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Health Insights Posts

July is National UV Safety Month

by Daniel Vaillancourt

The Vital Role of UV Protection

Summertime in the Southland means fun in the sun. But shielding your skin from harmful UV rays is paramount.

Words by Maggie Downs

 

Life in Southern California has its perks: picturesque landscapes, clear skies, and an abundance of sunshine. Unfortunately, the relentless sun also brings an invisible threat — ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

Protecting your skin from UV rays is crucial, not just for maintaining youthful looks, but for safeguarding your health. By embracing a multifaceted approach to sun safety, you can enjoy the outdoors while minimizing your risk of skin damage and cancer.

Did you know July is National UV Safety Month — a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services initiative whose goal is to raise awareness about the dangers of UV rays to the skin and eyes? This issue is especially important for all of us living in Southern California. So please, read on…

 

The Perils of UV Radiation

UV radiation, primarily from the sun, consists of UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays penetrate deeply into the skin, causing premature aging and wrinkles. UVB rays, on the other hand, are responsible for sunburn.

Both types can damage the DNA in skin cells, potentially leading to skin cancer. Our sun-drenched climate means increased exposure, making UV protection a daily necessity, says Dr. Silas Gyimah, associate chief medical officer at DAP Health.

 

Sunscreen: Your First Line of Defense

Sunscreen is a vital tool in your UV protection arsenal. Dr. Gyimah recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 50, reapplied every two hours, or more often if swimming or sweating.

Broad-spectrum sunscreens shield your skin from both UVA and UVB rays, providing comprehensive protection. It’s important to apply sunscreen to all exposed skin, including often-missed areas like the ears, back of the neck, and tops of the feet.

Parenting an infant? Sunscreen should be avoided in children younger than six months, says Dr. Gyimah, but alternate methods of protection — like dressing the baby in loose clothing that covers the skin, and staying in the shade — will suffice.

 

Sun Protection for All Skin Tones

A common misconception is that people with darker skin tones don’t need sun protection, which is dangerously misleading, says Dr. Gyimah. While it’s true that higher levels of melanin in darker skin provide some natural protection against UV radiation, it is not sufficient to prevent UV damage.

“Because of that mindset, we tend to see a lot of skin cancers in Black folks more than other populations,” he says. “Everyone should be going through the basic protection mechanisms from the sun.”

Also note that there are special formulations of broad-spectrum sunscreen especially made for those with darker skin. Meaning, the product won’t leave a white residue.

 

Comprehensive UV Protection Strategies

While sunscreen is essential, it shouldn’t be your only line of defense. To fully safeguard your skin, combine several UV protection strategies. Seek shade during peak sun hours — typically between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. — when the sun’s rays are the strongest. And use UV-blocking window film or shades in your home and car to reduce indoor UV exposure.

Wearing protective clothing — such as long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses — can also significantly reduce your exposure. Many outdoor enthusiasts in Southern California opt for clothing specifically designed with built-in UV protection.

“Keep in mind that protection is necessary even on overcast days and indoors,” says Dr. Gyimah. “Any protection is better than none.”

 

The Role of Regular Skin Checks

In addition to preventive measures, regular skin checks are crucial. Perform monthly self-examinations to look for new or changing moles or spots, talk to your doctor about any concerns, and schedule annual skin exams with a dermatologist.

Early detection of skin changes can significantly improve the prognosis if skin cancer does develop.

Have a happy — and safe — sunny summer!

TMVII: A New Sexually Transmitted Fungus

by suelowe

TMVII is a New Sexually Transmitted Fungus

 

Trichophyton Mentagrophytes Type VII (TMVII for short) is in the news, and you may have heard about it. It’s a rare fungus that causes a treatable rash on the skin. It was recently found in the U.S. for the first time. The patient is a male New Yorker in his 30s who traveled to California, England, and Greece, where he had sex with men.

He developed a red, itchy rash on his genitals, legs, and buttocks. Despite multiple oral antifungal treatments, it took more than four months for the rash to heal completely.

No one yet knows how TMVII will develop in this country. In France, 13 cases were reported last year, 12 of them in men who have sex with men.

For now, there is no need to panic. But there is a need for vigilance.

Since TMVII is spread through skin-to-skin contact, including during sex, it’s technically a sexually transmitted infection. And while the sole case in the U.S. has been in a man, the fungus can affect a person of any gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Stay informed, be aware, and know that seeing a doctor who can report the incidence helps with statistical data and research.

Also know that we are still seeing sporadic mpox cases, and that that poses a higher risk, especially for those who are immunocompromised. Please ensure you are fully vaccinated.

At DAP Health, we believe that good sex is good. Sex is healthy. Shame-and-stigma-free. Live your best sex life by going for regular STI testing, and learning about prevention measures such as DoxyPEP or DoxyPrEP for STI prevention, and PrEP or PEP for HIV prevention. If you’re HIV-positive, stay on your meds. Undetectable = Untransmittable.

 

More About TMVII

If you develop a new rash, please visit one of DAP Health’s three sexual wellness clinics (in Palm Springs, Cathedral City, or Indio), where our experts can see, diagnose, and treat you.

 

Symptoms

  • Appearance: TMVII infections typically present as red, itchy, and scaly rashes. The rashes often appear in ring-like patterns, which is characteristic of ringworm infections.
  • Affected Areas: Commonly affected areas include the groin, legs, buttocks, and other body parts. The rash can expand and may become more pronounced if left untreated.
  • Additional Symptoms: In some cases, the affected skin may blister, crack, or ooze. The infection can cause significant discomfort and may impact the quality of life due to persistent itching and irritation​.

Transmission

  • Direct Contact: TMVII is primarily transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected individual. This can happen during close physical activities, including sexual contact.
  • Indirect Contact: The fungus can also spread through contact with contaminated objects such as towels, clothing, bedding, and surfaces.
  • Zoonotic Transmission: TMVII can be transmitted from animals to humans, particularly from pets like dogs and cats that may harbor the fungus​.

