RI Dept. of Health Director Larkin shares insight on new Primary Care Training Sites Program

During the 2024 General Assembly session, legislation was passed to enhance curriculum and clinical training to support and strengthen primary care. The Primary Care Training Sites Program was launched, investing $2.7 million to expand interdisciplinary clinical training at 30 advanced primary care sites, increasing training capacity by 50% for nurse practitioners, physician assistant students, and physician residents. The program seeks to address the state’s primary care shortage and encourage future providers to remain in RI after licensure. The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has been charged with overseeing this important new initiative. We connected with Director Jerome Larkin, MD, for more insight on this effort.

1. Following the enabling legislation passed last General Assembly session, what steps has the Department taken to launch the Primary Care Training Sites Program?

Since the passage of the enabling legislation, RIDOH has taken several critical steps to design and implement the Primary Care Training Sites Program. These steps include hiring a program manager, developing regulations, establishing an application process, defining funding mechanisms to ensure transparency and equitable distribution of resources, and obtaining the necessary delegated authority to award grants directly to training sites. Read more.

2. How do you anticipate this Program will uniquely help Rhode Island address the continued primary care crisis?

While an overarching goal of the program is to encourage trainees to remain in Rhode Island after completing their education, its immediate priority is to increase and enhance the state's clinical training capacity. By providing financial support to training sites, the program enables practices to implement funding models that help sustain their preceptors—the clinicians who train future doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants—by allowing them to better balance teaching and direct patient care responsibilities. Read more.

3. What should primary care practices and care teams know about this new Program?

Primary care practices should know that this program provides financial support to help expand their capacity to train medical residents, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Participating sites will receive funding based on their anticipated enrollment of trainees, helping to offset the costs associated with clinical education. Read more.

Call for Applications: Optimizing

Team-Based Care

In collaboration with Art of Medical Leadership (AML), CTC-RI is offering an opportunity for up to 10 patient-centered medical home practices in Rhode Island to participate in a 12-month program that seeks to revolutionize team-based care. This program extends beyond traditional leadership-focused training to engage the entire primary care team in building collaboration, trust, and sustainable care practices.

CTC-RI, with generous funding from UnitedHealthcare, will provide stipends to practices to support this initiative. Using a multidisciplinary approach, practices will learn through self-paced videos, virtual sessions, and in-person workshops to gain the practical tools to enhance psychological safety, address implicit bias, improve communication, and operationalize team-based care. Facilitation support will be provided by Kristin David, PsyD, Nelly Burdette, PsyD, and AML leader’s Suzan Oran and Nicole Oran.

Interested practices can view the call for applications.

February Clinical Strategy Committee to focus on Alcohol Use Disorder and the AHEAD Model

Don't miss out on two important Clinical Strategy presentations on critical aspects of healthcare in RI on February 21 at 7:30am.  

• Nelly Burdette, PsyD, Chief Clinical Officer and Linda Cabral, MM, Senior Program Manager at CTC-RI, will present their draft proposal and approaches for a project focused on Alcohol Use Disorder. 
• Al Charbonneau, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Business Group on Health, will provide an insightful analysis of the Hospital Cost Trends Data and perspective on the AHEAD model. 

These presentations will contribute valuable perspectives to our ongoing efforts to improve clinical outcomes and optimize healthcare resources. To join, email Michelle Mooney (mmooney@ctc-ri.org). 

CTC-RI partnering with RIDOH to launch new Primary Care Training Sites Program

CTC-RI is excited to have a role in implementing the RIDOH Primary Care Training Sites Program. Created by legislation proposed by the CTC-RI Primary Care Task Force on Workforce Development and co-sponsored by Senator Pamela Lauria and Representative Kathleen Fogarty, the Program will provide funding to primary care practices that sign up to precept students in medical school and graduate nurse practitioner and physician assistant programs. The program aims to expand clinical training capacity in community primary care sites and create a standard curriculum for preceptors to expose students to the joys of primary care practice, orienting students to the members of the primary care team and providing patient-centered care. CTC-RI will be responsible for curriculum development, training preceptors and engaging preceptors in a supportive learning community to share successes, learn from challenges, and inform continuous program improvement, with a goal of building and sustaining a network of high-quality clinical training sites for future primary care providers. RIDOH expects to launch the training program in summer 2025 and will provide grant funding of up to $90,000 to eligible primary care practices. 

