Employee Spotlight: Crystal Albarran

Employee Spotlight

We are very excited to highlight one of our most valuable assets, our employees! Each month, get to know the HPC team in a fun, new way!

Crystal AlbarranName: Crystal Albarran

Department: Patient Services

Title: Patient Services Representative

Primary work location: Olathe

How long have you worked at HPC?  

I’ve worked at HPC for seven months.

How did you get into your field of work?

I have always wanted to work in a clinical office and to help others.

Do you speak any other languages? If yes, which ones?

Yes, I speak Spanish.

Do you have a favorite quote? If yes, what is it?

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible.” -Audrey Hepburn

Crystal AlbarranWhat values are important to you?

Values that are important to me are kindness, honesty, family and happiness.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I don’t know, I am pretty boring.

What is on your “bucket” list?

I’d like to go to South Korea.

What is your favorite food?

Korean and Mexican food are my favorites!

What is your favorite movie?

“The Outsiders”

What is your favorite hobby?

I enjoy trips to Target and spending time with my family.

Are you an animal lover?  If yes, how many pets do you have and what kind are they?

Yes! I have 11 chickens and one dog. She is a Portuguese Water Poodle mix.

Employee Spotlight: Keith Petite

Employee Spotlight

We are very excited to highlight one of our most valuable assets, our employees! Each month, get to know the HPC team in a fun, new way!

Keith PetiteName:  Keith Petite

Department: Administration

Title: Operations Manager

Primary work location: Olathe

How long have you worked at HPC?  

I have been on staff for nine months, but collectively three years including my time at Tech Team.

How did you get into your field of work?

I got into my field through time and effort in the military; with experience came promotions, and with promotions came more opportunity.

Do you speak any other languages? If yes, which ones?

I do not speak any other languages.

Do you have a favorite quote? If yes, what is it?

“Don’t delay what you can do today.”

Keith Petite and FamilyWhat values are important to you?

Values that are important to me include efficiency, timeliness, and a strong work ethic.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I’ve lived in or visited 23 countries and traveled across the U.S. six different times. I’m ready to do it all again!

What is on your “bucket” list?

I would like to spend 30 days in Italy, travel back to Austria and kayak the River Isle and Scuba Dive the Azores.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food is lasagna.

What is your favorite movie?

“Training Day”

What is your favorite hobby?

I enjoy woodworking.

Are you an animal lover?  If yes, how many pets do you have and what kind are they?

Dogs are cool. I have a dog, but I would rather have a Macaw or an Amazon Parrot.

May Brings Special Recognitions to the Behavioral Health Team, Nurses and Patient Services Representatives

CelebrateHPC Salutes Behavioral Health Team

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. According to National Alliance on Mental Illness, (NAMI), millions of Americans face the reality of living with mental illness. During the month of May, HPC joins with NAMI in the national movement to raise awareness about mental health.

Each day at HPC, our Behavioral Health Team works to access the needs of our patients. They work with our medical providers on a treatment plan to address many conditions such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, smoking cessation, weight management and more. Our Behavioral Health Clinicians provide support and education to our patients while fighting to decrease the stigma related to accessing care for mental health.

We would like to take this opportunity to recognize the Behavioral Health Team at HPC for all that they do to improve the lives of our patients.

Thao Le John Smart Christopher Woodward
Special thanks to Thao Le, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner; John Smart, LSCSW, Behavioral Health Clinician; and Christopher Woodward, LMAC, Substance Abuse Specialist. 

National Nurses Week is May 6-12. 

In 1993, the American Nurses Association declared May 6-12 as the national week to celebrate and elevate the nursing profession. Each year the celebration ends on May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday. Florence Nightingale was an English social reformer and statistician and the founder of modern nursing.

This year’s theme for Nurses Week is “You Make a Difference” to honor the varying roles of nurses and the positive impacts they make on our lives.

At HPC we celebrate the important roles that nurses play on the frontlines of the health care system. Special thanks to Jewel Gleason, LPN, for all that she does to support our patients, medical providers and medical assistants.

