Recognitions Archives - Health Partnership Clinic

The Vital Role of Nurse Practitioners in Community Health

November 17, 2025/in Recognitions/by Health Partnership Clinic

HPC Celebrates National Nurse Practitioner Week, Nov. 9-15

Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are advanced practice registered nurses who provide high-quality, patient-centered care across the lifespan. With graduate-level education and clinical training, nurse practitioners diagnose and treat illnesses, prescribe medications, order diagnostic tests and emphasize prevention and wellness.

At Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), nurse practitioners play a critical role in expanding access to care. FQHCs exist to make sure everyone—no matter their income, insurance status, or background—has access to quality healthcare. Nurse practitioners help make that possible. Many underserved communities face provider shortages, long wait times, and transportation barriers. Nurse practitioners help fill those gaps by serving as primary care providers who can diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of health conditions. Their presence allows more patients to be seen more quickly and helps reduce unnecessary emergency room visits.

Beyond clinical impact, nurse practitioners contribute to the financial sustainability of FQHCs. Their focus on prevention and chronic disease management reduces healthcare costs while allowing providers to serve more patients. In short, nurse practitioners are essential partners in fulfilling the mission of community health centers: improving health, advancing equity and building stronger, healthier communities for everyone.

We are so grateful for our Nurse Practitioners Papri Barman, Eva Clark, Patricia Fowler, Thao Le, Joseph Nichols, Jazmine Spencer and Whitney Venegoni! Thank you for all you do for our patients and our community.

Happy Nurse Practitioner Week!

May Brings Special Recognition to Nurses and Patient Services Representatives

May 12, 2025/in Employee Spotlight, Recognitions/by Health Partnership Clinic

National Nurses Week, 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, statistician and the founder of modern nursing.

This year’s theme for Nurses Week is “The Power of Nurses”, which highlights the resilience, expertise, and heart nurses bring to their patients and communities every day.
At HPC we celebrate the important roles that nurses play on the frontlines of the healthcare system. Special thanks to our LPNs, Kelli Brower and Michelle Fleming, for all that they do to support our patients, medical providers, medical assistants and other HPC team members.

Additionally, we would like to thank Hannah Carlisle, RN, Clinic Director and Risk/Compliance Officer, for overseeing the nursing department, refining workflows and leading the charge in patient safety.

Hannah shared, “Since joining the HPC team, the nurses have been working hard to help adapt a nurse closure model. The nurse closure model provides more education opportunities for our patients regarding their chronic medical conditions, medication questions, and any other education they may need to better manage their health and comply with treatments. We have seen the positive outcomes of this, as patients have made statements of gratitude for the extra time and kindness, as well as some slow but positive improvements in patient health outcomes. At HPC, the nurses show up to give their best, help the team however they can, and acknowledge our patients’ questions and concerns with education and compassion. Daily we can see the effect of ‘The Power of Nurses’.”

Thank you, Kelli, Michelle and Hannah for all the great work you do to improve patient care at HPC!

Patient Services Representatives Day/Receptionist Day, May 14

Since 1991, National Receptionist Day has been celebrated on the second Wednesday of May, this year falling on Wednesday, May 14. HPC would like to take this opportunity to recognize our Patient Services Representatives (PSRs) who fill the role of receptionist and so much more! They are the first smiling faces our patients interact with once they walk through the doors.

At first glance, you may think that our patient services representatives only check patients in and out of our clinics all day. But did you know that just at the Olathe location, the PSR staff receives over 5,500 calls on average per month? This would equal about 1,400 calls per week and 280 calls per day. The focus and diligence of our PSR staff allows them to perform each of the following tasks daily: taking payments, scheduling appointments, verifying insurance, scanning patient paperwork and completing pre-registration for their individual assignments.

Mayra Bocanegra, Manager of Billing & Patient Services, stated, “I am incredibly proud of our patient service representatives. Despite all the changes and what our everyday life outside of work throws at us, I love my job at HPC and the mission we strive for. I would not change it for anything.”

Thank you to our wonderful team of PSRs: Crystal Albarran, Anahi Bueno, Jean Cast-Martin, Diana Flores, Iliana Mejia, Karla Nunez and Natalia Rosales.

The PSRs are also part of the Revenue Cycle Management team and work closely with Mayra; Perla Cardenas, Women’s Health Coordinator; Jorge Larriba, Dental Coordinator; Billie Reese-Turner, Director of Billing and Patient Services; Yesenia Salazar, Billing Coordinator; and Diana Zamora, Enrollment Specialist.

HPC Celebrates National Hygienists Week and Administrative Professionals Day in April

April 14, 2025/in Recognitions/by Health Partnership Clinic

National Dental Hygienist Week | April 7-11

Every April, we celebrate National Dental Hygienist Week to recognize the invaluable contributions of dental hygienists and their dedication to promoting good oral health—an essential component of overall well-being.