Prevention

  • Personal Hygiene: Maintaining good personal hygiene is crucial. Regularly washing and thoroughly drying the skin, especially after sweating or bathing, helps prevent fungal infections.
  • Avoiding Shared Items: Avoid sharing personal items like towels, clothing, and grooming tools with others.
  • Pet Care: Ensure pets are free from fungal infections by having them regularly checked by a veterinarian and treating any infections promptly.
  • Prompt Treatment: Treating fungal infections promptly in both humans and animals can prevent the spread of the fungus to others​.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical Examination: Clinicians typically diagnose TMVII through a clinical examination of the affected skin. The characteristic appearance of the rash often provides initial clues.
  • Laboratory Tests: Confirmation is done via laboratory tests, including:
    • Microscopic Examination: Skin scrapings from the affected area are examined under a microscope to detect fungal elements.

Treatment

  • Topical Antifungals: For mild infections, topical antifungal creams, lotions, or powders containing terbinafine, clotrimazole, or miconazole are often prescribed.
  • Oral Antifungals: In more severe or resistant cases, oral antifungal medications such as terbinafine, itraconazole, or fluconazole may be required. These medications have been effective, though resistance can complicate treatment​.
  • Combination Therapy: Combining topical and oral treatments may be necessary for persistent infections. Monitoring for side effects and interactions with other medications is important, especially with drugs like itraconazole, which can have significant side effects​.

Research and Future Directions

  • Ongoing research aims to better understand the genetic mutations that confer resistance to common antifungal treatments. International collaboration is crucial for tracking and managing the spread of TMVII and similar resistant strains​.

In the News:

What to know about rare sexually transmitted fungal infection TMVII via the Desert Sun

 

Meet DAP Health Chief Administrative Off …

by suelowe

Good With Money … and Mission

For Chief Administrative Officer Judy Stith, kindness matters as much as numbers.

Words by Kay Kudukis

 

Caldwell, Texas, population 4,000, is where Judy Stith (née Mize) was born, but didn’t stay. First stop was Wichita Falls, Texas, then Tulsa, Oklahoma, until the family found home in Fort Worth, Texas.

Dad was a jeweler who’d taken a steadier, higher-paying job as manager at a cafeteria. Mom was a nurse. Stith likens her to John Nash, the subject of the film “A Beautiful Mind.” “She lived here,” Stith says, pointing to her head. She did not live in their reality.

Her parents divorced when Stith was six, maybe seven. Dad got custody. The oldest boy-twin got a job to help with finances. There were five kids altogether: that twin’s sister, another sister, and their baby brother. Donnie & Marie, and Sonny & Cher, were Stith’s first two concerts, but her tastes would change.

When algebra is mentioned, Stith practically recoils, but she weathered it anyway because it’s a nursing requirement, and she was going to be a nurse like her mom and sister. She was 16 when she began a work-study program and got certified, then staffed, as a phlebotomist at the local blood center. When she graduated high school, she began taking nursing classes at University of Texas Arlington (UTA), then finally took some practical, hands-on, nitty-gritty nursing courses. That’s when she decided nursing wasn’t for her. No touching of things that made her go “Ew!”

 

Finding Love, if Not Career

Stith was still contemplating what career could match her humanitarian instincts when, at 19, she said “yes” to the airman she’d met while babysitting her friend’s toddler. Everything was going great except for that elusive career. She took random jobs, and while cashiering at a convenience store, got robbed. They took some money and took some snacks. Stith took another job.

Stith applied for a receptionist position at an accounting firm, which required everyone take an aptitude test. “I didn’t get that job,” she says, “but they hired me to do bookkeeping, bank reconciliations, and journal entries, and I liked it.”

It may sound odd that someone who despised algebra might enjoy a math-centric job, but Stith says, “I do money. I always put it into money, and it makes sense that way. It’s not quite the same as math.”

Accounting, she found, fit that criteria, and she began classes at UTA. She recalls a professor, for the first half of a very advanced course, who enjoyed humiliating his students. “The class was hard, and he would call you out. I worked full-time, but I did my homework. I was never unprepared.” Still, his class was brutal, but you learned.

 

The Joys of Parenthood

Baby boy Brian came along six years into Stith’s marriage, and five years later, baby boy Ben joined the world. He was just a year old when her husband got laid off from his airplane mechanic job. He got another one at U.S. Airways in Dayton, Ohio, and they moved to Cincinnati, where his family lived.

Stith took a full-time job as the Dayton YMCA’s finance director, and transferred to Wright State University School of Business. “And guess who had joined the faculty?” She shakes her head and laughs. “I had him for the second half of that advanced class.” But because of her past experience with Professor Humiliation, plus her real-life experience, she became her classmates’ go-to for help.

Quick recap: She’s married with two kids, working full-time at a nonprofit, going to school for her degree in accounting, and she still manages to find time to help her college colleagues.

Stith was so laser focused on getting her CPA, she had Brian, 12, hold her homemade flash cards to help her study for the grueling 16-hour test. “He could probably still tell you the formula for how to calculate the gain on the sale of a residence,” she says with a laugh.

In 1996 she had baby girl, Rebecca. A year later, the family of five moved to Arizona, where she had been tapped as CFO at Valley of the Sun YMCA, staying four years.

 

Finding Love: Part Two … Plus DAP Health

Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) contracted her to write their policy and procedure manual. When she was done, they wanted her to stay on as vice president. “I liked the people, I liked the culture,” so she stayed for 12 years. When she left, she did some consulting, then spent three years as controller at Goodwill before being offered the CFO position at Horizon Health and Wellness, an FQHC in Arizona.

She was divorced now, and in those 10 years had met David. He was in the food industry. She fell in love, and they married and honeymooned in Napa Valley. He taught her how to enjoy fine wine, and the former rocker was also starting to enjoy his country music. Everything was going great.

Horizon was considering her for their CEO position, and her big sister (her rock) and baby brother had moved closer. What more could Stith want? Then a recruiter called her up and told her about the CFO position at DAP. He was so high on the organization she figured it deserved a peek.

