Residents of the Portland metro area can look forward to better health, thanks to the work of seven health care professionals:
* Lisa Bozzetti of Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center, serving Washington and Yamhill counties
* Steve Hardenbergh, Amy Hardy, Meghan Hart, Rachel Solotaroff and Leslie Tallyn, all of Central City Concern's Old Town Clinic in downtown Portland
* Brian Sandoval of Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic in Portland and Woodburn
The Oregon Primary Care Association (OPCA) recognized these health care professionals through its annual Health Center Leadership awards. OPCA's awards honor Oregonians who contribute to the success of the state's network of community health centers. Health centers provide comprehensive, culturally competent primary care to more than 358,000 Oregonians in medically underserved communities.
Bozzetti won awards in the "Growth" and "Sustainability" categories for her leadership in providing oral health services to vulnerable and underserved populations in Washington and Yamhill counties. Hardenbergh was recognized with an "Innovation" award for his pioneering "Hot Sauce" program to integrate addictions treatment into primary care. Hardy and Hart also received "Innovation" awards, for implementing and improving the SBIRT program at Old Town Clinic. Under SBIRT (Screening, Brief Intervention & Referral to Treatment), every patient is screened for substance abuse and referred for follow-up as appropriate.
Solotaroff and Tallyn were honored in the "Health Equities" category for fostering strong relations and referrals between Old Town Clinic and agencies that break down external barriers to good health, such as poor housing and lack of employment. Sandoval received a "Leadership in Transformation" award for his work in integrating behavioral health and medical care and for developing and delivering training to all staff of the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic. His curriculum teaches staff members to help patients better manage their own health.
OPCA gave Health Center Leadership awards to 12 professionals in five categories. Following is the complete list of 2014 honorees:
* Growth Award: Lisa Bozzetti, dental director, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center; Linda Maxon, executive director, Bandon Community Health Center.
* Health Equities Award: Kim Freuen, dental clinic coordinator, White Bird Clinic; Rachel Solotaroff, MD, medical director, and Leslie Tallyn, director of clinical operations & quality, both of Central City Concern's Old Town Clinic.
* Innovation Award: Steve Hardenbergh, certified drug & alcohol counselor and licensed addiction counselor, Amy Hardy, nurse manager, and Meghan Hart, health educator, all of Central City Concern's Old Town Clinic; Kim Krichbaum, HealthLinks specialist, White Bird Clinic; Jennifer Micek, DO, provider, Umpqua Community Health Center.
* Leadership in Transformation Awards: Brenda Johnson, CEO, La Clinica; Brian Sandoval, primary care behavioral health manager, Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic.
* Sustainability Award: Lisa Bozzetti, dental director, Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center.
Honorees received their awards at OPCA's annual members meeting on April 25.
May 20, 2014
