R
LETTER FROM THE CEO • P.1
UPCOMING EVENTS • P.1
FRIENDLY FEEDBACK • P.2
GIVE KIDS A SMILE (GKAS) • P.3
BECOME AN ADVOCATE • P.3
SPOTLIGHT SERIES • P.4
LETTER FROM CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
SEFERINO M. MONTANO
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
La Casa’s previous newsletter was published before the
presidential election took place; and there was no way of
knowing which direction the elections would take. We now
know President Donald Trump is intent on repealing the
Affordable Care Act and replacing it with “something better”.
As I had mentioned in previous articles, the Affordable Care
Act was God sent to so many people because for the first
time in their lives, they were covered under an insurance
plan. I also said that the Affordable Care Act was not per-
fect and needed improvements. We do not know what it will
be replaced with, but we do know there are millions of peo-
ple who rely on the Affordable Care Act for their insurance
coverage. I do not think Congress would allow for abruptly
cancelling insurance coverage for millions of individuals
without first having something to replace it with.
I have the privilege of serving on the National Association of
Community Health Centers Board of Directors representing
Region VI (New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana &
Oklahoma) which will be meeting at the end of this month to
develop a strategy to address potential changes in our
health care delivery system. Community Health Centers
(including La Casa Family Health Center) serve as the
primary medical home for over 25 million people in 9,800
rural and urban communities across America. It is my
responsibility as your Chief Executive Officer to protect, pre-
serve and defend the services that are afforded to you via our
community health center clinics. I can proudly state that we
have had Health Center legislative support from both sides of
the aisle (Republicans & Democrats) in Congress and I contin-
ue to have faith that they will do what is right and just for all
Americans.
02
UPCOMING EVENTS
03 03
Cortnee Krallman, CNP
Clovis Clinic
575-769-0888
LA CASA
FAMILY HEALTH
CENTER
QUARTERLY
NEWSLETTER
I WOU LD LIKE TO C LOS E BY S TAT ING TH AT
WE ARE CURRENTLY ENGAGE D IN BUILDIN G
AN ADVOC ACY COALITION . (S EE PAGE 3).
THIS CO ALITION W I LL BE REP RE SE N T ATIVE
OF THE HEALTH CENTER ORG ANIZATIONS
SERVIN G THE 25 MILLIO N P ATI E N TS IN 9,8 00
RU R AL AND URBAN CO M M UN I TIES ACROSS
THE UNITED STATES.
I will be calling on you to help protect our clinics by serving as
an advocate. This means you would sign on as an advocate
and be available to send letters/emails as the need may arise
to our congressional leaders. We will have our staff available
to lead you through this process and have you registered as an
advocate for community health centers. As always, I view my
work as your Chief Executive Officer a privilege and pledge to
you that I will never lose sight of our mission which is to serve
anyone who walks into any of our clinics with emphasis on the
medically underserved. I ask you to keep La Casa Family
Health Center and all the other community health centers
across our great nation in your prayers.
VOL. 2 ISSUE 1
Winter 2017
FRI ENDL Y F EEDB AC K :
See what our patients are
saying.
AD V O C ACY CO AL IT ION :
Learn how YOU can support
community health centers!
CAL L POIN T E:
Automated appointment
reminders are now available!
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AT LCFHC?
I am a Family Nurse Practitioner at the Clovis clinic.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR PROFESSION?
I enjoy teaching my patients about the prevention of disease
and engaging them in their overall health and wellness.
WHO IS YOUR HERO AND WHY?
I have two: my parents! They have tirelessly sacrificed for
my siblings and me throughout the years, and they’re always
there when I need them. They are two of my clos-
est confidants and friends, and my biggest supporters!
WHEN YOU ARE NOT WORKING AT LCFHC WHERE MIGHT
WE FIND YOU?
Either on the couch with my husband and dog cheering on
the Seahawks, or in the mountains hiking, camping, and
enjoying the fresh air.