Community Health Worker / Medical Assistant Core Asthma Training Program

CTC-RI received 35 applications for the CHW/MA Asthma Basics Training, funded by RIDOH, and successfully selected 15 community health workers, medical assistants, and patient care navigators to participate. These individuals represent a variety of organizations, including pediatric practices, community-based organizations, and healthcare systems.

The lead faculty for this training is June Tourangeau, LPN/AE-C, Certified Asthma Educator, and CTC-RI Asthma Education Consultant. June brings a wealth of experience, having previously worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital and as a Certified Asthma Educator, working closely with families in the community. The Asthma Education Program for CHWs, developed by the Association of Asthma Educators, covers five core modules: the scope of asthma, triggers and environmental control, medications, medication delivery devices, and assessment and monitoring.



In April, CTC-RI will host Asthma Home Visitor training for participants in this cohort. Due to high demand, we will host a second cohort in May to accommodate the remaining applicants.

Welcome to our new Program Coordinator!

Meet Mitchell Irving, MPH (he/him), CTC-RI's newest Program Coordinator. Mitchell will support an ongoing CTC-RI initiative related to advancing RI’s primary care workforce, including expanding clinical training site capacity, curriculum development, and provider engagement. He will also be supporting several CTC-RI committees, including the Clinical Strategy Committee and the Breakfast of Champions, as well as helping to launch a new training series on pediatric anxiety.



“I was thrilled to find such a unique opportunity at CTC-RI that blends my academic background in public health and my varied professional experiences in mixed-methods research, healthcare administration and clinician well-being. Over just my first few weeks here, it has been so exciting to learn about the range of projects and substantive impact that CTC-RI’s work has had in RI. It is an honor to join such a passionate and supportive team advancing primary care in the state that I now call home," said Mitchell. Read more.

Don't miss our CME credit learning opportunities!

Did you know CTC-RI offers CME credits for select meetings, including asynchronous viewing of meeting recordings? Don't miss our latest learnings!

Care Coordination: Developmental Delay/Autism ECHO

• Feb. 12 Session 2: Team Based Approach to an Inclusive Office Environment for People with Neurodiversity | 1 Credit

CTC-RI MomsPRN ECHO® Learning Series

• Jan. 21 Cannabis Use During Pregnancy: What’s the evidence and Having the Conversation | Recording | Presentation | Evaluation & CME Credit | max 1 credit 
• Feb. 18 Engaging with Doulas-Empowering Birthing People | Recording | Presentation | Evaluation & CME Credit | max 1 credit (pending approval)

Best Practices in Team-Based Care Meeting: Nurse Care Managers in Action 

Seventy-five participants attended the January Best Practices in Team-Based Care webinar, where nurse care managers showcased their capstone projects and shared real-life patient case studies. These presentations highlighted the impact of the GLearn Core Curriculum Training Program in enhancing their ability to support patients with complex needs in primary care.

Congratulations to Kerri Walsh, RN (CNE Family Care Center), Margaret Mellor, RN, BSN, MSN (RIPCPC), Cydney Gregory, RN (Wood River Health), and Jamie Ferris, BSN, RN, CLC (Aquidneck Pediatrics) for successfully completing the program and contributing to improved patient outcomes.

A special thank you to UnitedHealthcare for its ongoing support in sponsoring this vital workforce development initiative.

New ECHO® Learning Series: Supporting People Living with Dementia and Their Care Partners 

CTC-RI, in collaboration with RIGEC, is launching a new ECHO® learning series focused on best practices for dementia care using the 4M framework: What Matters Most, Medications, Mentation, and Mobility. This free, virtual series offers a unique opportunity for healthcare professionals to engage in expert-led discussions and case-based learning. Sessions will be biweekly on Thursdays, 7:30–8:30am, starting March 27. Participants can join flexibly or commit to at least four sessions and present a case to be eligible for a $250 incentive. CEU credits (pending) are available for medicine, nursing, and social work. Register by March 13 and see flyer for more details.