With over 200,000 dental hygienists across the United States and nearly 3,000 in Kansas, these professionals play a crucial role in preventive care. Working under a dentist’s supervision, dental hygienists clean teeth, assess oral health and detect signs of gum disease, cavities, and other conditions. Beyond treatment, they empower patients with the knowledge to maintain lifelong oral hygiene habits.

Becoming a dental hygienist requires rigorous education. Students complete prerequisite coursework before pursuing a dental hygiene certificate or associate degree, typically a three-year program. Many go on to earn a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in Dental Hygiene to expand their expertise.

In Kansas, dental hygienists can obtain an Extended Care Permit (ECP)—Level I, II, or III—allowing them to provide care in schools, nursing homes and other community settings with indirect supervision, increasing access to essential oral healthcare.

A special thank you to Christina Cook, RDH, ECP II, Dental Operations Manager and Dental Hygienist, and Rowena (Row) Arensman, RDH, Dental Hygienist, for their unwavering dedication to our patients. This dynamic duo consistently goes above and beyond to ensure excellent care!

Let’s take a moment to appreciate and celebrate all dental hygienists—especially Christina and Row at Health Partnership Clinic—for their commitment to healthier smiles and healthier lives!

Celebrating National Administrative Professionals’ Day | April 23

Every year, on the Wednesday of the last full week of April, we celebrate National Administrative Professionals’ Day—also known as Secretaries Day or Admin Day—to recognize the invaluable contributions of administrative support professionals. These dedicated individuals keep organizations running smoothly, providing essential support to teams and leaders alike.

Today, we give a special shoutout to Nikki Balden, Administrative Assistant, at HPC! Nikki plays a crucial role in supporting our Senior Leadership Team, coordinating meetings and schedules, assisting with HR functions, and taking notes for Continuous Quality Improvement meetings. She also meticulously records minutes for the Board of Directors, Finance and Quality Improvement Committee’s monthly meetings, among many other responsibilities. Nikki’s dedication and efficiency keep HPC organized and thriving—we are incredibly grateful for all she does!

Nikki shares her passion for her role:

“My favorite part of my job is the people I get to work with and seeing our HPC mission put into action through them each day. I have a great amount of respect for our Senior Leadership and have seen firsthand how they live and lead our mission. Every person in our organization plays a vital role—from our front desk staff to our providers. We are lucky to have a team that truly cares about the communities we serve, and I am proud to be part of it. Whether I’m working behind the scenes or in a more visible capacity, I know I’m contributing to something that has a meaningful impact on people’s lives.”

Join us in thanking and celebrating Nikki and all administrative professionals for their hard work, dedication and commitment to keeping our teams and organizations running seamlessly!

Stay tuned for May, when we celebrate Patient Services Representatives and Nurses!

Honoring Our Physicians on National Doctor’s Day – Sunday, March 30

March 26, 2025/in Recognitions/by Health Partnership Clinic

Each year on March 30, the United States celebrates National Doctor’s Day, a time to recognize the invaluable contributions of physicians who dedicate their lives to caring for their patients, strengthening communities and advancing health care.

With over one million physicians practicing across the country, becoming a doctor requires years of rigorous education and training. The journey begins with four years of undergraduate studies, followed by four years of medical school. Afterward, doctors complete three to five years of residency in their chosen specialty, with some pursuing an additional one to three years of fellowship training to become sub-specialists.

Doctors earn one of two equivalent degrees: Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). Throughout their training, they face demanding schedules, often working 80-hour weeks with overnight shifts, all while upholding the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and patient care.

Physicians specialize in a wide range of fields, from primary care—including family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics—to surgical specialties, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry, and more. In fact, there are over 100 medical specialties and sub-specialties in the U.S. Of all specialties, family medicine sees the highest number of patients during office visits, playing a crucial role in community healthcare.

On this National Doctor’s Day, we extend our deepest gratitude to our Health Partnership Clinic physicians – Drs. Emily M. Bush, Cheri El-Halawany, Kelly Kreisler, Chief Health Officer, Kare Lyche and Noriko Okahara. Your dedication, hard work, and compassion make a profound difference in the lives of our patients and the community.

Thank you for all that you do!

HPC Celebrates Nurse Practitioner Week, Nov. 10-16

November 18, 2024/in Recognitions/by Health Partnership Clinic

By Kelly Kreisler, MD, MPH, FAAP, Chief Health Officer and Pediatrician

Meet your Nurse Practitioners!

At Health Partnership Clinic (HPC) our Nurse Practitioners play key roles. They provide a full range of medical care from pediatric to geriatric and some specialty services. We greatly appreciate their quality of care and service to our patients.

What is a Nurse Practitioner?

