 | March 2025 | Issue No. 35 |
|  | Meet Juhi Morrison
Employee of the Year 2024 Juhi Morrison, a physician associate (assistant), has greatly impacted the Primary Care Coalition in her short time with the organization. She joined PCC in October 2023 and was named Employee of the Year for 2024. According to President and CEO Leslie Graham, “Juhi Morrison embodies the values of PCC. As a Physician Assistant with a remarkable talent for problem-solving, keen intelligence, clinical skills, and focus on quality improvement, Juhi has made a profound impact on the organization, our six hospitals, and our local government partners, ultimately improving the lives of the patients we serve.” As the director of programs for Nexus Montgomery, Morrison spends 80% of her time overseeing two programs – the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Alliance, which consists of 37 facilities in Montgomery County that work together to decrease readmissions to Nexus hospitals, and the Hard to Place Patients (HTPP) program, which reduces the time patients are stuck in the hospital after being cleared for discharge. |
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| | PCC Releases Report on 2024 Workforce Capacity Programming Find out more about the 148 people enrolled in training during 2024, employment outcomes so far, and the many community partners that make this Primary Care Coalition and Nexus Montgomery effort possible. |
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| | Katerini Stefanides – New Director Behavioral Health Strategy PCC is pleased to announce the appointment of Katerini Stefanides as Director of Behavioral Health. At the intersection of Nexus Montgomery and the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services, Katerini will serve as the change agent establishing and addressing priorities and challenges to improving behavioral health crisis systems in Montgomery County, with the goal of improving behavioral health crisis response and reducing inequities in care. "My role will be to help others by leading and working collaboratively with our partners to find innovative and creative solutions to the unique and challenging issues this community faces," according to Katerini. |
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|  | County Executive's Proposed FY26 Operating Budget Includes Additional Safety Net Support The Montgomery County Executive's Proposed FY26 Operating Budget, released March 14th, made key increases to support growing program utilization and address a growing gap between care costs and county subsidies. The proposal includes $963,300 toward a primary care reimbursement rate increase of ~$11.50/visit and an additional $1.2 million to support increased participation in Montgomery Cares and Care for Kids. |
| |  | Empower your child at PROMISE Summer Camp – See how the program can benefit children with special needs From weekly social skills support to fun activities and building relationships with peers, this program is led by trained University of Maryland students. |
|  | For more information click here or the above image. |
| |  | Welcome Back Aisha Aisha (Robinson) Mason is back! Our Senior Manager of Program Experience has been on leave welcoming the cutest new PCC-er, Jaylen. Congratulations, to Aisha and her husband, Anthony! |
|  | Meet March’s Pets of PCC: Lolyta, NaNa, and Fiji! Meet March’s Pets of PCC: Lolyta, NaNa, and Fiji! These adorable Yorkies are the beloved companions of Nelly Velazquez, PCC’s Senior Coordinator of Data Quality. Lolyta, the oldest and biggest of the three, is loving and protective—always keeping a watchful eye on her two little sisters. She enjoys long walks, especially in the spring and fall, and never turns down a chance to play with her favorite squeaky toys. NaNa, the teacup-size Yorkie, is shy, gentle, and incredibly affectionate. She rarely barks, instead using her expressive eyes to connect with those she trusts. Her favorite place is snuggled up in a cozy blanket, soaking in the quiet. Then there’s tiny Fiji—at just 2.3 pounds—she is the smallest, but she’s also the boldest! Independent and fearless, Fiji loves her veggies and never hesitates to play with the big dogs. Together, these three bring endless love, fun, and personality to their home. |
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 | Saturday, April 5, 1:00-2:00 p.m., How You Can Be a Dementia Friend, presented by Dementia Friends of Montgomery County as part of a global movement to change the way people think, act, and talk about dementia. Quince Orchard Library, 15831 Quince Orchard Rd., Gaithersburg, MD 20878. Saturday, April 5, 3:00-4:00 p.m., A Visit From Local Author Brian Myers, who will discuss his latest book: Hidden Histories of Montgomery County, Maryland. Rockville Memorial Library, 21 Maryland Ave., Rockville 20850. Monday, April 7, 6:00-7:00 p.m., Tertulia - Club de Conversación en Español, adults and older adults can practice Spanish language conversational skills every Monday at this same time, Chevy Chase Library, 8005 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase, 20815. Monday, April 7, 6:30-7:30 p.m., English Conversation Club – In person, for new English learners to practice their conversational skills in a relaxed setting every Monday at this time, Olney Library, 3500 Olney Laytonsville Rd., Olney, 20832. New members are always welcome. Wednesday, April 9, 9:30 a.m. – Healthcare Initiative Foundation Community Partner Network Meeting, via Zoom. Register here. Thursday, April 10-Sunday, September 21, The Butterfly Experience at Brookside Gardens. Visit a dazzling display of live butterflies in the South Conservatory House. Admission tickets must be purchased online, and prices are $14 or $9 for children ages 3-12 (free for those under 3). Advance purchase is recommended as tickets are limited. Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton-Glenmont, MD 20902. |
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