GIVE KIDS A SMILE:
February 10th: Clovis and Portales dental
clinics from 11 am– 4 pm. Please contact
575-356-5517 or 575-769-5021 to make an
appointment for your child.
February 17th: Roswell dental clinic from
11 am– 4 pm. Please contact 575-624-7207
to make an appointment for your child.
MY CHRONIC DISEASE:
March: My Chronic Disease classes begin.
Please contact 575-359-3764 for additional
information.
SCHOOL BASED DENTAL:
March: School based dental services offered
in Clovis and Roswell schools. Please contact
575-769-5021 or 575-624-7207 for additional
information.
Find us on
YouTube,
Facebook,
and
Instagram!
LCFHC MANAGEMENT &
BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRE-
PARED FOR 2017
LA CASA FAMILY
DENTISTRY
OFFERING FREE
DENTAL CARE
FOR GKAS
MARCH IS COLORECTAL
CANCER AWARENESS
MONTH
ACT NOW: SUPPORT COM-
MUNITY HEALTH CENTERS
La Casa Family Health Center’s Board of Direc-
tors and management team have prepared a
strategic plan for 2017. The plan provides direc-
tion for the organization and outlines measurable
goals. While we cannot predict the future, we can
make informed projections and anticipate, and be
ready for, challenges which may lie ahead.
The annual strategic planning was developed in
order to set priorities, strengthen operations, and
ensure that all stakeholders are working towards
common goals. Strategic planning involves plan-
ning for the entire organization versus individual
delivery sites. Therefore, broad areas such as
finance, marketing, and organizational develop-
ment have been reviewed to ensure the continued
delivery of high quality cost effective care.
Our senior leadership and board of directors are
invested in our organization and committed to
constant improvement strategies. For the strate-
gic process to succeed, all staff members in Clo-
vis, Portales, Roswell, and Hondo clinics will be
expected to carry out unique aspects of the plan.
It is important that our employees align with the
vision and mission of our organization. Therefore,
the implementation will not be placed on the
shoulders of a select few individuals, but rather
every employee within the organization.
We thank you for selecting La Casa Family Health
Center as your provider of choice and continuing
to trust us with your care as we enter a new calen-
dar year. We promise to continue to uphold the
aims and values of our organization in 2017.
THE GIVE KIDS A SM I LE PRO GRAM W AS L AUNCHED NATION ALLY IN 200 3 B Y THE AMERICAN
DE NT A L ASSOCIATI ON . TH IS YE AR M ARKS THE 15TH AN N IV ER S AR Y, A ND LA C AS A F AMIL Y
DE NTIS TR Y IS H ON ORED TO P AR TICIP ATE IN C LOVIS, P ORTALE S , AND ROSWE LL !
NEW TEXTING SERVICE
AVAILABLE TO PATIENTS
La Casa Family Health Center is now using an
automated calling system, Callpointe, to manage
patient appointment reminders. Prior to their
appointment, patients can now expect both a call
as well as a text message, to remind them of their
scheduled visit.
Our goal is to communicate more effectively with
our patients. We believe use of the automated
system will be a great improvement for our organi-
zation. This is a service which many of our pa-
tients have been requesting for quite some time,
and we are happy to be able to offer this new
technology. If at any time a patient no longer
wishes to receive these reminders via text, there
is an easy opt-out option. However, we hope
patients will appreciate this quick, friendly remind-
er, making it easier to coordinate and manage
their schedules leading up to their next visit.
Please note, standard message and data rates
may apply. Patients are asked to review their
information upon every visit to LCFHC in order to
ensure the most up-to-date contact information
remains on file.
La Casa Family Health Center is working alongside the ADA Foundation to improve access to healthcare and raise
awareness about the importance of oral health! Beginning in 2003, Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) is now a nationwide pro-
gram, made possible thanks to the ADA, Henry Schein, Procter & Gamble, and DEXIS. Give Kids A Smile was created
as a way to find dental homes for as many underserved children as possible.
