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CENCAL HEALTH NEWS
CenCal Health NEWS HUB: Welcome Back to Care: Local Providers Join CenCal Health in Advancing Public Health Message
Decrease in Immunizations, Cancer Screenings, Annual Physicals Seen on Central Coast Due to COVID Concerns
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This fall, top health professionals on the Central Coast joined CenCal Health, the local Medi-Cal health plan, in encouraging the public to return to their doctors, clinics and hospitals for vital health care services, especially immunizations, cancer screenings and other preventive care evaluations. A bilingual public awareness campaign began in September to persuade Central Coast residents to go back to regular medical care – care that has slowed up to 50% in some service categories since the national health emergency was declared in March. Disruptions occurred in routine preventive and other non-emergency care due to stay-at-home orders to reduce the spread of COVID-19, and public fear of coronavirus contagion. “Now that we know more about preventing the spread, it’s time to welcome you back to care,” says Van Do-Reynoso, Ph.D., Director of Santa Barbara County Public Health Department in a new TV commercial produced by CenCal Health, airing in English and Spanish on local stations across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. Other prominent participants in the public health message include Charles Fenzi, MD, CEO of Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics, Rocio Rodriguez Valencia, MD, of Community Health Centers of the Central Coast (CHC), and Sue Andersen, president and CEO of Marian Regional Medical Center.
In the “Welcome Back to Care” TV spots, local medical professionals emphasize the safety of patients returning to care, outlining examples of protocols put in place in addition to mask wearing, temperature readings and disinfecting facilities. Central Coast medical staff are implementing measures like “turning cars into waiting rooms,” says Santa Maria pediatrician Robert Barry, MD, “and reducing the number of patients in our office at the same time,” offers Melvin Lopez, MD, of Marian Community Clinics. Paul Hennig, MD, Chief Medical Officer & Family Physician for American Indian Health & Services, states that they are “offering telemedicine, so some visits can be held through your smartphone.”
According to the California Department of Public Health, vaccinations for children decreased by more than 40% in April 2020 compared to the same month the previous year. For March through May of this year, CenCal Health evaluated utilization trends among its members and found a 34% decrease in immunizations for adolescents in Santa Barbara County. The health plan also discovered a 50% decrease in cervical cancer screenings (ages 21-64) in Santa Barbara County, with a 40% decrease in the same category in San Luis Obispo County. There was a 35% decrease in preventive medicine evaluations (such as annual physicals) for adults in Santa Barbara County, and a 31% decrease in San Luis Obispo County.
“An advantage of a publicly-sponsored health plan is that it works for the betterment of the community,” said Bob Freeman, CEO of CenCal Health. “We saw the opportunity to help by letting the public know of the many steps physicians and other providers are taking to provide care safely. It’s also important to encourage those who have lost their health insurance to explore their potential eligibility for Medi-Cal. Every one of the providers in our video serve Medi-Cal patients.”
Other providers featured in the “Welcome Back to Care” TV campaign are Angela Halusic, MD, with FCPP Women’s Health; Richard Macias, MD, of Central Coast Pediatrics; Bryce Holderness, MD, with Sansum Clinic; Shaun Ehsani, MD, family physician with Jackson Medical Group; and Laura Lopez, phlebotomy technician at Quest Diagnostics. The public service announcement ends with the message “if you have lost your health insurance you may qualify for free coverage,” and offers a URL to learn more about applying for Medi-Cal.
CenCal Health partners with over 1,500 local physicians, hospitals, and other providers in delivering patient care to nearly 190,000 members in two counties – about one in four residents of Santa Barbara County and one in five residents of San Luis Obispo County. Established in 1983, it is the oldest managed care Medicaid plan of its kind in the nation.
For more information and to view the commercial, visit cencalhealth.org.
An uncommon coalition of healthcare and education partners from across the county is joining forces to launch MASKED AND MIGHTY, a campaign to save lives, reduce the transmission of COVID-19, reopen more businesses and schools, and maintain access to vital healthcare.
“We want to reach our communities with a positive, non-political message that will engage all parts of our county to work together on stopping COVID-19 in its tracks,” said Dr. Peggy Dodds, Deputy Health Officer, Santa Barbara County Public Health Department and retired pediatrician. “In addition to avoiding
gatherings with people outside of your household, residents should practice good hygiene and observe social distancing of at least six feet.”
Geared for audiences of all ages and translated into English and Spanish, the MASKED AND MIGHTY campaign uses local imagery and people to engage all communities with messages about the importance of MASKS, and the MIGHTY powers that physical distancing, good hygiene and other preventions can have to prevent community spread of the virus.
Components of the MASKED AND MIGHTY campaign include:
• Website in English at maskedandmighty.org and Spanish at enmascaradoypoderoso.org
• Paid advertising will run county-wide in print, radio, digital and outdoor outlets.
