 | |  | Introducing Sarah Frazell Sarah Frazell is the Primary Care Coalition’s Director of Behavioral Health, a position she has held since 2018. Her memorable story about transitioning to that role with a shot glass of warm water closed out the organization’s 2019 Storytelling Show. Frazell has been with PCC since 2013, when she moved to the area from Athens, Georgia, with her then-boyfriend/now-husband Tyler, who was in grad school at the University of Georgia. She is originally from the Twin Cities in Minnesota, where her parents still live and where she went to graduate school to get her master’s in social work. She did her undergraduate studies in Iowa and spent a year in D.C. with Lutheran Volunteer Corps between college and graduate school. |
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|  | Montgomery Cares Outperforms Targets in Clinical Quality Measures The FY23 Annual Clinical Quality Measures Report for the Montgomery Cares (MCares) program contains good news. Data confirms that the program continues to provide quality healthcare to the community’s most vulnerable residents through its partner network of health centers. The program is a public-private partnership among 11 independent safety-net primary care clinics, six hospitals, the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, and the Primary Care Coalition (PCC), as well as volunteer health practitioners and other community-based organizations. Each year, PCC and the Quality Health Improvement Committee—medical directors and quality-related staff from MCares health centers—monitor the network quality using performance indicators related to hypertension, diabetes control, and cancer and depression screening. The Fiscal Year 2023 evaluation results are now available online in the Clinical Quality Measures Report . The all-clinic average was above the network’s HEDIS (Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set) targets for quality care in nearly all categories. That includes hypertension control, diabetes screening and control, and breast cancer screening. When analyzed by race, ethnicity, and sex, all categories outperformed the HEDIS benchmark in hypertension control, uncontrolled diabetes, and breast cancer screening. The report also pointed to marked improvements in colorectal cancer tests and hypertension control, although noted the need for improvements in cervical cancer testing rates and diabetes patient retinal exam rates. During the year, the clinics served 22,693 patients through 61,007 encounters. |
|  |  | The Power of a Potluck: What PCC Brings to the Table Annual potluck meals have long been part of the Primary Care Coalition (PCC) culture. Besides being delicious, they allow employees from diverse backgrounds to share favorite recipes, learn more about each other, and forge bonds. As of April 2024, these popular gatherings are officially a quarterly event, shaping in-person gatherings for our hybrid workforce in unconventional ways. “Our potlucks are a testament to what the Primary Care Coalition brings to the table, literally and figuratively,” said Stephanie Narayanan, PCC’s director of development and external relations. “We take a wide variety of dishes from around the world and create one fabulous meal. The rich diversity of thought, skills, experience, and talent that goes into these potluck meals also fuels our work to ensure that all of our neighbors have access to quality healthcare.” Nearly 40 employees participated in last month’s potluck, held on April 17. They shared a spread that included Armenian lavash (bread) with Korean carrot salad, sushi, spring rolls, kabobs, turkey and veggie pinwheels, and Middle Eastern salad. Among the desserts were cream cheese and guava pastries and flourless chocolate cake. |
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 | June 5, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Council District 6 Nonprofit Town Hall. Organizations providing services to residents of Council District 6 are invited to a Town Hall in Wheaton hosted by Nonprofit Montgomery, WorkSource Montgomery, and Councilmember Natali Fani-Gonzalez. Register here. June 6, 5-7 p.m., Pride Night Game Night, hosted by Independence Now at its Silver Spring location, 12301 Old Columbia Pike, Suite 101. Join Millennials Living Out Loud and Young Leaders Club for an evening out where you can practice your communication skills and make friends. Everyone is welcome. June 8, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Oakley Cabin Augmented Reality. Don’t miss the unveiling of the new way of experiencing the history of Oakley Cabin at the Oakley Cabin African American Museum and Park, 3610 Brookeville Rd., Olney, MD 20832. The free experience can be accessed through mobile devices in seven languages. June 13, 5-7 p.m., Pancake Party, cooking class hosted by Independence Now for youth with disabilities. The event will include a pancake bar and a presentation on how to adapt your kitchen and build cooking skills at 12301 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD, 20904. Register here. |
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| | Meet May's pets of the month: Ghost and Malcolm Meet Ghost and Malcom! The duo are the cats of PCCs Senior Program Manager of Provider Experience and Employee of the Year, Aisha Mason! They love keeping Aisha company when she works from home. Malcolm, the black cat and younger of the two, likes to take charge and often bosses around his older brother, Ghost. While they don't cuddle often, on the rare occasions they do, Aisha always makes sure to capture the moment with a photo. Dad joke via We The Parents. |
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