Axis Turned 52!
Take a walk down memory lane with us by viewing this short video made to commemorate our birthday:
Take a walk down memory lane with us by viewing this short video made to commemorate our birthday:
This month, the Axis clinic teams have been engaged in a friendly competition to see who could order the highest percentage of colorectal cancer screenings for patients who are overdue for testing. Between March 1 to March 23, the collective efforts yielded remarkable results- 234 out of 273 patients who had appointments and who were overdue for colorectal cancer screenings received orders for screenings. That is an impressive 85.7%! Additionally Axis has seen an 11% increase in colorectal cancer screening rates between 2022-2023. These scores are a testament to the effectiveness of the competition in action to improve patient outcomes.
In addition to the screenings ordered within the clinics, the outreach efforts have been equally successful. Through proactive outreach calls, Axis care teams placed an additional 117 orders for screenings so far. This demonstrates Axis’s holistic approach to healthcare delivery, where the Axis care teams are not only responsive to patients within the clinic walls but also actively engage in reaching out to those who might otherwise overlook or delay important screenings.
As part of the awareness and prevention campaign, on March 21, Axis staff were encouraged to wear blue in honor of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Staff were joined by Dustin, our Cologuard/Exact Sciences representative, who applauded Axis’s efforts in bringing awareness to this preventable disease.
Overall, the progress made during these clinic competitions exemplifies the power of teamwork in driving positive change to how we deliver healthcare to our patients. It highlights the pivotal role that Community Health Centers like Axis play in promoting preventive care and improving health outcomes for individuals within the community. Axis will continue to make strides in combating colorectal cancer and promoting overall wellness in our patient population through the dedication of our staff!
The journey from groundbreaking to where we stand today has been filled with much anticipation, and we are pleased to report that the renovations are still proceeding according to plan. The second floor of the building is truly taking shape!
Second street has successfully passed wall inspections and completed the drywall and insulation installations. Additionally, the second-floor ceiling is currently being closed, marking another significant milestone in our renovation journey. Despite encountering some minor rain delays, our work on the elevator shaft is also progressing.
We’re eagerly anticipating opening our Livermore clinic, which is projected for completion later this year. From dental care to mental health services, this clinic will offer a range of resources to support our community’s well-being.
This month, we celebrated all the strong, resilient, and diverse women in our lives!
Axis staff shared with us the female figures who inspired them to pursue a career in healthcare.
I always knew that I wanted to help people, but it was my aunt who really inspired me to go into the healthcare field. She worked as a nurse for many years and eventually went back to school to become a nutritionist. She would always keep pushing me to go into healthcare because she saw my passion for helping everyone around me and encouraged me to use that passion for good as she always did. I am so thankful for my aunt’s never-ending support and motivating me to keep working towards my goals of helping others and the community.
-Shelby Rovai, Clinic Manager
Dr. Christina Lee, my psychology professor, profoundly influenced my career choice in social work. Her patience and passion inspired me to seek a profession where I could make a meaningful impact on others’ lives and be just as fulfilled as she was. Under her guidance, I learned the importance of active listening, empowering individuals to be their own heroes, and witnessing the resilience of families as they persevere as a whole. Dr. Lee’s mentorship continues to shape my approach as I strive to create positive change in the world.
-Diana Calva Negrete, Information System Trainer
My first exposure to healthcare was through my aunt. She visited us in California when she would attend medical conferences. I was in awe of how she could do it all. Be a doctor, mother, wife, etc. She was so grounded, smart, and everyone in our family turned to her for medical advice. My inspiration to work in community health was through my mentor, Dr. Olayiwola, in medical school at UCSF. She showed me that as a family physician you can do more than patient care, and that using my voice for health equity is just as important! She really showed me the different facets of running a clinic that involve practice transformation and innovation!
-Dr. Sonali Sheth, Medical Director of Population Health
The female figure who inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare administration is my mom, Christina. She is a refractive surgery coordinator and has been working at the same ophthalmology practice for over 31 years. I’ve always admired her dedication to remaining committed to the practice, the patients, and her colleagues for the span of three decades. When I was in high school, I gained exposure to the work my mom does by spending time in her office after school. I enjoyed listening to conversations my mom and her coworkers would have about their day-to-day, and getting patients scheduled and prepped for surgery. I knew I wanted to be like my mom and do “something in healthcare” – I just didn’t know what that was at the time. As I progressed through college and my career my mom has always been by my side, encouraging me and supporting me to find my passion, which is working for Community Health Centers like Axis!
-Angelina Speltz, Senior Director of Quality Enhancement
Community Health Centers play a pivotal role in ensuring accessible, comprehensive, and culturally responsive healthcare for all individuals, including those in the LGBTQ+ community. At Axis Community Health, we understand the importance of creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels safe to seek care without fear of judgment or discrimination.
During LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week, we join the collective effort to shine a light on the health disparities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals. Our goal is to empower healthcare providers and community members to engage in open dialogue, share resources, and foster understanding. From the moment a patient walks through our doors, we prioritize their dignity and embrace their diversity.
At Axis, we offer a range of services, from internal medicine to dental care, all geared towards providing whole-person care that addresses both physical and psychological well-being. Our providers are trained to address the specific health disparities in our community, including those faced by LGBTQ+ people, such as higher rates of certain cancers, behavioral health issues, and viral diseases.
As we celebrate LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week, our commitment to promoting the health and well-being of all individuals remains unwavering. By working together to dismantle barriers, challenge stigma, and advocate for equitable healthcare, we strive to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
This month, I had the honor of attending the National Association of Community Health Center’s (NACHC) Policy and Issues forum in Washington, D.C. NACHC is the leading healthcare advocacy association that supports the vital work of Community Health Centers across our nation.