• Lighting Display to “POWER UP SANTA
BARBARA COUNTY” from October 26 to
November 7, partners will come together to power up landmark buildings across the county with bright, multi-colored lights to demonstrate commitment to adhering to safety precautions to reduce transmission of
COVID-19. The lighting display is a fun, safe alternative to Halloween trick-or-treating. Any business or resident can participate or share images on social media with the hashtag #maskedandmighty. The MASKED AND
MIGHTY website lists some stores that stock colored light bulbs.
• Community video project to create a series of short videos in English and Spanish to encourage residents to follow safety guidelines to reduce the infection rate.
Members of the public will be encouraged to create and share their own messages about why they are MASKED AND MIGHTY. The website includes examples and tips to help the public create their own message. The Santa Barbara County Promotores Network is engaging the Spanish and Mixtec speaking communities.
• County Board of Supervisors Resolution recognizing the “MASKED AND MIGHTY” countywide approach to improving health and the economy.
• Discussion Guide for Teachers to lead conversations with students about the best ways to protect against COVID-19. The guide is available on the MASKED AND MIGHTY website.
• Coloring pages for artists of all ages to share their artwork on the campaign’s social media accounts.
• Social media: Facebook (www.facebook.com/maskedandmighty),
Instagram (www.instagram.com/masked_ and_mighty_coalition), Custom Hashtag: #maskedandmighty
MASKED AND MIGHTY
Coalition members include County of Santa Barbara, Sansum Clinic, Cottage Health, CenCal Health, Central Coast Medical Association, Lompoc Valley Medical Center, Lompoc Valley Pediatric Care Center, Marian Regional Medical Center, Santa Barbara City College, Santa Barbara County Promotores Network, Santa Barbara Neighborhood Clinics, Santa Barbara County Education Office, and School Districts throughout Santa Barbara County, UC Santa Barbara, and Westmont College.
Annual Membership Celebration 2020
THE 2020 VIRTUAL ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP CELEBRATION WAS A ROUSING SUCCESS! You can view it at www.ccmahealth.org
Physicians of the Year
Chosen by their peers, the Physician of the Year is an honor bestowed to those who have gone above and beyond. Despite being the first pandemic in a century, two individuals rose to meet the challenges and have truly shown us all what it means to be a leader. They have been unwavering in their defense of science and facts. >>
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY • Henning Ansorg, MD
We were thrilled to recognize our local Public Health Officers, Drs. Henning Ansorg and Penny Borenstein as our 2020 Physicians of the Year. We reached out to local leaders asking if they would be willing to share a message about our honorees, and the response was overwhelming. You can watch their videos at www.ccmahealth.org.
Wine Tasting
Grassini Family Vineyards led an interactive virtual wine tasting with three of their specialty wines: 2019 Happy Canyon Sauvignon Blanc, 2017 Articondo Proprietary Red, and 2017 Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. To purchase these or other wines, go to www.grassinifamilyvineyards.com.
Program
Attendees were welcomed by CEO, Dana Goba; President Kevin Casey, MD, provided his remarks on the year and welcomed the incoming Board of Directors; and 2021 president, Priti Gagneja, MD, thanked Dr. Casey for his service. The highlight of the program was honoring our Physicians of the Year Drs. Henning Ansorg and Penny Borenstein.
Bingo
After the program, president Kevin Casey, MD, led an exciting game of bingo. Prizes were gift certificates to local companies: Cowboy Cookie & Ice Cream, House of Bread, Jessica Foster Confections, and Santa Barbara Pistachios. Congratulations to our winners!
Sponsors
Thank you to our event sponsors!
Feel More Empowered in Just 30 Minutes
Struggling to find balance in your work and personal life amid the pandemic?
Frustrated, angry or anxious that public health guidelines are ignored while COVID-19 remains prevalent?
Experiencing racial or social injustice?
Worried about your financial stability?
Feeling burned out, unable to sleep or wishing you could just talk to someone who understands?
Did you have an emotional response as you read these questions?
It’s okay. CMA Wellness understands.
The California Medical Association’s wellness initiative (CMA Wellness) supports the well-being of the state’s health care workers with free and confidential peer coaching. Through Care 4 Caregivers Now (C4CN), clinicians will:
Partner with a trained peer coach for free and confidential virtual sessions (via Zoom) that are held weekly for 30 minutes (no mandated reporting requirement) Receive emotional support to feel calmer, more focused and in control Find clarity and peace to better plan for the future
Our trained coaches are fellow clinicians who understand the rigors and emotional stresses of the profession and know the value of a safe, confidential and non-judgmental space. Coaching is available for physicians (M.D. and D.O.), physician assistants, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, certified respiratory therapists, registered respiratory therapists, residents/fellows, medical students, public health officers and medical reserve corps volunteers.
