIMENEZ, PETE WHITE MARIANA MARTINEZ, PETE WHITE CRISTINA TRUJILLO, PETE WHITE

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o c l e m

Georgiana De Leon Medical Billing Lead

Yulisa Guevara PSR

Aldo Muñoz MA

Trupti Patel Physician

Ruth Barcenas PAS

Clariza Barron RN-Open Access Triage

Nataly Martinez PAS

James Cail Physician

Elizabeth Ballengee Sr. Dental Assistant

LaToya Jenkins Therapist

Samuel Le Physician Assistant

Adaline Lopez Dental Assistant

S p i s r ' i e t n i W t n e e l ek a V Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Sparkly Day

Valentine's color Day

Galentine's

Be Mine Day

Heart-Healthy Day

Feb.10

Feb. 11

Feb. 12

Feb. 13

Feb. 14

Don’t forget to submit Spirit Week photos to Communications!