STI Best Practices ECHO® Learning Series: Hepatitis C

In January, CTC-RI hosted the fifth session in its Best Practices in Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) in Primary Care: ECHO® Learning Series, funded by UnitedHealthcare. The session was led by Alan Epstein, MD, Open Door Health, who previously served as Roger Williams Medical Center Director of Gastroenterology and was an Assistant Professor at Boston University School of Medicine. He founded the American Liver Foundation (RI Chapter) and served on its medical advisory board for over 30 years. 

During the session, 35 participants learned about: 

• Epidemiologic trends of Hepatitis C infections in the U.S. 
• Health equity considerations, including socioeconomic and cultural barriers impacting at-risk populations. 
• Best practices for screening, testing, and treatment, as well as innovative strategies to reduce barriers to care for patients and their partners. 

A recording of the session is available here. Click here to claim CME/CEU credits. The next session in the STI ECHO® Learning Series will take place on February 26, 7:30–8:30am, featuring Dr. Katherine Hsu presenting on other STIs. 

Cardiovascular Disease Learning Collaborative

In January, CTC-RI supported a Cardiovascular Disease Learning Collaborative Best Practice Sharing meeting. This RIDOH-funded collaborative brings together staff from Clinica Esperanza and RI Free Clinic to support them in expanding their use of screenings for health-related social needs and improving care for people with cardiovascular disease. Information was presented from important referral programs including Wisewoman, Community Health Network, and Ready for Health. The recording can be found here and slides can be found here.

Diabetes / Chronic Kidney Disease Learning Collaborative

The "Implementing Primary Care and Pharmacy Strategies to Improve Care for Patients with Diabetes" project aims to enhance diabetes screening and treatment in primary care, detect eye and kidney disease earlier, and support better glycemic control.

At the January Diabetes Learning Collaborative, seven participating practices shared insights from chart audits and Q1/Q2 performance data on eye exams, kidney evaluations, and glycemic control. They also discussed updated performance plans, successes, challenges, and next steps.

Steve Kogut, PhD, MBA, RPh, reviewed baseline survey results, highlighting screening barriers and factors contributing to incomplete exams. Kelley Sanzen, PharmD, PAHM, CDOE, presented on academic detailing, emphasizing its role in strengthening relationships, improving knowledge, and promoting evidence-based medicine. Her session covered success strategies, objection handling, and brainstorming techniques.

The seven practices continue their great work! This project is funded by UnitedHealthcare and RIDOH.

Addressing Alcohol Use Disorder in Primary Care Think Tank Series 

The fifth session of the Addressing Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in Primary Care Think Tank took place in January. Led by Nelly Burdette, PsyD, CTC-RI Chief Clinical Officer, the session reviewed key themes from previous meetings, including AUD in Rhode Island, emergency and inpatient visit trends, and connections with peer recovery coaches and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs).

Participants then shared recommendations for potential pilot focus areas, including content, training, population groups, delivery methods, policy considerations, and community partnerships. (Session recording, slides, previous recordings, and previous slides available.) Final pilot recommendations will be presented at the Clinical Strategy Committee meeting on February 21 at 7:30 AM. Read more.

February is American Heart Month ❤️

February is American Heart Month, a great time to focus on heart health. Heart disease is the #1 cause of death in RI, but small steps can make a big difference. Here’s what can help this month: 

1. Check the basics: 

• Blood Pressure: Make sure patients know their numbers. 
• Cholesterol & Blood Sugar: Keep screenings updated. 
• Weight & BMI: Talk about healthy goals.

2. Talk health habits:

• Eating: Suggest heart-healthy foods like fruits, veggies, and whole grains. 
• Exercise: Recommend 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. 
• Quit Smoking: Offer resources, such as Quit Works RI and Tobacco Free RI, to help patients quit.  

3. Share easy resources: 

• Hand out simple tips or direct patients to the American Heart Association website. 
• Let them know about any local heart health events, like the Southern New England Heart Walk on June 7. 

4. Don’t forget mental health: 

• Stress can affect the heart. Check in on how patients are feeling emotionally too. 