Throughout the conference, representatives from health centers from every state came together to listen to insights from federal partners and stakeholders, including leaders in community health nationwide. We were privileged to hear from Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, the White House’s Domestic Policy Director, Neera Tanden, and leaders from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, among others. A singular theme resonated throughout every presentation and discussion: Community Health Centers change lives. Health centers like Axis serve as the backbone of our country’s healthcare system, indispensable in driving forward health equity and primary care access.
On the final day of the conference, we headed to Capitol Hill, to meet face-to-face with our elected representatives. Alongside our Senior Director of Development and External Affairs, Victoria Tishman, I had the privilege of meeting with Congressman DeSaulnier and Congressman Swalwell (pictured below), advocating for health equity, primary care accessibility, workforce development, telehealth expansion, and the overall well-being of our community. We discussed the continued need for sustained bipartisan backing for health center funding. It was quite an experience to see thousands of Community Health Center leaders flood the halls of Congress, leveraging our collective “people power” to champion the needs of our communities.
Upon returning, I took a moment to reflect on the rich history and profound significance of the work we do at Community Health Centers. Since the inception of the Community Health Center movement nearly sixty years ago, borne out of the Civil Rights Movement and the War on Poverty, health centers have been at the forefront of driving transformative change to advance health equity. We believe that healthcare is a fundamental right for all, and we are the best, most resilient, diverse, and indispensable part of our nation’s healthcare delivery system.
-Liz
This is just a short list of the countless contributions Black Americans have made to improve public health at home and abroad. May we celebrate their accomplishments and influences all year long!
To view the presentation, click here.
Today, Axis Community Health joins our fellow health centers in honoring the heroes who have championed community health. For National Health Center Week’s Stakeholder Appreciation Day, we extend heartfelt gratitude to our local, state and federal policymakers, dedicated donors, and committed board for their ceaseless support.
Axis, standing at the forefront of delivering essential healthcare services in the Tri-Valley for the last 51 years, recognizes the immense impact that community health services have on populations challenged by poverty, housing instability, social disparities, and higher health concerns. We are motivated to continue extending quality, affordable, accessible, and compassionate health care to our community’s low-income and uninsured residents.
Thanks to the dedicated support of our stakeholders, we are thrilled to announce the inauguration of our new clinic on Second Street in Livermore, which will allow us to provide much-needed healthcare to an additional 5,600 patients annually.
In 2022 alone, our health centers made it possible for over 14,000 Tri-Valley residents to receive critical care, resulting in more than 108,000 visits. The array of services include medical care, behavioral health care, dental care, the WIC Nutrition Program, and enrollment assistance. At Axis, we are committed to breaking through barriers of income, insurance coverage, race, ethnicity, and language to ensure everyone receives the care they need.
Axis Community Health will continue to be an integral part of the health care infrastructure in the Tri-Valley, dedicated to identifying and addressing health disparities within our community. We pledge to keep expanding our reach, improving our services, and adding new locations to provide as many residents as possible with affordable, compassionate, and accessible healthcare.
Once again, on this Stakeholder Appreciation Day, we say “Thank You!” to all who have stood by us in our mission, advocating for health equity and the well-being of the most vulnerable among us.
Axis Community Health, a leading provider of quality, affordable healthcare, is thrilled to announce the groundbreaking of its new clinic site on 2nd Street in Livermore. The new clinic site marks a major milestone for Axis Community Health, as it will provide crucial healthcare resources for the community. With all existing Axis sites operating at full capacity, including the Pleasanton clinic opened in 2016, the demand for accessible healthcare in the Tri-Valley region continues to grow. The waiting list for the Dublin dental clinic alone exceeds 1,200 individuals. The new site addresses this urgent need by significantly expanding services and capacity.
The state-of-the-art facility will accommodate 20,000 visits annually for approximately 5,600 patients. It will feature six dental operatories, six examination rooms, and dedicated offices for behavioral health services. The expanded clinic will enable Axis Community Health to provide comprehensive healthcare to even more individuals, improving the overall well-being of the Tri-Valley community.
“We are incredibly excited to begin renovations on our new clinic site in Livermore,” said Liz Perez-Howe, CEO of Axis Community Health. “This expansion represents our commitment to meeting the growing healthcare needs of Tri-Valley residents. We are grateful for the community’s continued support and look forward to providing high-quality care to even more individuals.
This event will formally kick off the capital campaign for the facility to raise the $1.3M in support needed to complete the project.
This community has been incredibly supportive of the work of Axis Community Health to bring the highest quality, patient-centered care to all residents of the Tri-Valley regardless of their ability to pay. This new facility is vital to meeting our residents’ needs, and our goal is to rally support to have this clinic open for services by the summer of 2024.”
The groundbreaking ceremony will feature notable speakers, including Axis CEO Liz Perez-Howe, Axis board chair James Paxson, Livermore Mayor John Marchand, Dublin Mayor Melissa Hernandez, Pleasanton Mayor Karla Brown, and Supervisor David Haubert. Their presence at the event underscores the significance of this new clinic site and its impact on the Tri-Valley community.
Axis is offering assistance to Medi-Cal beneficiaries during the current redetermination process. Information that may need updating include income verification, household, and contact information. Axis has been informing patients and the community at-large on the redetermination process through media outlets, social media, and tabling events in the Tri-Valley.
Axis urges patients currently enrolled into Medi-Cal to respond quickly to notices they may receive about maintaining their coverage status. Those who do not complete the redetermination process may risk losing health care coverage. “At Axis, we want to make sure you and your family’s healthcare needs are covered,” said Axis CEO Liz Perez-Howe. “It is so important that we ensure that our patients and the Tri-Valley community are aware of this change. Whether you are new to Medi-Cal or joined many years ago, Axis is here to help.”
For more information visit: https://axishealth.org/become-a-patient
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