The patient portal is one of the most effective tools for increasing patient access to healthcare, while simultaneously increasing administrative efficiency and productivity. Despite the potential impact this tool may have on patient care, many health centers, especially FQHCs, struggle to effectively deploy patient portals because of multiple barriers faced in the uptake. These barriers not only impact patient utilization but also staff utilization. In this webinar, we will walk you through some of the solutions to overcome said barriers, so that patients and staff can benefit from the patient portal’s intended use.

As a result of attending this training, participants will learn how to:

• Overcome staff barriers related to patient portal utilization
• Market the patient portal and effectively use patient education to assist in implementation
• Manage the different phases of patient portal implementation

Complimentary Training for CCALAC Members & Affiliates

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Presented by Andrew Acosta, HCCN Project Specialist, CCALAC, Rachel Proud, Associate Director of Practice Transformation, CMA, Sandra Mendez, Director of Technology, Westside Family Health Center and Amanda Chakaroe, Technology Coordinator, Westside Family Health Center

Instructor Biographies:

Andrew Acosta, HCCN Project Specialist has over five years of professional experience in healthcare and Health IT/EHR implementation. Andrew holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Chicano Studies from Loyola Marymount University. As an HCCN Project Specialist at CCALAC, Andrew’s focus is to implement interventions that support initiatives on the HCCN project; Andrew is currently working on initiatives related to patient access, patient engagement, and data analysis on the project. He is passionate about making healthcare more accessible and equitable for all.

Rachel Proud, Sr. Practice Transformation Specialist with CMA has over nine years of experience working with community health centers, private practices, and hospitals to improve patient experience, clinical quality measures, and operational efficiency. As a Senior Practice Transformation Specialist, Rachel supports the team in meeting client goals and objectives. She is responsible for multiple ongoing projects and is a legislative and health policy subject matter expert. Rachel has expansive field experience, working with over 30 different health centers and small practices in Los Angeles County. She has a strong track record of achieving quality improvement, utilization management, and transformational results for the organizations she has supported. She also leads efforts to optimize EHR use and data reporting, engage patients and families, optimize transitions to community care settings after acute hospitalization, increase frequency of medication reconciliation, and improve patient medication education and management in all care settings.

Sandra Mendez is the Technology Director and has worked at Westside Family Health Center since June 2010. She is a 35-year veteran of community clinics with extensive experience in Family Planning, clinical operations and staff development. Prior to WFHC, she worked at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles and Planned Parenthood Santa Barbara. Her responsibilities are focused on larger project work for WFHC such as electronic health records, policies and procedures, risk management and safety, WFHC’s patient portal, the Federal Tort Claims Act and promoting Interoperability programs. She attended Willamette University and is passionate that Technology can engage, connect, and empower the patients at WFHC

Amanda Chakaroe is the Technology Coordinator at Westside Family Health Center and has focused on pushing Patient Portal and TeleHealth initiatives since joining the organization in 2018. She has assisted with the implementation of Westside’s TeleHealth program and growing the Patient Portal user population to nearly double its size. Amanda graduated from UC San Diego with a Bachelor’s in Public Health and is passionate about using technology as a means for patients to take control of their healthcare, by making it more accessible and closing the digital divide.