Employee Spotlight: Monica Masters, Behavioral Health Clinician

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.

Monica MastersName: Monica Masters, MS, LCPC, LCAC, NCC

Department: Behavioral Health

Title: Behavioral Health Clinician

Primary work location: Olathe

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

How did you get into your field of work?

Everything lined up perfectly, from my name Monica (meaning-to advise), my personality type INFJ (the Advocate) to my natural desire and ability to connect with others. And even my zodiac sign Cancer (compassionate). Helping others comes naturally.

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

Monica MastersI don’t currently speak any other languages, but I am in the process of learning Spanish.

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

“I am only one; but I am still one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” -Helen Keller

What values are important to you?

Values that are important to me are integrity, family, faith, humor, respect, social justice and authenticity.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I am a balloon twister. I can shape balloons into different designs and creations.

What is on your “bucket” list?

I want to take my sons and their families to Cuba, where they are descendants from.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food is authentic Mexican food.

What is your favorite movie?

Monica Masters with her Dog“The Color Purple”

What is your favorite hobby?

I enjoy doing anything with my family and friends, spending time with my grandbabies is the best hobby I could ever have!

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

My Teacup Yorkie passed away in April of 2021. His name was Mr. Snickerdoodles, and he was my everything. I was blessed to have him for 13 years and not a day goes by that I do not miss him. I have no plans to find another fur baby at this time, however I love hearing others share about theirs!

I would like to go and see the Harry Potter studio.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite foods are Chinese and Japanese.

What is your favorite movie?

I love lots of movies, it’s so hard to choose. I like “Confessions of a Shopaholic.”

What is your favorite hobby?

My favorite hobby is traveling.

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

Yes, I love animals. I have a cat named Luna!

 

HPC rings in the new year with two new providers!

By Catherine Rice, Vice President of Marketing/Outreach

Health Partnership Clinic (HPC) is pleased to welcome two new providers to our team—Eva Clark, MSN, APRN, WHNP-BC, who is certified as a Women’s Health/Nurse Practitioner, and Monica Masters, MS, LCPC, LCAC, NCC, a Behavioral Health Clinician. Both professionals began working at the clinic in January 2022.

Eva Clark, MSN, APRN, WHNP-BC

Eva ClarkEva joins HPC following 10 years’ work on the OB unit at KC’s Research Medical Center, providing a full range of labor, delivery and post-partum services. During that time, she also returned to school at Drexel University of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for online coursework – and nearly 650 hours of clinical experience at Midwest Women’s Healthcare Specialists — to become board certified as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner in 2018.

At HPC, Eva will pursue her passion of working with patients in or from underserved communities. Expanding on her OB focus, she’ll provide comprehensive gynecologic care to women at all their life’s stages.

Originally from Kansas City, Kan., Eva completed bachelors and masters degrees in the business-related fields of accounting, management and information systems at the University of Kansas, Lawrence. After working at prestigious companies, she rediscovered a passion for health care that began in high school and a desire to work long-term in a more people and care-centered environment.

A fan of cooking, baking, reading and beach vacations, Eva and her very supportive husband are parents to three children – sons, ages 11 and 1, and a daughter, age 5. The family is excited for their mom to pursue her professional passions in a clinical environment with greater work-life balance.

Summarizing her ongoing journey as a healthcare provider, Eva said, “I like working with underserved populations and want to give them the best care that I possibly can.”

Monica Masters, MS, LCPC, LCAC, NCC

Monica MastersMonica joins HPC following nearly 15 years of counseling patients at community-based organizations including Lakeview, Johnson County Mental Health, Wyandot Behavioral Network and the Salvation Army Harbor Light Village. She also has 10 years’ experience as a certified nursing assistant, mostly occurring during her college years.

Monica is no stranger to HPC. When she served as a dual-diagnosis Johnson County Mental Health therapist, she would refer her clients to the clinic for services.