A nurse practitioner is an RN who begins with a bachelor’s degree in nursing (RN-BSN). He or she then obtains a master’s degree, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) or doctoral level, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). Nurse practitioners may practice in broad areas including primary care, acute care and specialty care services, practicing either independently or in collaboration with a physician. Your primary care provider may be a nurse practitioner.

What does a Nurse Practitioner do?

Primary Care nurse practitioners see patients in offices or Urgent Care settings, perform routine check-ups and investigate symptoms to diagnose and treat illnesses. Their work varies from wellness visits to managing chronic complex illnesses. They order and interpret lab tests, x-rays and the full range of other diagnostic tests. From your history and test results, they form a treatment plan. Some nurse practitioners perform procedures such as biopsies, suturing of lacerations and fracture care to name a few.

What is the education and training needed to become a Nurse Practitioner?

All nurse practitioners complete a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program and a Master of Science in Nursing (APRN) and/or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. Each nurse practitioner has to successfully pass a certification exam to begin practice.

Do Nurse Practitioners specialize, or do they all practice Primary Care?

About three-fourths of nurse practitioners work in Primary Care but there are many other specialties that can be pursued. These include Psychiatry and Mental Health, Orthopedics, Pediatrics, Nurse Midwife and Women’s Health.

At HPC our nurse practitioners play key roles specializing in primary care, psychiatric services and women’s health. We also employ nurse practitioners who are specially trained in medication assisted treatment of substance abuse.

Please take time to thank our Nurse Practitioners for all they do for our patients. Happy Nurse Practitioner Week!

We are so grateful for our NPs at HPC. Thank you Tony Anno, DNP, ACNP-BC, APRN; Eva Clark, MSN, APRN, WHNP-BC; Trish Fowler, DNP, APRN, FNP-C; Edward Karanja, MSN, APRN, FNP-C; Thao Le, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC; Jennifer Miller, FNP-BC; Jessica Nichols, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC; Inessa Sergeyeva, MSN, APRN, ANP-BC, FNP-BC; Leigh Smith, DNP, FNP-C, and Whitney Venegoni, APRN, FNP-C.

HPC Celebrates Medical Assistants Week Oct. 21-25

October 14, 2024/in HPC News, Recognitions/by Health Partnership Clinic

By Hannah Carlisle, BSN, RN, Clinic Director and Risk Manager

Medical assisting is an allied health profession where health professionals function as members of the healthcare delivery team and perform administrative and clinical assistance. With their unique versatility, medical assistants (MAs) are proving to be the allied health professional of choice for this decade and beyond. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical assisting is one of the Nation’s faster than average growing careers.

Our MAs at Health Partnership Clinic (HPC) are multiskilled health professionals who perform a wide range of administrative and clinical tasks with skill, dedication and loyalty. All the MAs at HPC are cross trained and are an asset to our patients and providers with their vast knowledge of ambulatory care.

They make a substantial contribution to the quality of health by promoting and maintaining collaborative and meaningful interactions between patients and providers while being vital members of the team. MAs are an integral point of contact for patients and relatives when visiting their healthcare provider. A significant part of the MA’s daily routine revolves around supporting the healthcare team and patients by participating in quality, value-based care initiatives.

We have MAs who are our subject matter experts in Pediatrics, Women’s Health and Primary Care working with doctors and nurse practitioners who provide care to infants, children, teens and adults.

We are very thankful for our MAs at HPC:

Carolina Barraza, Tierra Hardaway, Jamie Johnson, Mayra Lemus, Jessica Magallanes, Sandra Marquez, Traci McIntire, Cinthia Salazar and Shamya Starks.

May Brings Special Recognition to Nurses and Patient Services Representatives

May 6, 2024/in Employee Spotlight, Recognitions/by Health Partnership Clinic

By Debbie Sparks, Development and Marketing Manager

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 “Nurses Make the 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 healthcare system. Special thanks to Hannah Carlisle, RN, Nurse Clinic Manager, and Crystal Ohanmu, LPN, for all that they do to support our patients, medical providers, medical assistants and other HPC team members.

Additionally, we would like to thank Mindy Beckwith, BSN, MSN, RN, Clinic Director and Risk/Compliance Officer, for overseeing the nursing department, refining workflows and leading the charge in patient safety.

Thank you, Hannah, Crystal and Mindy, for all of the good work you do to improve patient care at HPC!

Patient Services Representatives Day/Receptionist Day is May 8

Since 1991, National Receptionist Day has been celebrated on the second Wednesday of May, this year falling on Wednesday, May 8. 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.

“We have faced many challenges over the past year, but our awesome team has stuck together,” Mayra says. “We recently implemented a new fee schedule, and everyone did an amazing job in communicating and supporting our patients.”

“My team always demonstrates a willingness to learn and to improve,” she adds. “We are finally fully staffed and have a strong team in place. I am grateful and look forward to working alongside them every day.”

