Break Boundaries
I work with others to achieve success.
October 2023
Recognition for Dr. Sonia Reidy! Dr. Reidy received the credential of Certified Physician Executive (CPE) through the Certifying Commission in Medical Management (CCMM).
Congratulations to Ana Dolores Serrano! She was recognized as a 2023 Invaluable Community Health Worker Awardee by the Arizona Alliance of Community Health Centers.
Recognition for Dr. Roy Samorano! He will be inducted this November into the Pueblo High School Foundation Hall of Fame.
Recognition for Dr. Lisa Soltani! Dr. Soltani attended the American Cancer Society (ACS) conference this month and was selected to serve as co-chair for the Clinician Education Committee on the National Round Table for Cervical Cancer for the ACS. 
Congratulations to Natalie Perkins! Natalie recently passed the HIV Pharmacist credentialing exam.
Congratulations Pascua & Northwest Health Centers! Both won “Most Improved Scores” for hypertension and A1C control. Pascua improved HgA1c from 56% to 65% and Northwest improved hypertension from 66% to 73%.
The Celia Sarabia Hightower Scholarship Fund Winner
The Celia Sarabia Hightower Scholarship fund is pleased to announce that Jesus Morales Lopez has been selected to receive the Celia Sarabia Hightower Scholarship award for this year! 

Jesus currently works at the Congress Same Day Appointment Clinic as a Medical Assistant and is working toward completion of his nursing degree. Congratulations to Jesus for receiving this year’s scholarship award!  
2023 Key Results
Incentive Year = January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023
Percentages of Employee Incentive Shown Below.
AMA Joy in Medicine Recognition
El Rio Health has received national recognition by the AMA Joy in Medicine program for our work on provider well-being! El Rio was recognized for being fully engaged in this space and is significantly down the path of iteratively working to improve workflows and provide support for the hard work being done by clinician staff, clinical teams and clinical support staff.

This is a tremendous honor recognizing a lot of work being put into this effort. 73 systems were recognized nationally and only 4 in Arizona. El Rio is the only FQHC.

Kudos to Mark Schildt (Chief Wellness Officer) and our Clinician Wellness Council for all their great work!
September 2023 Financial Overview
REMEMBER…we always want our total revenue (the money we earn) to be the same or exceed the total amount of our expenses (the money we pay out). Expenses include employee salaries, supplies and the cost to run our facilities.
How does this affect me, as an El Rio employee?

El Rio sets goals each year – we call them Key Results. The organization must meet the financial goal for the annual employee incentive to be paid out. As you can see from the graph below, we are still far away from meeting the financial goal and receiving an annual employee incentive payout.
As an El Rio employee, what can I do to help improve the financials?

It may not feel like it, but every El Rio employee has an opportunity to impact and improve the bottom line. For example, promoting El Rio Pharmacies. Our El Rio pharmacies offer patients many advantages over utilizing external, retail pharmacies. In many cases, patients can access their medications through El Rio pharmacies for less than a retail pharmacy. Plus, the convenience of picking up your medications at the same site as your appointment can’t be beat!

Make a point of discussing this with the patients you interact with – it’s as easy as asking “Which El Rio Pharmacy do you use?” or “Have you considered filling your prescriptions at one of our El Rio Pharmacies?” These small habits while interacting with patients can have a tremendous financial impact on El Rio’s bottom line.
Welcome New Employees!
These employees joined El Rio during the month of October.

