Employee Spotlight: Heather McKinney

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.

Heather McKinneyName:  Heather McKinney

Department: Administration

Title: Development Director

Primary work location: Olathe

How long have you worked at HPC?  

I have worked at HPC for eight weeks.

How did you get into your field of work?

I was admittedly lost after leaving an engineering career, then I entered grad school and began volunteering and it all came together.

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

I speak French with elementary/limited proficiency.

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

“If I had a flower for every time I thought of you, I could walk in my garden forever.” —Alfred Lord Tennyson—it’s the perfect tribute to my mom.

What values are important to you?

Heather McKinneyValues that are important to me are kindness, compassion, curiosity, peace, fairness, meaningful work, happiness, humor and fun.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I take ballet classes, and we even have a recital in front of an audience!

What is on your “bucket” list?

I’d love to learn how to play the guitar.

What is your favorite food?

Watermelon is my favorite food.

What is your favorite movie?

“Gleason” – A documentary about a former NFL player who was diagnosed with ALS.

What is your favorite hobby?

Yoga is my favorite hobby.

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

Yes! I have two dogs. Benny is an American Staffordshire Terrier, and Milly is an American Pitbull Terrier.

Employee Spotlight: Veronica Flores

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.

Veronica FloresName:  Veronica Flores

Department: Administration

Title: Manager of Patient Services

Primary work locationOlathe

How long have you worked at HPC?  

I’ve worked at HPC for seven years and seven months.

How did you get into your field of work?

I brought my daughters in for a dental appointment and after that, I came in myself. I felt the need to apply at HPC because I love the mission.

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?

“If you love someone, set them free. If they come back they’re yours; if they don’t they never were.”

What values are important to you?

Veronica FloresValues that are important to me are family, loyalty, humility, compassion and spirituality.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I became a grandma before I turned 40 and I don’t know how to swim, but I love the beach.

What is on your “bucket” list?

It has always been on my bucket list to go on a cruise but after COVID, I am considering other options.

What is your favorite food?

Mexican food is my favorite. I could eat stuffed peppers every day.

What is your favorite movie?

“My Best Friend’s Wedding” and “Pretty Woman” are my favorite movies.

What is your favorite hobby?

I love traveling, I wish I could do it more often. I also love spending time with my family.

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

I don’t have any pets. As a child I was afraid of dogs and cats, so I never had one. I have a fish if that counts.

30th Celebration Profiles and Reflections – Gwen Wagner

Editor’s Note: In celebration of 30 years of providing quality, affordable and accessible health care, we are profiling three individuals who have graciously shared their story about their connection with the clinic.

Gwen WagnerGWEN WAGNER, DNP, APRN, ANP-C
Health Partnership Clinic
Adult Nurse Practitioner, Diabetes Clinic

As Health Partnership Clinic’s (HPC) longest-tenured provider, Gwenyth Wagner, DNP, APRN, ANP-C, has observed an evolution at HPC that mirrors her own career. From very focused origins, both she and HPC have changed with the times to be of greater benefit to the community.

Like many, Dr. Wagner first served HPC as a volunteer.

An accomplished Registered Nurse in her early career, she worked at local hospitals and university health centers prior to completing her Master of Science in Nursing in 2009 at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan. Seeking to serve those who lacked the medical care opportunities she had seen in her native Toronto, Ontario, she began volunteering at HPC in 2010 — before HPC received its designations as a Medical Home and Federal Qualified Health Center.

Gwen WagnerFor patients who struggled to leave their daytime jobs to receive needed health care, Dr. Wagner helped begin an evening clinic at HPC. And from 2014-2018, she took on an expanded provider role by working daytime hours several days weekly.

Balancing her teaching and practitioner interests — and having received a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Kansas in 2014 — she now directs the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program full-time at Mid-America Nazarene University in Olathe, Kan. She also leads HPC’s High-Risk Diabetes Clinic, where she performs necessary physical assessments, orders tests and helps patients access appropriate medications. Her team, which serves patients with uncontrollable diabetes, also provides education and behavioral health services.

Community Presence

Helping to expand HPC’s reach, she also serves as Nurse Practitioner Coordinator, connecting area school students with internship-like roles where they gain valuable clinical experience working with HPC providers to coordinate patient care. “Students get a really great experience and a really good sense that this place has a purpose…that it’s fulfilling a community need,” Dr. Wagner says.

She believes that HPC will continue to have a strong community presence for as long as basic medical care is inhibited by financial and accessibility limitations. She quickly adds that HPC has risen to such challenges over the years by adding providers in growth areas, emphasizing quality-focused initiatives and sustaining a positive work environment.

Dr. Wagner has been married to her childhood sweetheart for 36 years. They have four adult sons, two daughters-in-law and six grandchildren. In her “spare time,” she likes to walk, crotchet, knit, arrange family events and play with her grandchildren.

As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, HPC recognizes and appreciates Dr. Wagner, not only for her dedication to the HPC mission of serving patients regardless of their ability to pay, but for fostering a culture of care among the staff and the providers of tomorrow.

Employee Spotlight: Eva Clark, WHNP-BC

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.

Eva ClarkName:  Eva Clark, WHNP-BC

Department: Medical

Title: Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Primary work location: Olathe

How long have you worked at HPC? 

I have worked at HPC since January of 2022.

How did you get into your field of work?

I knew in nursing school that I wanted to be a labor and delivery nurse. Through work I realized how much I enjoyed learning more about women’s health so I decided to further my career.

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

I used to speak French but haven’t since college. I really want to learn Spanish.

Eva Clark with FamilyDo you have a favorite quote? If yes, what is it?

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
-Maya Angelou

What values are important to you?

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

What is something about you that would surprise people?

