Clínica Romero’s Internal Communications Committee Newsletter
September 21, 2007     Summer Edition	Volume 1, Number 4
In This Issue · Bilingual HIV/AIDS Education Training · Northeast Construction Update · Health Education Classes · Employees of the Quarter · Internal Announcements · Welcome New Employee’s · From the Executive Director’s Desk Clínica Msr. Oscar A. Romero~Alvarado 123 South Alvarado Los Angeles, CA 90057 (213) 989-7700 Clínica Msr Oscar A. Romero~Northeast 2032 Marengo Street Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 987-1030 Clínica Msr Oscar A. Romero~Community Center 318 S. Alvarado Street Los Angeles, CA 90057 (213) 201-1777	Bilingual HIV/AIDS Education Training On July 18, Clinica Romero hosted “Bilingual Treatment Education” through the HIV Prevention Program in collaboration with the Latino Commission on AIDS of New York. Trainers, Carlos Maldonado and Maria Luisa Hernandez, presented valuable information and addressed preventive measures, in collaboration with Melinda Serrano and Walfred Lopez.  This was a four day intensive training to update the community about new medications and treatments, as well as research and new information related to HIV/AIDS. There were 25 participants ranging from community educators, leaders, activist, patients and people in the community interested in this important topic. According the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the HIV/AIDS epidemic is a serious threat to the Hispanic/Latino community. In addition to being a population seriously affected by HIV, Hispanics/Latinos continue to face challenges in accessing health care, prevention services, and HIV treatment.  It is important to evaluate the effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions for all at risk populations. HIV/AIDS prevention efforts can reduce risk behaviors and increase protective behaviors among people at risk for HIV infection. At Clinica Romero we continue our efforts and are determined to educate, screen and advocate prevention to patients in our community. __________________________________________ Northeast Construction Clinica Msr. Romero's Northeast site has been under construction since June 26th. The integrating functions in this new construction project will allow us to improve efficiency of the services provided without compromising quality of care. All remodeling and improvements have been scheduled for evenings and weekends to minimize and mitigate any potential disruption of services. Under this construction project, there will be one centralized waiting room. This new waiting room will be located at the north right side of the building right across the new intake windows. It will have a capacity of forty chairs where patients can wait while visiting the clinic. The Front Office department will have a total of five sliding windows with five fully ergonomic desks, one ADA compliant desk, and enough space to house all of the needed equipment and supplies. The medical records area will hold a high density mobile filling system and will accommodate three times as much file records when compared to the existing system.  The renovations also include six new counseling rooms for our Drug and Alcohol Recovery Program, a new Woman and Children Resource Center, and five new exam rooms in the Dental Department.  This change will allow both patients and staff to be able to interact with each other in a more welcoming setting.  In addition, the remodeled medical department will include new exam tables, an ultrasound machine, wall equipment, new provider office space, and a remodeled vital room area. There will be two partitions in the hallways at the north left side of the conference room. These partitions will help us improve patient flow. Though the construction project still continues, we can already start noticing the Improvements and are looking forward to the final outcome. Throughout our history, we have responded to the health needs of our unique community by continually providing and expanding services.  In response to the overwhelming need, we have and will continue to provide needed care to those with the greatest medical need. __________________________________________ Health Education Classes Imagine this scenario, as you attend your next visit to get your medical results, you are diagnosed with Diabetes.  Your doctor informs you that you will need to start to follow a strict diet with no sweets, low starch, low carbohydrates and an increase of exercise.  Not to mention that you will need to prick your finger on a daily basis to check your glucose level. As simple as this may sound, to some people this could be challenging and may sometimes feel almost impossible to follow, especially when a fast food restaurant is located in every corner. According to the American Diabetes Association, 14.6 million people are diagnosed with Diabetes and 6.2 million are unaware they have the disease.   Millions of Americans look to genetic researchers for answers that will help fight this chronic disease and hope for a possible cure.  Clinica Msr. Romero has been providing quality healthcare to a diverse population services since 1983, primarily to low-income, uninsured and underserved populations. Clinica Msr. Romero provides over 57,000 visits to over 16,000 patients annually, and 16 percent of those patients are treated for Diabetes.  Clinica Msr. Romero has been successful with the Diabetes management program Su Salud en Sus Manos.  The program consists of six week workshop sessions where patients learn how to become proactive with their illness and make healthy choices. The program not only focuses on eating healthy but also coordinates support groups to help strengthen and increase each patients self-esteem and self-control behaviors.  A patient is immediately enrolled in this program after having an individual session with one of our Health Educators.  Su Salud en Sus Manos has had a positive outcome for both patients and providers at Clinica Msr. Romero.  Patients are able to control their diet and glucose level, and as a result of the support groups each patient develops a higher self-esteem and builds their motivation to exercise. The workshops are held during the week, if anyone is interested in referring patients or obtaining more information on the program, please contact the Health Education Department located at 123 S. Alvarado Street in room 126.   Together we can continue the success of this program and more importantly keep our community eating and living healthier lives. __________________________________________ Employees of the Quarter Lilia Reynoso Biography Lilia Reynoso, who was born in Mexico, has been in the United States for twenty-seven years. She is happily married and is mother to three beautiful children.  Her previous jobs included working as a cashier, babysitter and at a cappuccino café as a store clerk. While working she managed to attend school and became a Medical Assistant.  Towards the end of her certification, she was required to complete an internship and came in contact with Nurse Practitioner Melinda Serrano, Nursing Director, who allowed her to complete her hours at Clinica Msr. Oscar A. Romero.  After she fulfilled her requirements and became certified, she was hired as a regular full time employee as a Medical Assistant. Mrs. Reynoso’s motivation is her patients; she strongly believes that all patients deserve the best treatment and quality of care. She often reflects and puts herself in other people’s shoes which influence and encourage here to provide good service.  