Thanks for helping keep our community’s hearts healthy this February! 

CBO Spotlight: Tides Family Services

Our primary care transformation efforts often include the support and partnership of statewide community-based organizations (CBOs). CTC-RI is spotlighting a different CBO monthly to recognize and appreciate their work in our communities. This month, we spoke with Beth A. Bixby, MSW, LICSW, Chief Executive Officer at Tides Family Services.

1. What ways does your organization uniquely support Rhode Islanders?

Tides Family Services is a nonprofit dedicated to stabilizing children and adolescents experiencing behavioral health crises in Rhode Island. We specialize in home-based, intensive interventions that prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, reduce out-of-home placements, and support long-term well-being. Unlike traditional service models, Tides brings services directly to youth and families—in homes, schools, and communities—with immediate access to care. Read more.

2. How can a partnership with primary care providers strengthen your work?

Collaboration with pediatricians is essential to preventing crises from escalating and ensuring that children receive the right care at the right time. Many of the youth we serve have complex behavioral health needs, including anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, self-harm, aggression, and trauma-related disorders. Without intervention, these challenges often lead to repeated ER visits, inpatient psychiatric stays, or juvenile justice involvement. Read more.

3. What's something you'd like the primary care community to understand about your organization?

Tides Family Services is not just a service provider—we are a critical safety net for children in behavioral health crises. Our 24/7 mobile response and intensive outpatient care offer pediatricians and families an alternative to emergency departments, long waitlists, and fragmented services.

Without the right support, these challenges can escalate into psychiatric hospitalizations, school disruptions, or legal consequences. Tides’ MRSS and IOP services provide immediate stabilization and ongoing therapeutic care—helping kids heal while staying in their communities. Read more.

Survey: Federal policies and primary care

The Larry A. Green Center and VCU School of Medicine have launched a 5-minute survey of primary care clinicians regarding the potential effects of changes to federal policies on the response and capacity of practices and patients. This is a great opportunity to have our voices in RI heard at the federal level. Previous survey responses have been shared directly with CMS leaders and more broadly through peer-reviewed publications. Take the survey here (open through Feb. 26).

Upcoming CTC-RI Committee Meetings and Workgroups

• February 21, 07:30-09:00AM – Clinical Strategy Committee Meeting 
• February 28, 07:30-08:45AM – Board of Directors 
• March 21, 07:30-09:00AM – Clinical Strategy Committee Meeting 
• March 28, 07:30-08:45AM – Board of Directors 

Upcoming Learning Collaboratives and Professional Development

• February 20, 07:30-09:00AM – 4M Framework Wrap-Up Learning Collaborative 
• February 21, 12:00-01:00PM – Integrated Behavioral Health Meet and Eat 
• February 24, 12:00-01:00PM – Healthy Tomorrows Quarterly Learning Collaborative meeting - Cohort 4 
• February 26, 07:30-08:30AM – ECHO: Best Practices in Addressing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) in Primary Care 
• February 27, 07:30-08:30AM – Pediatric Sleep ECHO series 
• March 06, 07:30-08:00AM – Virtual Coffee Breaks with Dr Pat Flanagan & Dr Beth Lange 
• March 11, 12:00-01:00PM – MomsPRN Learning Collaborative Wrap-Up Meeting 
• March 12, 08:00-09:00AM – CTC-RI Primary Care Workforce Taskforce Meeting 
• March 12, 12:00-01:00PM – Screened for Developmental Delay, Now What? ECHO 
• March 13, 07:30-09:00AM – DULCE Learning Collaborative Meeting 
• March 14, 07:30-08:30AM – Breakfast of Champions 
• March 18, 08:00-09:00AM – Best Practices in Team Based Care (formerly NCM/CC Best Practice Sharing) 
• March 18, 12:00-01:00PM – MomsPRN ECHO Series  
• March 20, 07:30-09:00AM – Kick Off Optimizing Clinical Teams  
• March 21, 12:00-01:00PM – Integrated Behavioral Health Meet and Eat 
• March 27, 07:30-08:30AM – Pediatric Sleep ECHO Series 
• March 31, 11:00-12:30PM – CHW Advocacy Network for Leadership