What’s
Up
NEWSLETTER
Director’s Message
OCTOBER 2023
Peer-to-Peer
Antonio Bejarano
Dear OC Health Care Agency
"I'm proud to know that the work we do in the OC Public Health Laboratory
(HCA) Team,
(PHL) is of high value and I enjoy having a job that involves working with infectious diseases," said Peer-to-Peer recipient Antonio Bejarano, Public
Even though we’re entering the
Health Microbiologist II. He explained, "Our work identifies the cause of
final quarter of 2023, not to
disease, guides patient care, helps prevent the spread of disease, deter-
mention the upcoming holidays
mines if there are potential outbreaks in the community, gets us closer to
and the end of the year, the
eliminating certain diseases, and determines if the water quality throughout
work we do is hardly slowing
Orange County (OC) is safe for public use whether potable or recreational.”
down! I am so proud of your efforts and dedication and am
Antonio is the technical lead in the Mycobacteriology
pleased to say “well done” to so
Department. His role includes troubleshooting difficult
many in the HCA.
cultures or instruments, quality control, validating new test methods, and training Public Health
Our Mental Health and Recovery
Microbiologists I (PHM I) and lab assistants.
Services (MHRS) team has
“I offer guidance to PHM I and lab assistants
been working non-stop since
when they have questions. I enjoy days
September of last year to stand
where the lab assistants, microbiologists,
up the CARE Act (Community
and the supervisor of the department —
Assistance, Recovery and
which includes Parasitology, Mycology, and
Empowerment). The CARE Act is
Mycobacteriology — have made it through
a new framework to get people
a busy day feeling a sense of accomplish-
the support and care they need.
ment as contributing team members.”
. . . continued on page 2
Before coming to the OC Health Care Agency (HCA), Antonio worked as a Chemistry Lab Technician for a company that
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tested new formulas of its pet treat products. The work included . . . continued on page 2