Jewel Gleason

Thank you, Jewel, for all of the good work you do to improve patient care at HPC!

Patient Services Representatives Day/Receptionist Day is May 10

Since 1991, National Receptionist Day has been celebrated on the second Wednesday of May, this year falling on Wednesday, May 10. HPC would like to take this opportunity to recognize our Patient Services Representatives (PSRs) who fill the role of receptionist and so much more!

According to Mayra Bocanegra, Billing and Patient Services Manager, the PSR staff are the first people who interact with our patients when they walk through the door. They are the face of the clinic. It can be a tough job sometimes, but they are willing to do whatever is needed for our patients.

“Words cannot express the gratitude I have for our team,” Mayra says. “We have been through so much together, from the COVID-19 pandemic to staffing shortages, and this team has stuck by my side. We have built a very positive, strong team, and I will forever be grateful.

“I would not be where I am today without them,” she adds. “Every single person on our team has made a difference along the way. I hope they know, to be proud of the work they do, the people they are, and the difference they make for HPC. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!”

Thank you to our wonderful team of PSRs: Crystal Albarran, Acirema Chavez, Jean Cast-Martin, Marlene Guzman, Jorge Larriba, Iliana Mejia, Karla Nunez, Patricia Ortiz, Maria Pena and Yesenia Salazar.

The PSRs are part of the Revenue Cycle Management team and work closely with Mayra Bocanegra, Manager of Billing and Patient Services; Billie Reese-Turner, Director of Billing and Patient Services; and Diana Zamora, Enrollment Specialist.

PSRs

Employee Spotlight: Sheila Bird

Employee Spotlight

We are very excited to highlight one of our most valuable assets, our employees! Each month, get to know the HPC team in a fun, new way!

Sheila BirdName: Sheila Bird

Department: Development/Marketing

Title: Development Director

Primary work location: Olathe

How long have you worked at HPC?  

I have worked at HPC for nearly three months.

How did you get into your field of work?

I worked for a Foundation, and then got a master’s degree in organizational administration, emphasis in non-profit. I honestly walked through open doors before me.

Do you speak any other languages? If yes, which ones?

No but I can count to 10 in Spanish.

Do you have a favorite quote? If yes, what is it?

“Truth and trust are the cornerstones of life.”

What values are important to you?

Values that are important to me are truth, trust, honesty, empathy, grace and faith.

The Birds 2022What is something about you that would surprise people?

I am a chiropractor wannabe!

What is on your “bucket” list?

I want to go to Alaska and tour castles in Ireland, England and Europe.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite foods are carrot cake and Starbucks Iced White Mocha.

What is your favorite movie?

I love all Hallmark or Great American Family movies.

What is your favorite hobby?

My favorite hobby is finding treasures at Vintage stores, garage sales and estate sales.

Are you an animal lover?  If yes, how many pets do you have and what kind are they?

It depends—I’d love to live on a horse ranch. I don’t have any animals at present. Our last family pet left us a couple of years ago. I love my house staying hair free. I also do not have a fenced yard. Growing up my children had dogs, cats, a horse, birds, rabbits, hamsters and fish.

Employee Spotlight: Jacquelyn Prince

Employee Spotlight

We are very excited to highlight one of our most valuable assets, our employees! Each month, get to know the HPC team in a fun, new way.

Jacquelyn PrinceName: Jacquelyn Prince

Department: Medical

Title: Referral Coordinator

Primary work location: Olathe

How long have you worked at HPC? 

I’ve worked at HPC for one month.

How did you get into your field of work?

I originally wanted to be a nurse. I am a medical assistant, and I needed a change.

Do you speak any other languages? If yes, which ones?

I speak Spanish.

Do you have a favorite quote? If yes, what is it?

“It is what it is.”

Jacquelyn PrinceWhat values are important to you?

Family values are important to me.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I am a cancer and stroke survivor.

What is on your “bucket” list?

I would like to travel to a foreign country.