“You’re taking the tour, hearing everything CEO David Brinkman has to say, and what he has to offer, and you think, ‘I want to work here!’ I mean, you just get so hyped up on it,” Stith recalls.

She’s been the CFO since 2019, and post-acquisition, was tapped as chief administrative officer. They’re looking for a replacement CFO, but it’s not easy finding candidates with the same dedication to the mission as the rest of the team. “The passion of this agency for the people they serve in the community they live in is just … there’s not a mean bone in anyone’s body.”

That’s why Stith stays. “I’ve always said, if there’s anything you can be, be kind, and the people at DAP Health just exude kindness. They treat their patients with dignity and with respect. And that’s so, so important.”

Professor Humiliation need not apply.

Pride-Themed Podcast Features Our Very O …

by Daniel Vaillancourt

DAP Health's Director of Gender Health & Wellness Mita Beach Shines in IEHP iHeart Media Pride-Themed Podcast

 

The latest episode of the IEHP podcast “Covering Your Health” launched on iHeart Media this morning. In celebration of Pride month, host Evelyn Erives sat down with DAP Health’s Director of Gender Health & Wellness Mita Beach. Together, they delved into the unique challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community when it comes to health and wellness. From mental health support to inclusive health care practices, Mita shared valuable insights and strategies for promoting well-being, including how to best be an ally. “Educate yourself,” urged Mita. “Ally is a verb.”

 

Click here to listen to the Pride-themed episode.

 

To learn more about DAP Health’s Gender Health & Wellness programs, click here.

 

For more on Mita, please read below.

 

Mita Beach, LBBP, is the director of Gender Health & Wellness at DAP Health. In this role, Mita is leading the strategic development and implementation of health and wraparound services for trans and gender-diverse patients.

With an impressive background that includes serving as the manager of Gender Health & Wellness at DAP Health, Mita has a proven track record of enhancing program development and delivering comprehensive health services. Their experience extends to working as a trans health navigator at Borrego Health, where they conducted patient assessments and facilitated support groups.

Mita brings over 20 years of corporate leadership experience and 15 years of consulting expertise in LGBTQ+ rights, sexual health, and sexuality education. They have designed and facilitated numerous workshops across various sectors, demonstrating a commitment to fostering inclusive and supportive environments. 

Mita is an active member of several professional organizations, including the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), the Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Loss (AMPHL), the National Association of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Addiction Professionals and Their Allies (NALGAP), and the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF).

Why Self-Esteem and Pride Are Good for Y …

by Daniel Vaillancourt

Why Self-Esteem and Pride Are Good for Your Health

Self-love isn't just for Pride month, or just for LGBTQ+ people. Everyone can benefit!

Words by Trey Burnette

 

The Pride Month of June (celebrated most everywhere but in the Coachella Valley, which honors it when the heat is less intense, in November) is important for many reasons. It’s not just a time for celebrating openly en masse at parades throughout the world. It’s also an opportunity to look inward, reaffirm we are worthy, and get a boost of self-esteem.

 

LGBTQ+ people start our lives with a secret we’re not entirely conscious of, knowing something about us is different. We don’t name it because we’re usually too young to comprehend it, and somehow know to keep it to ourselves when we do figure it out.

 

We often conclude our secret is shameful and dangerous, and surmise we ourselves are shameful, learning to survive by bargaining, justifying, and making ourselves smaller. We carry our secret and shame until it almost breaks us.

 

It's About More Than Coming Out

Most of us eventually come out proudly, yet still strain to love and take care of ourselves in healthy ways because the falsehoods about who we are stay ingrained in our core. We’re told to have healthy self-esteem after being taught to have shame, but don’t know why or how we are supposed to achieve that.

 

Every LGBTQ+ person — actually, every person, period — deserves to have pride. It’s important because pride leads to good physical and mental health. “Self-esteem is at the core of psychological health,” says Jill Grover, PhD, the clinical supervisor of DAP Health’s Behavioral Health Internship program. “People with high self-esteem and self-compassion believe they are worthwhile, capable of helping themselves, and optimistic about the future.” These beliefs lead people to know they’re worthy of self-care and fulfilling their needs, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity.  

 

To raise self-esteem, we have to work through and release shame. “Learning to refute and reject old, inaccurate, negative messages from childhood [and society],” Dr. Gover says, “is essential in forming a healthy self-concept.”

 

First, we must examine those sources of shame, guilt, and negativity we were taught, and then establish our own standard of values based on what we deem healthy, equitable, and just. Part of that process is letting go of good or bad judgment and adapting the “this is what I need and what is healthy for me” model of living. We also need to learn to forgive ourselves and move forward when we act on choices that are not the healthiest.

 

The Five Essential Elements

Moving forward, we can gain a better and healthier sense of security, identity, belonging, purpose, and personal competency. These five essential elements of pride and self-esteem lead us to a greater understanding of who we are, and help us express ourselves in healthier ways and have richer interpersonal relationships. “When we are inclusive and welcoming, inviting others to join us, we are creating a sense of belonging,” Dr. Gover says. “When we share with others our goals, dreams, and values, we build a sense of purpose.”

 

By being honest and consistent — and expecting that from others — we build trust and security. And by working toward our goals and trying new things, we learn personal competency. Our ability to make healthier choices strengthens, and we learn we can be visible, proud, and expressive. We can join that hiking group or take that art class.

 

Oscar Wilde said, “To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance,” and having pride is a way for all people to love and care for themselves and every other member of the diverse communities they live within and among. During Pride Month, and all year long, practice the art of self-love, whether you’re a member of the LGBTQ+ community or not. The world will be better for it.

Meet DAP Health Chief People and Places …

by Daniel Vaillancourt

To Fly, You Need to Take the Reins

As an avid equestrian, DAP Health Chief People and Places Officer Sheri Saenz always knew how to fly, but the day she joined DAP she learned what it felt like to soar.