Emily Valenzuela, Registered Dental Hygienist - Northwest
Marisol Valencia, Registered Dental Hygienist - Cherrybell
Nichole Avila, Medical Assistant - Abrams
Regia Martinez, Medical Assistant - Abrams
McKenna Silva, Medical Assistant - Congress
Ana Dupont, Registered Nurse Care Coordinator - Southwest
Dafnhe Salcedo, MOR - Float - Lab - PT - Manning
Johnny Soto, DOS Float - Southeast
Marguerite Lybarger, Concierge - Adult Care PT - Congress
Reina Sanchez, Dental Assistant - Grant
Denisha Ames, HR Specialist - Onboarding - Manning
Katherine Arellano, Health Information Clerk - Grant
Karina Lopez, MOR - HealthOn Broadway
Ashley Amarillas, MOR - Congress Radiology - Congress
Jocelyne Linder, Dental Assistant - Cherrybell
Kenya Hayes, MOR - Abrams Family Medicine - Abrams
Clarisa Garcia, Medical Assistant - Cherrybell
Amber Shulz, Medical Assistant - Southeast
Diana Montano, Medical Assistant - Southwest
Yesenia Sanchez, Medical Assistant - Congress
Ylana Higuerra, Medical Assistant - HealthOn Broadway
Andreana Merino, Medical Assistant - Southeast
Alaina Martinez, Physician - Telehealth
Rahim Moxey, Accounting IT Analyst - Manning
Celina Robles, Project Manager (IT) - Manning
Fernanda Carrillo, Medical Assistant - Grant
Abelardo Valdes, Dentist - Southeast
Farhana Naimi, Medical Assistant - Abrams
Jody Yarbrough, Chief Financial Officer - Manning
Dexter Dy, Medical Laboratory Scientist - Manning
Jose Palma, Sr. Administrative Assistant - Manning
Humberto Rivera-Gonzalez, Associate Operations Manager - El Pueblo
Lakiya Canty, Associate Operations Manager - Congress
Evelia Ritchie, Medical Assistant - Cherrybell
Jennifer Cacerez, Medical Assistant - Southwest
Celeste Vidal, Registered Nurse Behavioral Health - Cherrybell
Isabella Tovar, MOR - Congress SDAC - Congress
Keira Sullivan, MOR - Congress Internal Medicine - Congress
Gabriela Ochoa, MOR - Northwest Peds - Northwest
Lucia Hernandez, MOR - Cherrybell Behavioral Health - Cherrybell
Daonapa Phimmasone, MOR - Cherrybell Behavioral Health - Cherrybell
Kate Mejia, Medical Assistant - Northwest
Alysia Moreno, Medical Assistant - Congress
2024 Open Enrollment Ends on Friday, Nov 3rd!
Don’t be caught without benefits next year, complete your enrollment before it’s too late!
Did you know your donations to El Rio Foundation qualify for the Arizona Qualifying Charitable Organization (QCO) Tax Credit?

Your charitable contribution may reduce your Arizona personal
income tax.

DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR up to $421 for singles or $841 for couples filing jointly.
 
You can donate through the payroll deduction form or you can make an online gift at

If you have questions,
please email foundation@elrio.org or contact Jill Rodriguez at 520-870-7148
 
Thank you for your consideration and support!
Click below for this month's policies update.
2023 AIDS Walk
COMPLIANCE CORNER
Use of codes from category Z28 when immunization not given

The code for Inoculations and Vaccinations is Z23. This code indicates a patient is being seen to receive a prophylactic inoculation against a disease. ICD-10 guidelines state; Procedure codes are required to identify the actual administration of the injection and the type(s) of immunizations given. When a patient is seen for a preventive visit or other visit, and receives an inoculation as part of the visit, Z23 is listed as an additional code.

What if a patient declines vaccination? The codes in category Z28 are reported when a vaccination(s) is not carried out. The code is selected for the reason why the vaccination(s) was not carried out. Please use one of these codes in place of Z23 when immunization(s) is not given.

Z28.0 Immunization not carried out because of contraindication (requires 5th digit)

Z28.01 Immunization not carried out because of acute illness of patient

Z28.02 Immunization not carried out because of chronic illness or condition of patient

Z28.03 Immunization not carried out because of immune compromised state of patient

Z28.04 Immunization not carried out because of patient allergy to vaccine or component

Z28.09 Immunization not carried out because of other contraindication

Z28.1 Immunization not carried out because of patient decision for reasons of belief or group pressure

Z28.2 Immunization not carried out because of patient decision for other and unspecified reason (requires 5th digit)

Z28.20 Immunization not carried out because of patient decision for unspecified reason

Z28.21 Immunization not carried out because of patient refusal

Z28.29 Immunization not carried out because of patient decision for other reason

Z28.8 Immunization not carried or for other reason (requires 5th digit)

Z28.81 Immunization not carried out due to patient having had the disease

Z28.82 Immunization not carried out because of caregiver refusal

Z28.83 Immunization not carried out due to unavailability of vaccine

Z28.89 Immunization not carried out for other reason

Z28.9 Immunization not carried out for unspecified reason
Other codes to consider if applicable:

Z28.31 Under-immunization for COVID-19 status (requires a 6th digit) NOTE: These codes should not be used for individuals who are not eligible for the COVID-19 vaccines, as determined by the healthcare provider.

Z28.310 Unvaccinated for COVID-19

Z28.311 Partially vaccinated for COVID-19

Z28.39 Other under-immunization status

• Delinquent immunization status
• Lapsed immunization schedule status
Pharmacy Week Pumpkin Decorating Contest
El Pueblo
Cherrybell
Congress
Southeast
Grant
Northwest
Southwest
And the winner is .... Northwest!
We should be asking every patient
“Which El Rio Health pharmacy do you use?"
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)
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
El Rio Environmental Sustainability Committee
Green Geek Considers Candy Wrappers, Computer Printers and Cardboard Boxes.

The Green Geek is here to answer your questions about all things green! If you have a question about anything green-related, send it to fyinewsletter@pima.gov. And now, on to this month’s questions.

