Employee Spotlight: Drew Meyer

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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!

Drew MeyerName: Drew Meyer

Department: Development/Marketing

Title: Development Director

Primary work location: Olathe

How long have you worked at HPC?
I’ve been at HPC for nearly two months.

How did you get into your field of work?

I started in the fundraising/development world in 2016 with a temporary/seasonal position. I assisted with fundraising campaigns across the KC metro area.

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

Yes, I’m fluent in “toddler.”

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

“May the Force be with you.”

What values are important to you?

Values that are important to me are family time, a sense of humor, positivity and work hard/play hard.

Drew Meyer and familyWhat is something about you that would surprise people?

I have gotten heavily into Formula 1 racing in the past few years.

What is on your “bucket” list?

I’d like to be an extra in the background of a Star Wars show or movie. And then I’d write and publish a short novel giving my character an extensive and completely unnecessary backstory but cementing myself into the official Star Wars canon. Also going to Japan would be cool.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food is ice cream or seafood if I had to pick real food.

What is your favorite movie?

My favorite movie is “The Notebook.” Just kidding, it’s obviously “Star Wars.” “The Empire Strikes Back” if I had to choose one.

What is your favorite hobby?

I enjoy playing board games, but like the good ones.

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

Yes, I am an animal lover! I have a dog named Louie. He’s a rescue and a mix of a lot of breeds. I just say he’s cute and that’s what matters.

Employee Spotlight: Christopher W. Woodward

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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!

Christopher W. Woodward, MA, LMACName: Christopher W. Woodward, MA, LMAC

Department: Behavioral Health

Title: Substance Abuse Specialist

Primary work location: Olathe

How long have you worked at HPC?  

I have been with HPC for four years.

How did you get into your field of work?

Eighteen years ago, I was in another profession and worked part-time as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor and I never left the profession.

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

Do movie quotes count as a language?

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

“Not the victory but the action; Not the goal but the game; In the deed the glory.” -Hartley Burr Alexander

What values are important to you?

Values that are important to me are hard work, teamwork and coffee.

Christopher W. Woodward and FamilyWhat is something about you that would surprise people?

My high school GPA would surprise people…

What is on your “bucket” list?

I would like to go on a Holy Land tour and a tour of the United Kingdom. I would also like to see my kid graduate.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite foods are steak and potatoes.

What is your favorite movie?

My favorite TV show is “Ted Lasso”

What is your favorite hobby?

My favorite hobby is fishing with my family.

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

I am not an animal lover. No pets allowed.

Employee Spotlight: Iliana Mejia

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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!

Iliana MejiaName:  Iliana Mejia

Department: Patient Services

Title: Patient Services Representative

Primary work location: Olathe

How long have you worked at HPC?  

I have been at HPC for seven months.

How did you get into your field of work?

I applied for this position because I wanted something different for myself. Applying to HPC was a great choice.

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

Yes, besides speaking English, my first language is Spanish.

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

“You will face many defeats in life, but never let yourself be defeated.”        
Maya Angelou

What values are important to you?

Values that are important to me include family, loyalty, love, respect, kindness and happiness.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

Iliana Mejia with FamilyI don’t have kids of my own, but I have six nieces and eight nephews that love me like a mom.

What is on your “bucket” list?

I would like to travel the world with the person I love most!

What is your favorite food?

Chinese food and pizza are my favorite foods.

What is your favorite movie?

“The Notebook”

What is your favorite hobby?

My favorite hobbies are singing and shopping with my nieces at Target.

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

I love dogs but I don’t have any of my own yet.

Employee Spotlight: Crystal Albarran

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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!

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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

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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.