Value Health
I take time for my own health to promote yours.
January 2024
Congratulations to Dr Sayyar Khakimov! Dr. Khakimov recently became board certified in Obesity Medicine.
Congratulations Dr. Okuagu! Dr. Okuagu, one of our first-year family medicine residents, was selected as a 2024 Arizona Health Policy Scholar and will participate in the Arizona Health Policy Scholars Program. Learn more at about this amazing accomplishment HERE.
Welcome New Employees!
These employees joined El Rio during the month of January.

Wendy Romero, Case Manager - El Pueblo
Susan Andrade, Medical Assistant - University
Brianna Rogoway, Medical Assistant - Congress
Brandon Buhring, Case Manager - Cherrybell
Farah Alramadan, Medical Assistant - HealthOn Broadway
Jennifer Tran, Psychiatrist - Cherrybell
Mona Darwich, BHP - Southeast
Cameron Davis, BHP - Grant
Kealani Creech, Physician Assistant - Congress
Natalie Krumdieck, Physician - Abrams
Melissa Kin, Revenue Cycle Specialist - Manning
Ryan Neira, Systems Engineer II - Manning
Valerie Munoz, HIM Supervisor - Congress
Cristal Jimenez, Licensed Practical Nurse - OB/GYN
Tom Tapia, Facilities Maint Tech II - Manning
Jezel Villa, Licensed Practical Nurse - OB/GYN
Samantha Medina, Licensed Practical Nurse - Congress
Ramona Cajero, Registered Nurse - Cherrybell
Yesenia Yescas-Rangel, Licensed Practical Nurse - Congress
Joseph Lock, Security Officer - Manning
Vanessa Hutchinson, Dental Office Specialist - Congress
Aaron Rohrman, Security Officer - Manning
Erica Rice, Medical Office Receptionist - Abrams
Andrea Inthisone, DOS - Southwest
Itzel Cruz, Medical Assistant - Northwest
Arianna Escobar, Medical Assistant - Abrams
Veronica Velazquez, Medical Assistant - Southeast
Jose Miranda, Care Coordinator Medical Assistant - Center of Opportunity
Hazel Hernandez, MOR - Grant
Jasmine Lizarraga Limas, MOR - Northwest
Joshua Anderson, Director of Development & Special Events - Manning
Martha Leon, Revenue Cycle Specialist - Manning
Ryan Neira, Systems Engineer II - Manning
Sandra Harris, Registered Nurse - Abrams
Ghiselle Salvador, Dental Office Specialist - Southeast
Nicolette Castillo, Security Officer - Manning
Alejandro Soto, Security Officer - Manning
You’re invited the El Rio Vecinos Block Party!

Purchase Your Discounted Tickets for the El Rio Foundation Fundraiser Today!
You will enjoy a London themed night of live music,
dancing, restaurant samplings and more!
 
  • This is an outdoor, over 21 event, at Plaza Palomino, 2900 N. Swan 
  • Saturday, April 6, 2024 – 7 to 11 pm
  • Proceeds benefit El Rio’s Cancer Treatment & Prevention Program

Click below to purchase with credit card or use the employee payroll deduction form. This event sells out quickly so please don’t delay! 

Contact Foundation with Questions: Foundation@elrio.org 520-205-4947
 
Click here https://youtu.be/VByHQd9d0MM to see a recap video from our 2023 Block Party!
Click below for this month's policies update.
2024 BJS Employment Enhancement Scholarship Foundation Fund & Application Process

(Completed application packet due to El Rio Foundation by Foundation@elrio.org on or before 2/29/24) 
The BJS Employment Enhancement Scholarship Fund was started at El Rio Foundation several years ago with a generous donation by a former health center board member to support employee career advancement at El Rio. Several Foundation donors who fund the scholarships review applications, interview selected applicants and confirm recipients.

Scholarship funds awarded are paid to the educational institution the employee is attending.

HOW TO QUALIFY:

  • Applicants must be a regular or per-diem employee in good standing, which means no episodes of discipline within the past 12 months
  • Have three years of employment at El Rio Health
  • Commit to two years post-graduation employment with El Rio Health

SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS:

  • Scholarship award amounts for selected applicants are determined by the review committee and typically range from $1K-$3K
  • Scholarship award amounts are paid to the awardee’s educational institution upon receipt of enrollment information
  • Scholarship awards are to be used in the year they are awarded

HOW TO APPLY:

  • Return a completed application (attached) and two current signed and dated reference letters to the El Rio Foundation on or before February 29, 2024.

PURPOSE: An aspect of our vision at El Rio Health is to be the best place for people to work in our community. Part of this vision is carried out successfully by providing opportunities for further education and career development opportunities.

STANDARD SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

  • Application form button is below and available on the El Rio Intranet under Company Resources>Forms > 2023 BJS Scholarship Fund Policy and Application.
  • Submit your complete application and required documentation on or before Feb. 29, 2024, to Foundation@elrio.org by email or mail to El Rio Foundation at 839 W Congress Street, Tucson, AZ 85745.
  • Applications are reviewed and interviews are conducted by the review panel.
  • The successful recipients of this scholarship will be notified by the Foundation.