Dear Green Geek, Halloween is just around the corner. Is there any way to keep candy wrappers out of the landfill? — Tim

Dear Tim,

As you probably suspected, candy wrappers generally can’t be recycled. Most of the wrappers are too small to be sorted, they’re usually made of different materials that cannot be separated easily at the recycling stage and they are often contaminated by their contact with the candy.
The exception is aluminum foil, which is used to wrap some candy bars. Those can be recycled as long as the foil is clean and doesn’t have chocolate stains. Before tossing aluminum foil into your blue bin, crumple it up into a ball and make sure what you have is at least as large as a tennis ball.

Fortunately, there’s a solution that doesn’t require cutting down on your holiday candy intake. Ward 6 Council member Steve Kozachik’s office confirmed this week that it accepts candy wrappers in their ByFusion recycling program, which accepts “unrecyclable” plastics such as plastic bags and bubble wrap and turns them into plastic blocks for construction projects.

Put your wrappers in a clear plastic bag and drop them off at one of these locations:

  • 3202 E. First St.
  • 8123 E. Poinciana Dr.
  • 2002 S. Mission Road

Dear Green Geek, Can an old HP printer be recycled anywhere in Pima County? — Yolanda

Dear Yolanda,

At first glance, an old-fashioned computer printer seems like exactly the sort of item that can’t be recycled. It’s large, cumbersome and made of many different materials. But while you shouldn’t drop your old printer into your curbside blue bin, there are ways to keep it out of the landfill.

Grumper Computer Electronics Recycling is a local electronics recycling service that accepts most computer electronics, including printers, copiers, fax machines and other bulky devices that most of us wouldn’t think of as “recyclable.”

You can also donate your old printer. COPE Community Services accepts a wide array of donated electronic items. 

Dear Green Geek, Is all cardboard considered recyclable? What about milk cartons or pizza boxes? — Pamela

Dear Pamela,

Unfortunately, pizza boxes are not recyclable since the grease renders them hopelessly contaminated. The same goes for any food container that has been stained with grease or liquid. Other than that, cardboard is almost always recyclable as long as it’s clean and dry.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind regarding cardboard:

  • Flatten all mailing and storage boxes before recycling them; there’s no need to remove labels and tape, but you may want to use a Sharpie to cross out mailing addresses.

  • If you have a box that is clean and sturdy, consider saving it and reusing it rather than recycling it. (Most of us will need a box sooner than we think, whether it’s for moving or storage.)

  • Let empty milk and juice cartons stand for an hour or two before recycling them to ensure that they are dry.

  • Egg cartons are recyclable as long as they are made of paper byproducts. Cartons made of Styrofoam are not recyclable.

  • While toilet paper and paper towels are not recyclable, the cardboard tubes that come with them are.
Red Ribbon Event
Erika Jaramillo and Paulette Kourouma (ATSU medical student) participated in the Red Ribbon Event at St. Peter and Paul School sharing the importance about staying drug free and living a healthy lifestyle. Focused recognition for Erika Jaramilio, Paulette Kourouma, and team for Stepping Up to create this great experience.
Joint Commission Updates
Speak up initiative from Joint Commission
Pyx Health - FREE for all El Rio Employees!
Advocacy Update
Securing Senate Support
Last week, NACHC joined several primary care associations (PCAs) and health center advocates for a targeted Hill Day in Washington, D.C. The meetings focused on building support in the Senate to secure a possible increase and long-term extension for health center and primary care workforce funding. Senators expressed commitment to exploring a path forward, but additional advocacy is still needed to generate broader bipartisan support for a deal. NACHC has sent a letter to HELP Chairman Sen. Bernie Sander (I-VT) and Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) expressing support for the Bipartisan Primary Care and Health Workforce Act. Please find the letter here. 
 
Please reach out to NACHC's Federal Affairs team with any questions at federalaffairs@nachc.org.

Open Enrollment & Medicaid Renewals
Join NACHC for a two-part webinar series on Open Enrollment and Medicaid renewals. Register here.

  • Part One of the series will be held on November 8 from 3 - 4 pm ET and kick off with remarks from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on the upcoming Open Enrollment period.

  • Part Two will be held on November 16 from 3 - 4 pm ET and include insights from the Kaiser Family Foundation on Medicaid renewal data; a review of state disenrollment trends, implementation of renewal-specific flexibilities, and the impact of Medicaid unwinding on health centers and their patients. 

Help Shape NACHC’s Strategic Policy Priorities
NACHC is seeking input as we shape our policy strategy for 2024 and beyond. The purpose of the survey is to gather feedback about health center priorities and to identify leaders best suited to attend NACHC's 2024 Winter Strategy Meeting. The survey was to sent to each health center CEO and should be completed by them or a designee who is knowledgeable about your health center’s current needs and future directions. Click here to respond to the survey by November 6. 
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