At HPC, Monica will continue her passion for serving patients in the community who struggle with knowing where to reach out to for assistance, don’t have the financial means to do so, or are apprehensive about their ability to heal. She’ll focus on helping them manage comorbidity, depression, anxiety, grief and loss. Some have a history of trauma and substance abuse disorder. Her ability to help these patients has been strengthened by coping with the loss of a granddaughter and her own visual impairment beginning at age 39.

Originally from Emporia, Kan., Monica earned bachelor degrees in sociology and rehabilitation services, and a Master of Mental Health Counseling degree, all from Emporia State University. Her early-career work included substance abuse counseling, which she misses and hopes to renew at HPC. More recently, she has found a newer calling in helping patients cope and manage the effects of a medical diagnosis. “It is an honor for me to help someone with that process, to help them embrace the future and accept what it is, not to resist or deny it, and learn to live with it,” Monica says.

Both providers work at our Olathe location.

Employee Spotlight: Cheri El-Halawany, MD, Pediatrician

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.

Cheri El-HalawanyName:  Cheri El-Halawany, MD

Department: Medical

Title: Pediatrician

Primary work location: Shawnee Mission

How long have you worked at HPC?  

I’ve been at HPC for four months.

How did you get into your field of work?

I’ve always loved children, even as a teenager. Children liven up a room and remind us of what really matters in life.

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

Cheri El-Halawany and familyYes, I speak Spanish and Arabic.

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

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” -Mark Twain

What values are important to you?

Values that are important to me are kindness, humility and justice.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I oil paint. It’s ben a while, but I enjoy doing landscapes.

What is on your “bucket” list?

I would like to go and see the Harry Potter studio.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite foods are Chinese and Japanese.

What is your favorite movie?

Cheri El-Halawany and familyI love lots of movies, it’s so hard to choose. I like “Confessions of a Shopaholic.”

What is your favorite hobby?

My favorite hobby is traveling.

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

Yes, I love animals. I have a cat named Luna!

Cheri El-Halawany and family

Employee Spotlight: Dania Guzman, Patient Account Coordinator

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.

Dania GuzmanName: Dania Guzman

Department: Billing

Title: Patient Account Coordinator

Primary work locationOlathe

How long have you worked at HPC?  

I’ve been at HPC for nearly two years.

How did you get into your field of work?

I have always loved the medical field and have aspired to work in a clinic. I learned so much working in my prior role as a Patient Services Representative at HPC. I loved it.

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

Dania Guzman and Family

I speak English and Spanish.

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

“Tough times do not last, tough people do.”

What values are important to you?

Humility is a very important value to me.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I don’t know, I am pretty boring!

What is on your “bucket” list?

For Christmas, I would love to bring toys and food to kids who are living on the streets in my hometown in Mexico.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite foods are tortas and pazole!

What is your favorite movie?

I don’t have a favorite movie.

What is your favorite hobby?

I love to dance and watch other people dance.

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

I am not an animal lover, but my kids have a dog in Mexico. His name is Toby, and they love to see him when they visit.

Employee Spotlight: Abby Rose, Medical Assistant

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.

Name:  Abby Rose

Department: Medical

Title: Medical Assistant

Primary work locationOlathe

How long have you worked at HPC?

Two months

How did you get into your field of work?

I first became interested in medicine when my mother had stage four colon cancer. I got my experience as an MA because I had a friend who recommended me for a job.

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

I’m working toward being bilingual in Spanish.

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

“Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right.” -Henry Ford

What values are important to you?

Values that are important to me are honesty and trust.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I am obsessed with true crime documentaries.

What is on your “bucket” list?

I would like to travel to Europe with my fiancé.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food is pasta, pasta and more pasta!

What is your favorite movie?

“The Office” is my favorite television series.

What is your favorite hobby?

I like crocheting amigurumi, which are plush toys.

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

Heck yes! I only have one dog right now. Her name is Roe. She is a 45- pound Labrador/Pitt Bull mix. She loves to make new friends, go on car rides and cuddle in bed.

HPC Celebrates Nurse Practitioner Week, Nov. 7-13.

Wael S. Mourad, MD, MHCM, FAAFP

Post written by Wael Mourad, MD, MHCM, FAAFP, Chief Health Officer

Nurse Practitioners occupy a very significant portion of the health care work force in the United States.