Words by Kay Kudukis

 

“There was nothing here,” says Sheri Saenz, indicating to the area across from DAP Health’s main Sunrise campus at the corner of Vista Chino and North Sunrise Way in Palm Springs, which is now filled with stores and condos. “I used to keep my horses over there when I was a kid.”

 

The Palm Springs native’s dad was a tradesman — jack of all. Mom stayed home with the kids until the last one was old enough to fend for herself. That was Saenz (née Barklow), number four. She was a shy girl who preferred horses to people. She liked math, but not school — that’s where the bullies were. High school? Literally dream-crushing. Saenz loved riding horses and spent all her time at the stables. Growing up in the Palm Springs area, her interests were hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and off-roading. The great outdoors was her happy place, and she envisioned a career as a forest ranger. She told her careers class advisor, who promptly ill-advised her: “Girls cannot be forest rangers, that’s a man’s job. Pick something else.”

 

Entering the Job Market

 

At 16, she applied at General Telephone, where Mom worked, and got the job. She continued working there while attending College of the Desert in business administration. An opportunity to step out of a telephone operator position and into an installation role in telecommunications equipment and fiber optics intrigued her. She learned how to lay cables, mount electrical outlets, and solder. The job required some traveling, which meant more time outdoors. She was pretty happy approaching her tenth year with the company, when the telecommunications industry went through deregulation and she was laid off, a crappy practice companies use when employees are closing in on enough years to earn a retirement pension. (See Tom Cruise/Nicole Kidman divorce. Allegedly.)

 

Her next move was unclear until she was talking to her friend about her dad’s job as a civil engineer. The land surveyor piece piqued Saenz’s interests. It was math, and it was outdoors. She got into the apprenticeship program at the Operating Engineers Union, and when she was done, “I did a lot of construction surveying out here [in the Coachella Valley].”

Pioneering in a male-dominated field did not make for a pleasant work environment. But Saenz was used to bullying, and the work suited her, so she stuck it out until a recession curtailed construction. That’s when her classes at COD came into play. She took a position in the accounting department of the Desert Princess Country Club. She was inside, but the grounds were lush and green.

 

It was a small office of 30, and her duties grew to include human resources. It was an exciting time. The 1990s were all about labor reform, and Saenz was pioneering once again, in the trenches working in collaboration with a labor law attorney, making sure they were in compliance. It’s also where she met Lonnie, who worked as the maintenance manager for the property. They were friends for several years until she finally let him catch her. Lonnie came with a 7-year-old daughter who, over the past 30 years, has given them two grandchildren, ages 1 and 16. Both geniuses, of course.

 

Saenz stayed at Desert Princess for seven years, until she realized they weren’t going to address the disparity between employees and contractors. The majority of the workers had been there years but were still paid as contractors. No benefits, something Microsoft got sued over in 1993 — and lost. Unhappy with management’s unwillingness to change their own practices, Saenz wanted to find work where she could make a difference. “I wanted to give people a voice,” she recalls. “I wanted to make sure everybody where I worked felt valued and heard.”

 

Finding Her Calling at DAP Health

 

She applied at Bird Products, the namesake company of the man who invented ventilators, and at Community Counseling & Consultation Center, Inc. (CCCC). She took the latter position as an HR assistant. She was their 50th employee. That was in 1998, before they publicly identified as Desert AIDS Project. “We were on Vella Road then,” she says. “We weren’t there too long before we moved here.” She’s talking about the current 44,000 square-foot Sunrise campus acquired thanks to the generosity of local philanthropists. But it was still a time when people with HIV not only carried that burden, but also the burden of others’ ignorance. Those who were HIV-positive were shunned, unable to get work. DAP gave them health care, compassion, jobs and dignity.

 

As a notary public, Saenz went to hospitals and homes with a case manager or an attorney to provide notary services for health care directives and/or wills. She recalls how appallingly hospitals treated people with AIDS back then, and how poorly the average family treated their loved one’s partner. Her voice softens: “These guys were the nicest people, who would give you the shirt off their back, even though they didn’t have anything.”

 

When Saenz joined Desert AIDS Project, she knew it was a place for her.  Being a part of an organization that provides services and support to our community vs. a for-profit company made all of the difference. Working in human resources and helping recruit staff as the organization grew was such an awarding experience. “I love working with everyone here,” she maintains. “It makes such a difference working where everyone is passionate and connected to our mission. I really enjoy placing the right person in the right job. It is a win-win for everyone.”

 

Saenz has kept pace with human resources laws and regulations over the years, leveling up with certifications, and in 2014, she obtained her bachelor’s in business administration from the California State University, San Bernardino, in Palm Desert. She worked her way up over the years from human resources assistant, and human resources administrator, to director of human resources. Last year, she moved into the C-suite, but her unnamed position’s responsibilities included finding the role a moniker. It took her a minute. Since she has a crucial role that encompasses human resources, facilities, construction, safety, and security of the organization, she wanted to make sure it was accurate. “Chief people and places officer” said it best.

 

On a personal note, another passion is advocating for rescue dogs. She volunteered at Animal Samaritans as part of their Highway Heroes program, driving shelter dogs to rescue organizations to get them a better chance to be adopted. Again, she likes to give voices to those who don’t have one. Her motto is “adopt a rescue dog, don’t buy one from a breeder.” Dogs are part of the family.

 

A few years back, Saenz’s mother moved into her and Lonnie’s casita after her husband died of COVID. When she’s not spending time with her, or the grands, or working to help marginalized humans, or helping rescue pups, she and her love like to travel. Self-care is very important.

 

It’s been 25 years since Saenz joined DAP, and in that time, she has created a workplace where her personal and professional values coincide with the people and places personifying the 10 words she lives every single day: Be the change you want to see in the world. Courtesy of Mahatma Gandhi, another people and places guru who just happens to be an idol of hers.

How Do I Sign Up For My Chart?

by Daniel Vaillancourt

How Do I Sign Up For MyChart?

To sign up for a DAP Health MyChart account, just follow the simple steps below.