Recipients will submit an update, final grades and/or acquired certifications upon request.
Call for Posters!
Poster Abstracts Due by February 11, 2024
Reminder! The abstract submission period is now open for our 2024 virtual poster fair, held in conjunction with the upcoming Southwestern Primary Care Research & Innovation Summit, scheduled for May 8, 2024.

El Rio Health, SAAHEC and our presenting partners are seeking research and quality improvement posters for works in progress, finished projects, and conceptual works that emphasize best practices in community-oriented and patient-centered primary care and population health programs.

Project types include:

Research; Quality Improvement; and (other) Innovations in Healthcare Programs/Projects

This year's poster fair - representing the 8th Annual for El Rio Health - is a central focal point of the inaugural Southwestern Primary Care Research & Innovation Summit. Learn more about the Research & Innovation Summit

Virtual poster exhibits are scheduled go live in April 2024.

The poster fair is hosted virtually on an immersive, interactive online platform, and serves as the "kick-off" activity leading to live Summit on May 8th.

This is a peer-reviewed, juried poster fair - Anyone working on relevant projects is strongly encouraged to submit a poster abstract for consideration!

Poster Awards

Poster awards will be presented to the winners of the following award categories:

  • Innovation
  • Impact
  • Create Tomorrow
  • Best Overall

Poster award recipients will receive their awards and have an opportunity to showcase their posters and findings during the live, moderated interview style session on May 8th, 2024.

Link to Abstract Submission Forms:

Click the links below to access the online abstract submission form for the following poster categories:

Projects of Interest

Projects of interest address the following Guiding Principles outlined for the Research & Innovation Summit.

2024 Poster Fair Timeline/Important Dates:

  • Feb 11 - Abstract submission deadline (by 11:59p MST on Sunday Feb 11)
  • Mar 1 - Abstract decision notifications
  • April 7 - Invited poster presenters submit their e-Poster(s) with 3-5 minute audio/video narrative to the virtual platform
  • Mid-April: Virtual poster fair goes live; poster judges score posters and select awardees
  • May 8th: Award recipients present their projects to a live audience following the poster awards ceremony at the Southwestern Primary Care Research & Innovation Summit in Tucson AZ.

The 2024 Southwestern Primary Care Research & Innovation Summit is presented by El Rio Health and the Southern Arizona AHEC in partnership with:

Mariposa Community Health Center • MHC Healthcare • Chiricahua Community Health Centers, Inc. • San Ysidro Health • TMC Health Medical Education Program
We should be asking every patient
“Which El Rio Health pharmacy do you use?"
February is Black History Month
Submission by Elisa Benzenhoefer
Black History Month is an annual celebration in February of achievements by African Americans and their central role in U.S. history. Founded by Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson. The first celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State in January of 1970. Starting in 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.

The theme for 2024 is "African Americans and the Arts."
Audre Lorde was born February 18, 1934, and passed November 17, 1992. Audre was a self-described "black, lesbian, feminist, socialist, mother, warrior, poet" whose poems largely deal with issues related to civil rights, feminism, lesbianism, illness and disability, and the exploration of black female identity.

Lorde’s honors and awards included a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts. Lorde was poet laureate of New York from 1991-1992. Warrior Poet (2006), by Alexis De Veaux, is the first full-length biography of Audre Lorde.

Local Events:

African American Museum of Southern Arizona hosts a chat with Carlotta Calls Lanier

Please keep an eye on The Hub for more information about Black History and local events!
Want to be featured on our social media accounts for recruitment and other efforts? It's Easy!

  1. Send a short paragraph about why you love to work at El Rio to nathanh@elrio.org
  2. Include a picture or two of you in action
  3. Include a completed photography and video release (below or in the Marketing folder on the Hub)
Kudos to our El Rio Health Administrative Assistants who enjoyed an hour of “Lunch and Learn” hosted by the American Society of Administrative Professionals (ASAP). All received a certificate and CEU credit. A special “thanks” to our CEO, Dr. Clinton Kuntz, for stopping by and supporting us!
 El Rio Health Assistants join ASAP free and take advantage of their free resources to grow their administrative professional skills.
Same Day Appointment Clinic (SDAC)

All El Rio employees and their dependents enrolled in UMR, will be able to make an appointment and be seen at El Rio’s Same Day Appointment Clinic (SDAC) even if YOU’RE NOT ASSIGNED to an El Rio Provider!

That’s right!

If your regular primary care doctor is not an El Rio provider, you and your dependents can contact El Rio’s Employee VIP Line in Patient Communications for an appointment, and be seen at El Rio’s Same Day Appointment Clinic (SDAC) at the Congress location.

Save money by using SDAC instead of an urgent care center or emergency room, and Save again, when you fill your SDAC prescriptions at one of El Rio’s pharmacies!

How?