At La Casa Family Health Center, we believe every child deserves access to oral health care. While our services are
available to everyone, the mission of our organization puts emphasis on the medically underserved in southeast New
Mexico. We accept Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance. LCFHC also offers a sliding fee scale to those who
qualify. Our outreach workers play a critical role in helping to break down the barriers to health care faced by low income
patients, uninsured, underinsured, and other individuals in need that come to La Casa Family Health Center.
Give Kids A Smile will be hosted on February 10th from 11 am– 4 pm in Clovis and Portales, and on February 17th from
11 am– 4 pm in Roswell. Children under the age of 18 will receive a free dental exam and cleaning! Parents are encour-
aged to make an appointment for their child as slots are first come first served.
F R I E N D L Y F E E D B A C K
If you are age 50 or older, ask your provid-
er at LCFHC about getting tested for colo-
rectal cancer. Colon cancer affects both
men and women; and most people who get
colon cancer have no family history of the
disease.
Some of the most common symptoms
include: blood in bowel movements, stom-
ach pain or cramping that does not go
away, sudden weight loss for an unex-
plained reason. These symptoms may be
caused by something other than cancer, so
it is important to discuss them with your
doctor.
Prevention should be the biggest reason
for getting tested. Before becoming can-
cer, a growth or polyp appears. Finding
and removing these polyps keep people
from getting diagnosed with colon cancer.
If you have the polyps removed, your
chances of developing cancer are small. If
cancer is found, it can still be beat with
early treatment. There are many ways to
get tested, so discuss with your doctor the
method which will be best for you.
If you’d like to learn more about colon can-
cer testing anonymously, contact The
American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-
2345. They provide answers and support
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
"Everyone at La Casa in Roswell has been very very helpful. The nurse Melanie and Dr. Shet were great. There was
no waiting and everyone was very polite!”.” - HELEN C.
"The dentist in Clovis is amazing! She has done wonders for my nephew!” - BRANDI M.
“I absolutely love the services here and the people are wonderful." -GLENDA B.
“I am so grateful for this procedure; Dr. P and her assistant were great. It is going to help me feel confident… now I
can smile again! God bless you both!”" - VIRGINIA A.
“When I first started coming to La Casa the whole staff made me feel right at home. Everyone was so respectful and
very professional. I got my new teeth today and they are beautiful! I love them and got my smile back. Thank you all
so much. I love you to the moon and back, Dr. Usher you are the best!” - PILAR H.
BELOW ARE RECENT TESTIMONIALS FROM ACTUAL LA CASA PATIENTS THROUGH-
OUT NEW MEXICO! WE ARE DETERMINED TO PROVIDE THE BEST QUALITY CARE
POSSIBLE; AND YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR GREATEST REWARD. IF YOU’VE HAD A
POSITIVE EXPERIENCE WITH US, PLEASE LET US KNOW!
As part of the Campaign for America’s
Health Centers, we are asking our
board, staff, patients, and partners to
commit to advocacy of behalf of com-
munity health centers!
As a community health center, our
doors are open to everyone. We be-
lieve access to primary and preventa-
tive healthcare services should be a
basic human right. La Casa Family
Health Center is a nonprofit organiza-
tion which is community governed, and
located in medically underserved areas
throughout New Mexico. These are all
things which set us apart from other
local medical providers. Community
health centers perform just as well if not
better than other healthcare providers
according to quality measures, and are
also more cost effective.
However, according to the National
Association of Community Health Cen-
ters, congress is planning to repeal
major provisions of the Affordable Care
Act and make significant changes to
Medicaid, all while they still need to
address a looming 70% cut to the
Health Centers Program before funding
expires September 30th.
It is for this reason that we ask you to
contact your members of Congress,
and ask them to support the work of La
Casa Family Health Center and com-
munity health centers across the United
States in 2017! Calls, emails, and posts
to social media are highly encouraged.
To take action today, become a health
center advocate! Visit:
www.saveourchcs.org/signup.cfm
Source: Campaign for America’s Health
Centers