Versión en español a continuación

 

Visit the MyChart Website

Go to DAP Health’s MyChart sign-up page and follow the directions. You will be asked to enter at least your name, date of birth, legal sex, and email address.

 

Create Your Username and Password

Follow the instructions to create a MyChart username and password. Ensure your password is secure and meets the required criteria.

 

Verify Your Identity

You may be asked to verify your identity by answering security questions or receiving a verification code via email or SMS.

 

Set Up Security Questions

Choose and answer security questions to help protect your account.

 

Review and Accept Terms and Conditions

Read the MyChart terms and conditions, and accept them to complete the sign-up process.

 

Access Your MyChart Account

Once your account is created, you can log in using your username and password.

 

If you encounter any issues during the sign-up process, contact your DAP Health clinic by phone or in person at your next appointment.

 

To learn more about MyChart, please click on this link. To learn more about how to sign up, please click on this link.

 

¿Cómo Me Registro en MyChart?

 

Para registrarse y obtener una cuenta DAP Health MyChart, simplemente siga los sencillos pasos a continuación.

 

Visite el Sitio Web MyChart

Vaya a la página de registro MyChart de DAP Health y siga las instrucciones. Se le pedirá que ingrese al menos su nombre, fecha de nacimiento, sexo legal y dirección de correo electrónico.

 

Crea tu Nombre de Usuario y Contraseña

Siga las instrucciones para crear un nombre de usuario y contraseña de MyChart. Asegúrese de que su contraseña sea segura y cumpla con los criterios requeridos.

 

Verifica tu Identidad

Es posible que se le solicite que verifique su identidad respondiendo preguntas de seguridad o recibiendo un código de verificación por correo electrónico o SMS.

 

Configurar Preguntas de Seguridad

Elija y responda preguntas de seguridad para ayudar a proteger su cuenta.

 

Revisar y Aceptar Términos y Condiciones

Lea los términos y condiciones de MyChart y acéptelos para completar el proceso de registro.

 

Acceda a su Cuenta MyChart

Una vez creada su cuenta, puede iniciar sesión con su nombre de usuario y contraseña.

 

Si tiene algún problema durante el proceso de registro, comuníquese con su clínica de DAP Health por teléfono o en persona en su próxima cita.

 

Para obtener más información sobre MyChart, haga clic en este enlace. Para obtener más información sobre cómo registrarse en MyChart, haga clic en este enlace.

 

DAP Health Standardizes Electronic Healt …

by Daniel Vaillancourt

DAP Health Standardizes Electronic Health Records Across its Entire Network

The upgrade to OCHIN Epic, Dax Copilot, and MyChart will greatly improve user experience for both patients and providers.

Versión en español a continuación

In the fast-evolving landscape of health care, embracing advanced technology is crucial for enhancing patient care and streamlining operations. DAP Health is proud to announce the organization-wide adoption of OCHIN Epic, a state-of-the-art electronic health record (EHR) system. Designed to improve health care delivery for both providers and patients, this comprehensive platform, along with its innovative components Dax Copilot and MyChart, promise to revolutionize the way we manage health information and interact with our patients.

 

Advantages for Providers

Seamless Integration and Efficiency

OCHIN Epic offers a robust and integrated solution that brings together various aspects of patient care into a single, user-friendly interface. Providers can access complete patient histories, lab results, and medication records in real time, reducing the need for multiple systems and paperwork. This integration ensures that health care professionals have all the information they need at their fingertips, enabling more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans.

 

Enhanced Collaboration and Communication

One of the standout features of OCHIN Epic is its ability to facilitate better communication and collaboration among health care teams. With shared access to patient records, doctors, nurses, and specialists can collaborate more effectively, ensuring that every team member is on the same page regarding a patient’s care plan, whether those team members are at DAP Health or at other health organizations. This coordinated approach reduces the risk of errors, enhancing the overall quality of care.

 

Dax Copilot: Revolutionizing Documentation

The Dax Copilot component is a gamechanger for health care providers. This AI-powered assistant helps with clinical documentation (AKA charting), allowing providers to focus more on patient care and less on administrative tasks. By transcribing and organizing clinical notes in real time, Dax Copilot reduces the burden of documentation, improves accuracy, and frees up valuable time for providers to engage more meaningfully with patients.

 

Benefits for Patients

Empowerment Through MyChart

For patients, MyChart is a key feature of the OCHIN Epic system that offers a multitude of benefits. MyChart is an online portal that provides patients with secure access to their health records from a computer, tablet, or smartphone, enabling them to take a more active role in managing their health. While one does not have to have a MyChart account to remain or become a DAP Health patient, there are many advantages. Below are some of the ways MyChart empowers patients.

 

Access to Health Information

Patients can easily view their medical history, immunization records, and test results (past and current) through MyChart. This transparency helps patients stay informed about their health status and understand their treatment plans better.

 

Appointment Management

Scheduling, rescheduling, or canceling appointments has never been easier. MyChart allows patients to manage their appointments online, providing convenience and reducing the need for phone calls or in-person visits.

 

Medication and Prescription Management

Patients can request prescription refills and review their medication lists through MyChart. This feature helps ensure that patients adhere to their prescribed treatments and reduces the risk of medication errors.

 

Communication with Providers

MyChart facilitates direct communication between patients and their health care providers. Patients can send messages, ask questions, and receive responses from their care team, enhancing their engagement and satisfaction with the care they receive.

 

Telehealth Integration

In an era where telehealth is becoming increasingly important, MyChart offers seamless integration for virtual visits. Patients can attend telehealth appointments, receive follow-up care, and consult with specialists from the comfort of their homes, ensuring continuity of care even during challenging times.

“Adopting OCHIN Epic, along with its powerful components Dax Copilot and MyChart, represents a significant step forward in our commitment to not only providing high-quality, patient-centered care, but to enriching the relationship between patients and their provider, and provider workplace experience as well,” says DAP Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Aquilina. “This advanced EHR system not only enhances efficiency and collaboration among providers, but empowers patients to take control of their health. By leveraging this technology, we aim to create a more connected, informed, and engaged community. Together, we can achieve better health outcomes and a brighter future for all.”