Before becoming a nurse, I graduated from KU with my master’s in accounting and worked as an accountant for about five years.

What is on your “bucket” list?

I would love to travel to all 50 states and of course different countries. I want to see the world!

Eva ClarkWhat is your favorite food?

I love to cook and eat Soul Food

What is your favorite movie?

“Sister Act” and “Sister Act 2”

What is your favorite hobby?

I love spending time with my family and friends along with cooking and reading.

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

Yes! I love dogs as I grew up with them. Currently my family has one dog that we got from KC Pet Project last November. She is a two-year-old Boxer that our daughter named Bella Rose Clark.

30th Celebration Profiles and Reflections – Veronica Flores

Editor’s Note: In celebration of 30 years of providing quality, affordable and accessible health care, we are profiling three individuals who have graciously shared their story about their connection with the clinic.

Veronica Flores, Patient Services Manager at Health Partnership Clinic

Veronica FloresVeronica Flores has converted her daughters’ 2012 dental visit at Health Partnership Clinic (HPC) into a career she never imagined.

Veronica, HPC’s patient services manager, oversees a staff of 11 at four locations: Olathe, Paola Ottawa and Shawnee Mission. She and her team provide nearly every non-provider, patient-facing service, from intake and scheduling to working hand-in-hand with the Billing department to ensure accuracy. Along with taking prospective patients’ original requests for appointments and care, they manage the paperwork required for financial assistance or insurance reimbursements.

Originally from Chihuahua, Mexico — and speaking little English — Veronica first came to the Kansas City area in 2006 at the suggestion of friends and family already here. Back then a divorced and single mother, her two daughters followed once Veronica was established with a job and place to live.

Impressed by the high quality of care and reasonable cost for her daughters’ dental visit, she became a patient herself in 2013, seeing Gwenyth Wagner, DNP, APRN — then a primary care provider — and quickly decided that HPC appeared to be a great place to work. With a customer service background and the encouragement of others, she became a patient care representative in 2014 and has been an HPC mainstay ever since. Through transitions, Veronica became assistant manager in 2016 and then department manager in 2018. As the longest-tenured HPC associate who is not a direct patient care provider, Veronica has been credited by managers with raising HPC’s level of patient service and as one who inspires others to follow her lead.

Veronica Flores and familyWhen asked, Veronica enthusiastically says that being able to help HPC fulfill its mission is among her greatest satisfactions. She excels at patient interaction and especially loves to help HPC’s older and Spanish-speaking patients resolve issues often rooted in nothing more than a language or translation misunderstanding. She delights in receiving a card or small token of appreciation from HPC’s patients. It’s not the gift that necessarily matters to her, but more the thought.

Having trained as a bilingual secretary and private accountant at age 16 back in Chihuahua, Veronica is grateful for the unimaginable journey that has brought and kept her at HPC. She became a permanent resident in 2017 and plans to apply for U.S. citizenship after completing a required five-year wait this year.

Along the way, she married her husband, Eduardo, in 2008 and has set a strong example for her daughters, Victoria, age 24, and Valeria, 21, son Angel, 10, and grandson, Mateo, five.

When she’s not leading and inspiring her HPC team and colleagues, Veronica enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling and viewing Spanish-themed Netflix programs. An occasional glass of wine with friends she considers family is an added pleasure.

HPC is grateful to Veronica Flores for her dedication to HPC and her daily concern for our patients as we celebrate 30 years of serving the community.

Employee Spotlight: Rebecca Turner, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

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.

Rebecca TurnerName:  Rebecca Turner, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Department: Medical

Title: Family Nurse Practitioner

Primary work location: Olathe

How long have you worked at HPC?  

I’ve been at HPC for eight months.

How did you get into your field of work?

I worked as a nurse for six years in the ER, and after a while, I realized that I wanted to be the one to prevent people from going to the ER. So I went back to Nurse Practitioner school to focus on family medicine.

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

Unfortunately, I do not. I understand some Spanish but I cannot speak it very well.

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

In medicine it is “everything in moderation, even moderation.” -my nursing professor

What values are important to you?

Rebecca Turner and familyValues that are important to me are treating yourself and others with respect and dignity. Also, empathy, kindness, open-mindedness and caring for others.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I have played viola since I was nine. I played in college and still play in community orchestra here in the Kansas City area.

What is on your “bucket” list?

I would like to travel to as many places as possible; help make a difference in the world and eat as much good food as possible.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food is any and all kinds of tacos.

What is your favorite movie?

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, A Knight’s Tale.

What is your favorite hobby?

I like to go on walks with my dog and husband.

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

Yes! I love animals. I had a cat and dog growing up. Now I only have a dog, her name is Kirby, and she is the light of my life.

Employee Spotlight: Maureen Caro, FNP-BC

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.

Maureen CaroName:  Maureen (Mo) Caro

Department: Medical

Title: Family Nurse Practitioner

Primary work locationOlathe

How long have you worked at HPC?  

I’ve been at HPC for two years.

How did you get into your field of work?

My baby brother is severely disabled, and I started working with that population in high school. There was a nurse there who told me that I should look into nursing.

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

I speak Spanish.

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

I have a favorite poem by Anna Akhmatova—Why then do we not despair?

What values are important to you?

Maureen Caro and familyValues that are important to me are kindness, self-respect and respect for others.

What is something about you that would surprise people?

I am taller on the inside.

What is on your “bucket” list?

I would like to learn a third language as well as teach my kids a second language.

What is your favorite food?

My favorite food is sushi.

What is your favorite movie?

My favorite movie is “Hot Fuzz”.

What is your favorite hobby?

I like to knit and quilt.

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

I have two dogs—both are some kind of sheepdog mutt.

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