What is your favorite food?

Mexican food is my favorite!

What is your favorite movie?

“The Notebook”

What is your favorite hobby?

My favorite hobby is shopping.

Are you an animal lover?  If yes, how many pets do you have and what kind are they?

Yes! We have four cats, two dogs, seven mice and 20 fish.

We Have Much to Celebrate at HPC in March!

Celebrate

National Dentist Day, March 6

National Dentist Day was created as a day to say thank you and show your appreciation for your dentist. It is celebrated annually on March 6.

Do you know?
• As of 2021 there are approximately 202,000 dentists who are professionally active in the United States. There are approximately 1,575 active dentists in Kansas, of which more than 200 are specialists.
• The education and training of dentists typically includes four years of college, four years of dental school and two to three years of residency training if a specialty is chosen.
• There are two different but equivalent degrees dentists may earn: Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) or Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD).
• In the United States, 12 specialties are recognized by the American Dental Association.

1. Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
2. Pediatric dentistry
3. Periodontics
4. Prosthodontics
5. Oral and maxillofacial surgery
6. Oral and maxillofacial pathology
7. Endodontics
8. Public health dentistry
9. Oral and maxillofacial radiology
10. Dental anesthesiology
11. Oral Medicine
12. Orofacial Pain

Special thanks to our dentists, Nader Rastgoftar, DDS, and Joseph Wittig, DDS, for providing top notch patient care!

March 2023 Special Recognition

National Dental Assistant Week, March 5-11

“Dental Assistants –The Heart of Dental Offices Through Education, Commitment and Safety” is the theme for 2023 and acknowledges the growing importance of dentistry’s role in health care and the responsibilities of dental assistants.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2020, there are more than 347,000 dental assistants in the United States. In Kansas, there are approximately 3,000 dental assistants.

Dental assistants wear many hats in a dental clinic! They greet patients, review medical histories, take X-rays, perform dental charting during the dentist exam, assist the dentist chairside during procedures, polish teeth, review post-operative instructions and schedule patients.

In Kansas, dental assistants are not required to be certified. However, The Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) is the nationally recognized certification organization for dental assistants. Certification is a source of pride for dental assistants and provides professional advantage and potentially greater earning power.

Thank you to our HPC dental assistants Stephanie Rojas, Enid Sierra and Rachell Perez!

Employee Spotlight: Erica Bonilla

Employee Spotlight

We are very excited to highlight one of our most valuable assets, our employees! Each month, get to know the HPC team in a fun, new way.

Erica BonillaName:  Erica Bonilla

Department: Administration

Title: Payroll Specialist

Primary work location: Olathe

How long have you worked at HPC?  

I have worked at HPC for three months.

How did you get into your field of work?

I started off as a graveyard dispatcher who would do basic timekeeping on down time. I was promoted three months later and have been doing payroll and accounting for almost ten years now.

Do you speak any other languages? If yes, which ones?

Erica BonillaYes, I speak Spanish.

Do you have a favorite quote? If yes, what is it?

“Hate, pride, vengeance and fear are the plague of the earth. Love, kindness, compassion, empathy and services to others are the cure.” – Chester Bennington

What values are important to you?

Values that are important to me are kindness, compassion, accountability and family. You have to be kind and compassionate toward others. Always take accountability for your actions.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I love football! Arrowhead stadium was my favorite experience ever, even though I am a Packer’s fan.

What is on your “bucket” list?

I’ve always loved helping others. I would love to do humanitarian work, once my kids are grown and out of the house.

What is your favorite food?

Thai food is my favorite.

What is your favorite movie?

Erica BonillaMy top three favorite movies are “The Grinch”, “Fast and Furious” and “Silence of the Lambs”.

What is your favorite hobby?

I like to craft everything! You name it and I’ll craft it…cups, shirts, ornaments, mugs, etc.

Are you an animal lover?  If yes, how many pets do you have and what kind are they?

Yes, I have two dogs and a guinea pig. I have a mini dachshund named Lilo who is six and a Rottweiler named Medusa who is two. The guinea pig’s name is Stitch.