Please note that MyChart is not intended for urgent or life-threatening situations. In such cases, patients are urged to visit urgent care or the ER, or to call 9-1-1.

To learn more about MyChart, please click on this link. To learn more about how to sign up, please click on this link.

 

DAP Health Estandariza los Registros Médicos Electrónicos en Toda su Red

La actualización integral a OCHIN Epic, Dax Copilot y MyChart mejorará enormemente la experiencia del usuario tanto para los pacientes como para los proveedores.

En el panorama de la atención médica en rápida evolución, adoptar tecnología avanzada es crucial para mejorar la atención al paciente y agilizar las operaciones. DAP Health se enorgullece de anunciar la adopción en toda la organización de OCHIN Epic, un sistema de registros médicos electrónicos (EHR) de última generación.

Diseñada para mejorar la prestación de atención médica tanto para proveedores como para pacientes, esta plataforma integral, junto con sus componentes innovadores Dax Copilot y MyChart, prometen revolucionar la forma en que administramos la información de salud e interactuamos con nuestros pacientes.

 

Ventajas Para los Proveedores

Integración Perfecta y Eficiencia

OCHIN Epic ofrece una solución sólida e integrada que reúne varios aspectos de la atención al paciente en una interfaz única y fácil de usar. Los proveedores pueden acceder a historiales completos de pacientes, resultados de laboratorio y registros de medicamentos en tiempo real, lo que reduce la necesidad de múltiples sistemas y papeleo. Esta integración garantiza que los profesionales de la salud tengan toda la información que necesitan al alcance de la mano, lo que permite diagnósticos más precisos y planes de tratamiento personalizados.

 

Colaboración y Comunicación Mejoradas

Una de las características destacadas de OCHIN Epic es su capacidad para facilitar una mejor comunicación y colaboración entre los equipos de atención médica. Con el acceso compartido a los registros de los pacientes, los médicos, enfermeras y especialistas pueden colaborar de manera más efectiva, asegurando que todos los miembros del equipo estén en sintonía con respecto al plan de atención de un paciente, ya sea que esos miembros del equipo estén en DAP Health o en otras organizaciones de salud. Este enfoque coordinado reduce el riesgo de errores y mejora la calidad general de la atención.

 

Dax Copilot: Revolucionando la Documentación

El componente Dax Copilot cambia las reglas del juego para los proveedores de atención médica. Este asistente impulsado por IA ayuda con la documentación clínica (también conocido como gráficos), lo que permite a los proveedores centrarse más en la atención al paciente y menos en las tareas administrativas. Al transcribir y organizar notas clínicas en tiempo real, Dax Copilot reduce la carga de documentación, mejora la precisión y libera tiempo valioso para que los proveedores interactúen de manera más significativa con los pacientes.

 

Beneficios Para los Pacientes

Empoderamiento a Través de MyChart

Para los pacientes, MyChart es una característica clave del sistema OCHIN Epic que ofrece una multitud de beneficios. MyChart es un portal en línea que brinda a los pacientes acceso seguro a sus registros médicos desde una computadora, tableta o teléfono inteligente, lo que les permite desempeñar un papel más activo en la gestión de su salud. No es necesario tener una cuenta MyChart para permanecer o convertirse en paciente de DAP Health, existen muchas ventajas. A continuación se detallan algunas de las formas en que MyChart empodera a los pacientes.

 

Acceso a la Información de Salud

Los pacientes pueden ver fácilmente su historial médico, registros de vacunación y resultados de pruebas (pasados ​​y actuales) a través de MyChart. Esta transparencia ayuda a los pacientes a mantenerse informados sobre su estado de salud y comprender mejor sus planes de tratamiento.

 

Gestión de Citas

Programar, reprogramar o cancelar citas nunca ha sido tan fácil. MyChart permite a los pacientes administrar sus citas en línea, brindando comodidad y reduciendo la necesidad de llamadas telefónicas o visitas en persona.

 

Gestión de Medicamentos y Recetas

Los pacientes pueden solicitar resurtidos de recetas y revisar sus listas de medicamentos a través de MyChart. Esta característica ayuda a garantizar que los pacientes cumplan con los tratamientos prescritos y reduce el riesgo de errores de medicación.

 

Comunicación con Proveedores

MyChart facilita la comunicación directa entre los pacientes y sus proveedores de atención médica. Los pacientes pueden enviar mensajes, hacer preguntas y recibir respuestas de su equipo de atención, lo que mejora su compromiso y satisfacción con la atención que reciben.

 

Integración de Telesalud

En una era en la que la telesalud se está volviendo cada vez más importante, MyChart ofrece una integración perfecta para las visitas virtuales. Los pacientes pueden asistir a citas de telesalud, recibir atención de seguimiento y consultar con especialistas desde la comodidad de sus hogares, lo que garantiza la continuidad de la atención incluso en tiempos difíciles.

“La adopción de OCHIN Epic, junto con sus potentes componentes Dax Copilot y MyChart, representa un importante paso adelante en nuestro compromiso no solo de brindar atención de alta calidad centrada en el paciente, sino también de profundizar la relación entre los pacientes y su proveedor, y la experiencia en el lugar de trabajo del proveedor. también”, dice el Dr. Joseph Aquilina, director médico de DAP Health. “Este avanzado sistema EHR no sólo mejora la eficiencia y la colaboración entre los proveedores, sino que también permite a los pacientes tomar el control de su salud. Al aprovechar esta tecnología, nuestro objetivo es crear una comunidad más conectada, informada y comprometida. Juntos podemos lograr mejores resultados de salud y un futuro más brillante para todos.”

Tenga en cuenta que MyChart no está destinado a situaciones urgentes o que pongan en peligro la vida. En tales casos, se insta a los pacientes a visitar la atención de urgencia o a la sala de emergencias, o llamar al 9-1-1.