Thank you to our wonderful team of PSRs: Crystal Albarran, Lisa Caldera, Jean Cast-Martin, Diana Flores, Rocio Gonzalez, Iliana Mejia, Karla Nunez, Cely Ortiz, Patricia Ortiz, Maria Pena, PSR Lead, and Ilse Salazar.

The PSRs are part of the Revenue Cycle Management team and work closely with Mayra; Perla Cardenas, Women’s Health Coordinator; Jorge Larriba, Dental Coordinator; Billie Reese-Turner, Director of Billing and Patient Services; Yesenia Salazar, Billing Coordinator; and Diana Zamora, Enrollment Specialist.

HPC Salutes Staff During National Recognitions

March 25, 2024/in HPC News, Recognitions/by Health Partnership Clinic

By Debbie Sparks, Development and Marketing Manager

National Social Work Month

March is Social Work Month and is a time to acknowledge the work that this profession has contributed to our society and across the globe. This year’s theme is “Empowering Social Workers.”

The need for social workers is great. There are nearly 720,000 social workers in our nation and more than 4,700 social workers in the state of Kansas. That number is expected to grow by 12 percent by the end of the decade, making social work one of the fastest growing professions in the nation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Social workers have been an integral part of our nation for decades. Social workers played key roles in the Civil Rights and Women’s Rights movements and pushed for social programs we now take for granted, including the minimum wage, a 40-hour work week, Social Security and Medicare. People are entering the field because the life-affirming services that social workers provide are needed more than ever. Empowered social workers inspire action and lead change.

Thank you to HPC’s Social Workers, Ming Strother, LSCSW, Behavioral Health Clinician, and Jennifer Truman, LSCSW, LCSW, CCTPII, Lead Behavioral Health Clinician, and Pauline Shafer, MSW Practicum Student, University of Kansas.

National Doctor’s Day, Saturday, March 30

National Doctor’s Day is celebrated on March 30 annually in the United States to honor physicians for the work they do for their patients in their communities and for society.

There are over a million physicians in the United States.
The education and training of physicians typically includes four years of college, four years of medical school, three to five years of residency training in the chosen specialty and one to three years of additional training for sub-specialists.
There are two different but equivalent degrees doctors can earn: Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).
The training years are difficult with long work hours of often 80 hours per week, low pay and many overnight shifts in the hospital. In addition, the highest levels of professionalism, conduct and ethics are expected of doctors.
Areas of practice include the primary care specialties such as family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics. Other specialties include surgery, obstetrics and gynecology and psychiatry. There are well over 100 specialties and sub-specialties in the United States.
The specialty that sees the most patients during office visits is family medicine.

Thank you to our HPC physicians: Emily M. Bush, MD; Cheri El-Halawany, MD, FAAP; Kelly Kreisler, MD, MPH, FAAP, Chief Health Officer; Kare Lyche, MD, and Noriko Okahara, DO, MPH, for their hard work and dedication to our patients and the clinic. We appreciate all that you do to support and serve our patients.

March is a great time to show our appreciation for our Dental staff!

February 26, 2024/in Dental, HPC News, Recognitions/by Health Partnership Clinic

We Have Much to Celebrate at HPC in March!

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 2023 there are approximately 202,300 dentists who are professionally active in the United States. There are approximately 2,100 active dentists in Kansas, of which approximately 280 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.

Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Pedodontics
Periodontics
Prosthodontics
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Endodontics
Public Health Dentistry
Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
Dental Anesthesiology
Oral Medicine
Orofacial Pain

Special thanks to our dentist, Nader Rastgoftar, DDS, for providing top notch patient care!

National Dental Assistant Week, March 3-9

“Dental Assistants –100 Years of Supporting Oral Health” is the theme for 2024 and acknowledges the importance of dentistry’s role in health care and the contributions of dental assistants.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2022, there are more than 371,000 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!

Health Partnership earns Community Health Quality Recognition

January 8, 2024/in HPC News, Recognitions/by Health Partnership Clinic

By Catherine Rice, Vice President of Marketing/Outreach

Health Partnership Clinic (HPC) is proud to announce that it has received three Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) Awards from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health Care Program. This is a significant accomplishment, and we’re so proud of our staff!

CHQR badges recognize health centers, like HPC, that have made notable quality improvement achievements in the areas of access, quality, health equity, health information technology and COVID-19 public health emergency response for the most recent Uniform Data System (UDS) reporting period.

Recognition badges received by HPC include:

Silver Award Health Center Quality Leader, which is in recognition of ranking among the top 20 percent of health centers nationally for the best overall clinical performance!
Advancing HIT for Quality
Primary Care Medical Home (PCMH)

We appreciate our team’s commitment to providing quality, primary health care services to the communities we serve. Each team member plays a key role, and when those collective skills, expertise and passion are brought together, our mission is realized. At HPC, we are all about improving health and impacting lives!