Mrs. Reynoso would like to thank all of Clinica Msr. Oscar A. Romero’s staff for honoring her with this recognition and is especially grateful to her co-workers, who since her first day are always more than willing to lend a helping hand. Ruben Ureta Ruben Ureta, Guatemala native, is happily married and is father of two (son age 22 and daughter 16) and grandfather to a beautiful two year old granddaughter.  Mr. Ureta’s family is his greatest pride and treasure. At the age of nine, Mr. Ureta, along side his older brother, began to work to help his parents support his nine younger siblings and as a result he was not able to finish school. Mr. Ureta worked with a maintenance company at the Beverly Center and after a year and a half, due to a family emergency, had to return to Guatemala.  When he returned to the United States he started working at Pollo Campero Restaurant as a costumer service representative. Thereafter, Mr. Ureta began working with Clinica Romero as a casual employee and one year later, because he exemplified outstanding work qualities, was hired as a regular full time employee. He is profoundly grateful to Clinica Romero for giving him the opportunity to be part of the Clinica family. He thanks all the staff that encourage and motivate him to continue the great work. Congratulations Lilia and Ruben __________________________________________ Internal Announcements The community center staff will be moved to 123 Alvarado effective October 1^st.  Through the year we have worked on strengthening and improving team work and quality service.  In celebration of your continued efforts and accomplishments the communications committee invites you to our second Halloween Pot Luck gathering to be held on Friday, October 26^th at 123 S. Alvarado.  We encourage you to begin brainstorming potential Halloween costume ideas and begin thinking about your favorite recipe that you wish to prepare for your co-workers. Welcome New Employees to the Clínica Romero Family Rebeca Oronia              Diocelina Arzate          Mable Pineda       Wilfredo Quijada Front Office                  Medical Records          Front Office                Front Office Alvarado                       Alvarado                      Alvarado                     Alvarado       Agapito Diaz                          Steven Abramson                 Baldomero Cariño       Deputy Director                          Development                          Front Office       Northeast                                       Northeast                                Northeast Enrique Velasquez                             James Juan                       Martha Romero Community Organizing Director         Accounting                         Accounting                           Alvarado                                    Northeast                             Northeast                               __________________________________________ From the Executive Director’s Desk Clinica’s Facilities Update · I am very happy to report to you that as of September 1^st 2007, Clinica Msr. Oscar A. Romero is the owner of the 123 Alvarado building.  The purchase was possible through a grant from the City of Los Angeles in the amount of $1.5 million, the remaining balance for the purchase $1.1 million was possible through bridge financing from Promerica Bank which we intent to pay off as soon as we raise private dollars.  With this acquisition, Clinica has a permanent home in the Pico-Union/Westlake areas and will be able to further develop the facility. Another advantage to ownership is that we will be able to put the savings from rent back into operations and Clinica’s assets will increase as a result. · Other news on our capital campaign. o S. Mark Taper Foundation(SMTF): has approved a grant for $850,000 towards capital campaign, specifically for the acquisition of 123 Alvarado.  The building will be named after the SMTF. o Weingart Foundation: has approved our capital request in the amount of $800,000, we will know more specific details in the following days. o Capital Campaign Goal: with the above pledges and city grant, our grand total so far is $3,150,000 out of our $4 million goal.  We have a few proposals pending results and will submit a few more. o Capital Campaign Kick Off Event: will take place in November, PhRma, SEIU 721 and ProMerica Bank will sponsor the event which will take place in November, 2007. This small event is to announce the public phase of the campaign, to recognize our donors and to encourage others to follow. · NELA Build up: It is almost completed and we expect to finish construction on October 15, 2008. · Funding: o PPP RFP: County Board of Supervisors approved the Community Clinic Association request to extend existing contracts through June 30, 2008. BOS also approved a joint commission between DHS and the Clinic Association to work on allocation formula in a way that will be beneficial for members; in addition, BOS directed County CEO to look for additional dollars in order to avoid punishing existing members with the addition of new ones. o LA Care: Is seriously considering our women & children request (Tranquada initiative) for up to $300,000 instead of our original $500,000 request, we shall hear from them in October. o UniHealth Foundation: conducted a site visit to review our pharmacy request on Thursday, September 27. The request is to fund the salaries of the pharmacy staff. o Approve grants since July 1, 2007: Avon for breast cancer $180,000; Blue shield of CA for core support $30,000; LA Care for oral health $100,000; Wells Fargo Bank for core operations $20,000 among others. · State Budget cuts: after the Governor pledged to cut the budget by $700 million in order to get final approval from the minority party, the cuts were made. Among others, the Governor cut the Medi-Cal/Healthy Families outreach and enrollment budget and as a result, the DHS cut our contract to provide these services effective September 27, 2007. This cut has serious implications in our ability to add Medi-Cal patients; staff has been notified of cut as well as Union; fortunately, Clinica will be able to absorb all of the affected employees if they choose to apply for existing positions.  We will continue with the program at a reduced level and will seek new funds to continue with this work. · The Coverage Initiative: Allocation formula still being negotiated, but the Clinic Association has requested up front funds to get this program started, no final resolution has been reached yet; however, County has begun program at its facilities since Sept. 1, 2007. · HIV County Contracts: We are in the final stages of terminating these contracts and we have delegated them to El Centro del Pueblo; official transfer will occur in a matter of days. · Personnel: We are in the final process of making offers to the Director of Community Organizing and Finance Director; both individuals will start in October. · Pharmacy License: Has finally been received, we will now request Medi-Cal and Medicare numbers in order to bill both programs for prescriptions filled for covered patients. ______________________________________________________________ Thank you for reading our 2007 Newsletter Summer Edition. -Internal Communications Committee