  • Call our VIP number to make an appointment between 7 AM – 8 PM - (520) 309-3117
  • You will be a priority for Patient Communications!
  • Please make sure to let them know you are an El Rio employee and/or you have UMR insurance
  • Remember, early bird gets the worm! Calling in to schedule your appointment, before 9 AM, will help ensure SDAC can Create a World Class Experience by accommodating your same day needs
  • Bring your UMR insurance card to your appointment

Simple!

Receive great care for a ZERO co-pay (UMR Base and Buy-up plans) or low cost (UMR HDHP plan); and Free or low cost prescriptions
Joint Commission Updates
2024 National Patient Safety Goals from Joint Commission

What is a National Patient Safety Goal?

Annually the Joint Commission gathers information about emerging patient safety issues from widely recognized experts and stakeholders as a basis for the National Patient Safety goals. Joint Commission determines these goals as the highest priority for patient safety issues.

Below are the goals for each accreditation that apply to El Rio Health:

Ambulatory care

Goal 1: Improve the accuracy of patient identification. Use at least two patient identifiers
when providing care, treatment, and services. Example: Name, DOB, Address.

Goal 2: Use Medicines Safely. Example use your six rights and RX labeling.

Goal 3: Prevent Infection. Example: Hand Hygiene, before and after each patient contact.

Goal 4: Improve health care equity. Example: prioritize review and improvement of social determinants of health.

Goal 5: Prevent mistakes in surgery. Example: Time out procedure.
 
Behavioral Health

Goal 1: Improve the accuracy of patient identification. Use at least two patient identifiers
when providing care, treatment, and services. Example: Name, DOB, Address.

Goal 2: Use Medicines Safely. Example use your six rights and RX labeling.

Goal 3: Prevent Infection. Example: Hand Hygiene, before and after each patient contact.

Goal 4: Reduce the risk for suicide. Example: Assess patients using a standardized screening tool.

Goal 5: Improve health care equity. Example: prioritize review and improvement of social determinants of health.
 
Laboratory

Goal 1: Improve the accuracy of patient identification. Use at least two patient identifiers
when providing care, treatment, and services. Example: Name, DOB, Address.

Goal 2: Improve Staff Communication. Example: Get important test results to the right staff person on time.

Goal 3: Prevent Infection. Example: Hand Hygiene, before and after each patient contact.
 
*Note: please see linked documents for sharing this information on your staff communication boards and the chapter documents have more detailed information

If you have any questions, please contact Lori Ritter anytime at lorilr@elrio.org or 520-309-2574.
Environmental Sustainability Workgroup
Did you know?
El Rio Health has an Environmental Sustainability Workgroup

What is Environmental Sustainability?
Responsible management of natural resources to fulfill our needs without compromising our environment.

Goals:
The goals of this committee are to evaluate El Rio recycling programs, reduce waste, reduce El Rio’s carbon footprint, and ensure we are providing a healthy environment for our staff and patients.

Some of the activities we have completed so far are:
  • Replacement schedule from fluorescent lights to energy efficient bulbs
  • Hand Dryer installations
  • Battery Recycling Program (See flyer button below)
  • Green Challenge
 
If you would like to participate on the Environmental Sustainability Workgroup Committee, please contact
 
Stay tuned for more information in future newsletters….Coming soon: Environmental Sustainability page on “The HUB”
Pyx Health - FREE for all El Rio Employees!
Advocacy Update
Congress Is Fully Back to Work
All of Congress returned to Washington, D.C. this week to continue work on a bipartisan agreement for a full year of government spending. Congress is also working on other legislative priorities this week, like border security, foreign aid, and tax reforms. Health Center advocates must continue to ask Congress to prioritize final passage of the maximal possible mandatory and discretionary funding for health centers and primary care workforce programs before the March 8 deadline.

Congress Passes Short-Term Funding Extension
Congress prevented another government shutdown last week by passing another short-term funding bill (or Continuing Resolution) that extends government funding through March 8. Congress needed more time to draft the bills that set yearly funding levels. Long-term and annual funding for health centers and primary care workforce programs are now set to expire on March 8 and Congress must agree on a long-term funding extension by then.

Let's Make Some Noise for 340B at P&I 2024!
Don’t miss the chance to join NACHC and health center experts for 340B Day at P&I on February 15! We will discuss emerging issues in the 340B Drug Pricing program, compliance best practices, and advocacy strategies to protect 340B savings! Register now for a 340B Day you don’t want to miss! Empower your activism. Download these new 340B factsheets to fuel advocacy and understanding of the critical 340B program:
If you are interested in advocacy or if you are curious to learn more about your role in possibly shaping the future of healthcare and other important issues in Arizona and nationwide, please consider joining El Rio Health's Advocacy Committee. For more information reach out to Nathan Holaway at 309-2422 or email nathanh@elrio.org.
El Rio Pride T-shirts
El Rio-created Pride shirts are available on Amazon, click below to order.
Got News?
Send your articles over to Nathan Holaway,
Marketing Coordinator.
(520) 309-2422