What is a Nurse Practitioner (NP)?

An NP is an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) and is a type of mid-level provider. A mid-level provider is a medical practitioner who independently sees and treats patients under the supervision of a physician (while in some select states, they are able to practice independently). They are trained to provide primary, specialty, acute and chronic care to patients of all ages.

What is the history behind NPs?

The discipline of nurse practitioners began in the 1960s and was initiated by Dr. Henry Silver, a physician, and Loretta Ford, RN, a nurse. In 1971, the U.S. Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare formally recommended expanding the scope of nursing practice to be able to serve as primary care providers.

Do NPs practice only as primary care providers?

The answer is a resounding “No!” NPs practice in nearly all the medical subspecialties such as cardiology, pulmonology, nephrology and many more. We also have pediatric nurse practitioners and those who practice in highly acute settings such as the neonatal intensive care units. Related mid-level provider disciplines that nurses enter include midwifery and certified nurse anesthesiology (while not nurse practitioners, they are frequent members of the team).

How do NPs help form a great team?

In a great team, everyone has their role. At HPC, NPs come from a variety of backgrounds to serve our patients in a primary care role. They can care for a great variety of presentations and ailments. If the patient becomes too complex, the patient can then be seen by the physician. This allows patients to be cared for in a caring and cost-effective way that utilizes everyone’s skill to its maximum.

Do NPs bring anything to the table that physician’s do not?

Absolutely. Nurses have a different training background than physicians. Nurses are traditionally closer to the patient than are physicians. They are more in tune with patients’ needs in many respects, and this allows potentially more opportunity to establish rapport with patients, as well as advocate for their needs.

We are so grateful for our NPs at HPC. Thank you, Tony Anno, DNP, ACNP-BC, APRN; Maureen Caro, FNP-BC; Jennifer Miller, FNP-BC; Andrea Scott, FNP-BC; Rebecca Turner, MSN, APRN, FNP-C; Whitney Venegoni, APRN, FNP-C; Gwenyth Wagner, DNP, APRN; and Patti West, DNP, APRN. By forming a great team that works together, that is how we best take care of our patients!

Nurse Practitioner Week 2021

Employee Spotlight: Nader Rastgoftar, DDS, Dental Director

Employee Spotlight

Nader RastgoftarName:  Nader Rastgoftar, DDS

Department: Dental

Title: Dental Director

Primary work locationOlathe, Ottawa, Outreach

How long have you worked at HPC?  

I have been at HPC for six years.

How did you get into your field of work?

In 2003, I needed an emergency surgery on my wrist, and the outcome did not look too promising. I could lose all movement for the rest of my life. After I got my cast off, I was told that my wrist healed normally. I was so happy and relieved! My doctor was even happier since the outcome of his work left a positive and everlasting impact on his patient’s life. At that moment, I realized that I wanted to work in health care to change people’s life.

I chose the medical field where I could utilize my engineering background. I found the manual dexterity, problem solving and artistic aspect of dentistry to be very similar to my previous experiences in engineering. I applied for dental school and in 2011 I was accepted to UMKC School of Dentistry.

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

I speak English, Farsi, Turkish and some Thai, Arabic and Spanish.

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

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” -Nelson Mandela

What values are important to you?

Values that are important to me include courage, gratitude, kindness, integrity, respect, patience and forgiveness.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I was born in Tehran, the capital city of Iran, and moved to the United States in 2003.

What is on your “bucket” list?

Dr. Nader FamilyI would like to travel to Iran, Thailand, Tahiti, Bora Bora, Hawaii, Paris, Japan and Switzerland. I would also like to visit the Colosseum in Rome and Oktoberfest in Munich.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite foods are Thai food, steak and seafood.

What is your favorite movie?

“The Usual Suspects”

What is your favorite hobby?

My favorite hobbies are spending time with my kids, watching comedies with my wife, grilling, watching football, fishing and gardening.

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

I am an animal lover. My wife and I like fish. We have a 55 gallon freshwater aquarium with more than 40 fish in it.