Para obtener más información sobre cómo registrarse en MyChart, haga clic en este enlace o haga clic en este enlace para ver un video instructivo.

Medi-Cal Now Available to All Low-Income …

by Daniel Vaillancourt

Medi-Cal Now Available to All Low-Income Families Regardless of Immigration Status

Words by María José Dúran

Versión en español a continuación

 

A new California law that went into effect in January 2024 allows all low-income residents — regardless of immigration status — to qualify for free or low-cost health insurance through Medi-Cal.

“It’s a great step to include all who contribute to California,” says DAP Health’s Community Education and Enrollment Manager Joanna Ibarra.

This new rule making undocumented adults ages 26-49 eligible for Medi-Cal is the last in a series that started in 2016 with coverage for immigrant children, then older adults, youths, and lastly, all age groups.

To qualify for Medi-Cal, individuals’ or families’ income must be under the 138% line of the Federal Poverty Level, which varies depending on household size.

With Medi-Cal Full-Scope, families and individuals can get all their health needs covered.

“It covers everything, not just emergency services at the hospital,” explains Ibarra, “from sick visits, primary care, preventive care, basic dental care, medications, x-rays, imaging, prenatal care continues to be a benefit, labor and delivery, behavioral health, hospitalization, physical therapy, occupational therapy, to transportation.”

However, fears of the public charge rule — a noncitizen who is likely to become primarily dependent on the government — stop many who qualify for Medi-Cal from applying for this benefit, as it can hinder immigration court cases or applications.

“There’s a lot of misinformation,” says Ibarra. “We have encountered a lot of fear around public charge. A lot of patients refuse to apply for anything because of it.”

In 2022, the government made an amendment to the Public Charge Rule, excluding noncash benefits such as health care.

“It clearly tells us that noncash benefits shouldn’t affect you, which includes health care,” Ibarra says.

The application for Medi-Cal can be submitted online through info.benefitscal.com. An identification document (not necessarily a state ID), proof of address, and proof of income are necessary for the process.

“Another way [to apply for Medi-Cal] is to come to one of our clinics and we have enrollment counselors who can assist from step one to last,” Ibarra explains. “We guide people, enter their information for them.”

For those who still don’t qualify for Medi-Cal due to income limits, DAP Health offers financial assistance on a sliding scale, also regardless of immigration status. Low-income families earning up to 200% of the Federal Income Poverty Guidelines can benefit from discounted medical visits.

“Health care is expensive for everyone,” Ibarra says, “so the sliding-fee scale is something that really has been beneficial to our community.”

Many uninsured patients in Southern California’s Latino communities suffer from conditions that require constant preventative care and access to medication, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. Ibarra says these patients can benefit from access to Medi-Cal. “Preventative medicine is what people did not have access to.” 

Ibarra points out the importance of accessing health insurance. “We need to maintain being healthy, active, and involved in our lives, not worried about “Am I going to get sick?” or “Will I have to go to work sick?”

 

Medi-Cal Admite a Personas de Bajos Ingresos Sin Estatus Migratorio de Cualquier Edad

Por María José Dúran

 

Ahora todas las personas que califican sin importar su estatus migratorio pueden acceder a seguro de salud gratuito o a bajo costo a través de Medi-cal.

Una nueva ley que entró en vigor en enero de 2024 permite que todos los residentes de California de bajos ingresos puedan solicitar seguro de salud gratuito a través del programa Medi-Cal.

“Es un gran paso para incluir a todos los residentes de California”, dice la jefa de Educación de Salud para la Comunidad y Registro de DAP Health Joanna Ibarra.

Con Medi-Cal Full-Scope (cobertura completa), las familias o individuos que califiquen pueden conseguir cobertura para todas sus necesidades de salud.

“Lo cubre todo, no solo servicios de emergencia en el hospital”, explica Ibarra, “desde visitas de enfermedad, atención primaria, cuidados preventivos, cuidado dental básico, radiografías y otras pruebas de imagen, cuidado prenatal, parto y nacimiento, salud mental, hospitalizaciones, fisioterapia, terapia ocupacional, hasta transporte.”

Para poder acceder a Medi-Cal, las familias o individuos de California deben tener unos ingresos anuales que estén por debajo del 138% del Nivel de Pobreza Federal, algo que varía dependiendo del número de personas en el hogar. Puede consultar si su familia califica en este enlace.

Sin embargo, el miedo a convertirse en carga pública impide que muchos soliciten este beneficio. La carga pública es una norma por la que una persona que no es ciudadana de los Estados Unidos y esté en riesgo de convertirse en mayoritariamente dependiente del gobierno es penalizada en los casos de inmigración o de corte migratoria.

“Hay muchísima desinformación”, dice Ibarra, “nos hemos encontrado mucho miedo alrededor de la carga pública. Muchos pacientes no quieren solicitar ningún beneficio por esto”.

Pero la norma de carga pública excluye los beneficios que no son en dinero efectivo. “Claramente nos dice que si el beneficio no es en efectivo no te afecta, lo que incluye los seguros de salud”, dice Ibarra.

Los interesados pueden solicitar Medi-Cal a través de la página web info.benefitscal.com. Para el proceso son necesarias una identificación (no necesariamente un documento oficial estatal), prueba de residencia y prueba de ingresos.

“Otra manera [de solicitar Medi-Cal] es venir a una de nuestras clínicas donde tenemos consejeros de registro que pueden asistir desde el primer al último paso”, explica Ibarra. “Nosotros guiamos a las personas, les ayudamos a llenar los formularios con su información”.

Para los que tengan ingresos anuales superiores y no puedan solicitar Medi-Cal, DAP Health ofrece asistencia financiera en escala gradual sin importar el estatus migratorio. Familias con ingresos que no sobrepasen el 200% del Límite de Pobreza Federal pueden solicitar servicios médicos con descuento.

“Los seguros de salud son caros para todo el mundo”, dice Ibarra,”por eso la escala gradual que ofrecemos en DAP Health ha sido de gran ayuda para nuestra comunidad”.