Employee Spotlight: Kierra Calico

Employee Spotlight

We are very excited to highlight one of our most valuable assets, our employees! Each month, get to know the HPC team in a fun, new way.

Kierra CalicoName:  Kierra Calico, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, FNP-C

Department: Medical

Title: Family Nurse Practitioner

Primary work location: Olathe

How long have you worked at HPC?  

I started at HPC in April of 2022.

How did you get into your field of work?

I had worked as a nurse for eight years and loved it, but the follow up and health promotion was missing for me. Now that I am a nurse practitioner, I am able to focus more on that!

Do you speak any other languages? If yes, which ones?

No. I can understand some Spanish but cannot speak fluently. I want to learn though!

Do you have a favorite quote? If yes, what is it?

“If you are going to pray, don’t worry. If you worry, don’t pray.”

What values are important to you?

Values that are important to me are family, faith, integrity, kindness and loyalty.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I lived in South Korea for two years.

Kierra's FamilyWhat is on your “bucket” list?

I would love to travel around the world, become bilingual in Spanish and join a sorority.

What is your favorite food?

Mexican food is my favorite!

What is your favorite movie?

“Sister Act 2”

What is your favorite hobby?

My favorite hobbies are spending time with my family, taking naps, watching reality TV and shopping.

Are you an animal lover?  If yes, how many pets do you have and what kind are they?

I did not grow up with pets but I would like to get a dog so that my daughter has one to grow up with.

Employee Spotlight: Perla Cardenas

Employee Spotlight

We are very excited to highlight one of our most valuable assets, our employees! Each month, get to know the HPC team in a fun, new way.

Perla CardenasName: Perla Cardenas

Department: Medical

Title: Women’s Health Coordinator

Primary work location: Olathe

How long have you worked at HPC?  

I’ve been at HPC for a year!

How did you get into your field of work?

I started out working as a PSR and when the Women’s Health Coordinator position opened up, I took the opportunity to learn something different.

Do you speak any other languages? If yes, which ones?

Spanish is my first language.

Do you have a favorite quote? If yes, what is it?

“The best things in life are free. The second best are very expensive.”- Coco Chanel

What values are important to you?

Values that are important to me are compassion, honesty and kindness.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

Perla Cardenas' FamilyI hate the ocean and I dislike hot weather!

What is on your “bucket” list?

I am very afraid of heights, but I want to skydive.

What is your favorite food?

I love any Mexican food, but I could eat carne asada tacos any day!

What is your favorite movie?

“The Blind Side”

What is your favorite hobby?

My favorite hobby is watching movies with my daughter while eating Doritos.

Are you an animal lover?  If yes, how many pets do you have and what kind are they?

I am not an animal lover. I used to have a beautiful English Bulldog that I loved with all my heart… but I will not have any more pets.

Employee Spotlight: Marlene Guzman

Employee Spotlight

We are very excited to highlight one of our most valuable assets, our employees! Each month, get to know the HPC team in a fun, new way.

Marlene GuzmanName: Marlene Guzman

Department: Patient Services

Title: Patient Services Representative

Primary work location: Olathe

How long have you worked at HPC?  

I’ve worked at HPC for a couple of months.

How did you get into your field of work?

I was looking for a career change.

Do you speak any other languages? If yes, which ones?

Yes, I speak Spanish.

Do you have a favorite quote? If yes, what is it?

“Just keep swimming.” -Dory

What values are important to you?

I value treating others the same way that I would like to be treated.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I guess how funny I can be.

What is on your “bucket” list?

I would like to travel to Greece and Egypt.

Marlene and her familyWhat is your favorite food?

I love all kinds of food!

What is your favorite movie?

“The Notebook” is my favorite movie.

What is your favorite hobby?

My favorite hobbies include spending time with my family, shopping, coloring and reading.

Are you an animal lover?  If yes, how many pets do you have and what kind are they?

I am an animal lover!  I have two dogs.