Employee Spotlight: Whitney Venegoni, Nurse Practitioner

Employee Spotlight

 

Whitney VenegoniWe 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.

Name: Whitney Venegoni, APRN, FNP-BC

Department: Medical

Title: Nurse Practitioner

Primary work location: Olathe Fire Department/Olathe

How long have you worked at HPC?  

Two years.

How did you get into your field of work?

My grandma was ill when I was young. The way the nurses made us feel stuck with me. I knew I wanted to be one!

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

I speak English and Spanish and started learning ASL recently.

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

Whitney Venegoni and family“A year from now you will wish you had started today.”

What values are important to you?

Values that are important to me are compassion, respect and positivity.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I’m training jiu-jitsu!

What is on your “bucket” list?

I would like to get my black belt and enjoy lots of travel and adventure with my family and friends.

What is your favorite food?

Depends on the day! Cheeseburgers, tamales, pizza…

What is your favorite movie?

“Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” Anything with Audrey Hepburn.

What is your favorite hobby?

I like to do anything outdoors and baking.

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

Yes!  I have a 150-pound Newfoundland named Sarge and a 13-pound mini dachshund named Ellie. Ellie is 100 percent in charge.

Employee Spotlight: Christina Cook, Dental Hygienist

Employee Spotlight

Christina CookName: Christina Cook

Department: Dental

Title: Dental Hygienist

Primary work location: Olathe

How long have you worked at HPC?
It will be two years in October.

How did you get into your field of work?
I always wanted to go into health care. What made me decide on dentistry is the positive work environment.

Do you speak any other languages? If yes, which ones?
No, I wish!

Do you have a favorite quote? If yes, what is it?
“You are the architect of your own life. Create a life that you enjoy so much you don’t need a vacation from it!”

What values are important to you?
Values that are important to me, one word: kindness.

Christina Cook EngagementWhat is something about you that would surprise people?
I have lived all over the country traveling with my dad when he was in the military. Also, I was recently engaged!

What is on your “bucket” list?
I would like to go skydiving.

What is your favorite food?
My favorite food is avocado.

What is your favorite movie?
“Bridesmaids”

What is your favorite hobby?
I like yoga and to try new recipes.

Are you an animal lover? If yes, how many pets do you have and what kind are they?
Yes! We have two fur babies named Bella and Drake, and I think the only reason we work so hard is so they can have a better life!

Chrstina Cook's Fur Babies

HPC welcomes board-certified pediatrician Cheri El-Halawany, MD, FAAP

Cheri El-Halawany, MD, FFAPHealth Partnership Clinic (HPC) welcomes Cheri El-Halawany, MD, FAAP, a board-certified pediatrician, to its team of talented medical professionals. Beginning Tuesday, August 17, she will see patients through age 21 at HPC’s Shawnee Mission office, 9119 W. 74th Street. She speaks English, Spanish and Arabic.

Dr. El-Halawany joins HPC following nine years of clinical and instructional work at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, where she was recognized for both teaching excellence and her impact on graduating students. She earlier practiced in both Colorado and Southern California, where she completed her pediatric residency.

No stranger to the KC area, she completed in 2007 the combined six-year program at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Medical School, where she also earned a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree. She earlier graduated from Notre Dame de Sion High School, Kansas City, Mo.

Working in underserved areas and participating in a 2010 ARPAN Global Charities Mission trip to Egypt – her family’s country of origin – have inspired Dr. El-Halawany. An avid traveler, reader and classical pianist, she is excited to again focus on clinical work that allows her to care for children of all ages, regardless of insurance, and to benefit the community.

Asked about her care style, she commented, “It’s simply to care, to listen to parents’ and patients’ concerns, and make sure to explain things clearly before they leave.”

Dr. El-Halawany is passionate about patient comfort. “I use patience and play, especially for the younger kids who are scared to see a doctor,” she says. “For teens, I think it is important to take an interest in their affairs and ask the right questions. Kids are smart, they can tell if you care.”

Please join us in welcoming Dr. El-Halawany to the HPC team!