En el sur de California, muchos pacientes latinos sin seguro médico padecen enfermedades crónicas que requieren atención preventiva constante y acceso a medicamentos, como la diabetes o la presión arterial alta. Ibarra afirma que estos pacientes se podrían beneficiar del acceso a Medi-Cal. "La medicina preventiva es a lo que la gente no tenía acceso."

Ibarra resalta lo importante que es tener accesso a un seguro ide salud como Medi-Cal. “Necesitamos mantener nuestra salud, actividad y desarrollo de nuestras vidas, y no estar preocupados de si me voy a enfermar o voy a tener que ir a trabajar enfermo.”

Meet DAP Health Chief Medical Officer Dr …

by Daniel Vaillancourt

Semper Gumby

In English, the Latin unofficial motto of the U.S. Navy translates as “Always Flexible.” It perfectly describes DAP Health’s new Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Aquilina

Words by Kay Kudukis

His parents were first-generation Sicilian-American, so of course the entire family went to Grandma’s house for Sunday sauce. It was a nice break from the other six days when, evenings and after school, the three kids helped Mom and Dad in the family’s cleaning business. Cleaning neither garments nor houses. Car dealerships and fitness centers — any business in Buffalo that hired them. In addition, Dad worked two more jobs hoping to give his kids a better version of the American dream than his.

Joseph Aquilina, the only boy, a middle child, took up trombone and football. Maybe because he had an interest, or maybe because after school extracurriculars were more fun than cleaning. But he was drawn to the social aspects, the camaraderie. He even ended up combining both activities when the band performed at Rich Stadium for a Buffalo Bills game. Quite a score for the teenager.

Young Joe played offensive guard and defensive end in high school football. Generally, those positions had a heavier body type than that of Aquilina, who’d grown tall but not thick. His build was more like a quarterback, or a tennis player. He picked up the racket when he was stationed in London, but more on that later.

Because of his size, Joe worked harder to stay on the team, and can still recall the fantastic feeling at homecoming when they called his name: “Playing first string, defensive end, Joseph Aquilina.”

 

College Bound

Some plan their post-secondary life and know exactly where they’ll be after their senior summer. Others haven’t a clue. Aquilina fell into the latter category. He thought he might like to go to college — that’s what all the kids in his honors classes were doing — but he didn’t quite know how he was going to do that. His sister had been the first of any generation to attend college, but she stayed local. He did not want to do that.

His parents didn’t have the knowledge or funds to assist, so he relied on his friends for help and ideas. The University of Rochester came up, so he applied and received academic scholarships. Bonus: It was 90 miles away from Buffalo. Far enough away to live on campus, yet close enough to bring his laundry home on the weekends. “I thought I was busting out,” Aquilina says with a laugh.

He loved Rochester. “I had such a sense of independence. You can control your own schedule. I got my first non-family job at the Fine Arts Library. It was wonderful. I was a gallery guard. I could do my homework, watch the art exhibit, make sure no one touched anything, and get paid to study.”

 

Life in the Lab Was Too Boring

He chose microbiology as a major, but discovered the monotony of the lab didn’t really suit him. That was a problem. One day, a solution walked in: Urologist Dr. Bob, who came to take his wife (head of the lab) to lunch. “He was an affable, gregarious, fun guy,” Aquilina recalls. “And I just asked, ‘Hey, Dr. Bob. Can I join you one day, kind of see what your day is like?’”

Dr. Bob was equally as affable at work with patients, nurses, and staff. “Everybody knew and liked him. I thought, ‘I could do this,’” Aquilina grins, remembering. “It just seemed like a very social, fun job, and he really enjoyed it. So I thought maybe I should consider medical school. I had no idea what that meant.”

His counselor knew, and the news was good. Aquilina already had most of the credits needed. He just had to take the MCAT. His score did not disappoint. He was going to be a doctor!

 

In the Navy

His father wanted to mortgage the family home to pay for it, which terrified Aquilina. “What if I fail? Then he’s gonna lose the house. No way.” He had friends in ROTC at Rochester. “I thought, ‘Well, they seem like they’re happy.’” He cold-called the Navy. The recruiter couldn’t believe his luck. “Yes, we’ll absolutely pay for medical school. When can you start?”

Aquilina graduated from Loyola’s Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago in May of 1994. In July of 1995, he reported for flight surgeon training at Naval Operational Medicine Institute in Pensacola.

For the two years he worked as a flight surgeon, he was deployed for six months on the USS Tarawa, attended to 500 Marine flyers, got a pilot’s license, and logged more than 300 flight hours in a CH46 helicopter.

He got married, they had twin daughters, and he continued to move up in positions and responsibilities within the Navy’s medical sector. That included three years in the U.K., and six months deployed in Kuwait before returning to San Diego. There he earned his MBA, explored his tech fascination with a “side hustle” in dental charting software while concurrently wrapping up his 22 years of service as the director of outpatient health clinics.

 

In Uniform No More

Now both single and a civilian, Aquilina was ready to explore different opportunities. He worked in business development for a year, then shifted back to a team environment overseeing larger medical groups and implementing new initiatives.

For eight years, he served on the board of Glenner Memory Care Centers, specializing in adult day care centers and family resources, becoming well-versed in the workings of nonprofits.

If you peep his social media, you’ll see his playful side: goofy pictures with his kids, visits to tennis matches, and adventures in sailing. In 2014, he met his now fiancé, a concierge physician in San Diego. Last summer, Dr. Joe was a tennis coach for the Special Olympics. 

 

At Long Last, DAP Health

When he learned of DAP Health’s merger with Borrego Health, he saw a unique opportunity. “It’s a beautiful mission, and that was a huge attraction for me,” he says. “It seemed like an organization that really lived its values, which was really, really enticing.”

Right now, he splits his time between San Diego and Palm Springs, and his personal needs are simple: tennis partners. He says he ranks himself a solid 4.0, but “I will play whenever, wherever, with whomever.” 

Semper Gumby.