VG McMinnville Corner
After receiving federal expansion grant monies in 2009, VG McMinnville has expanded services in three critical areas: behavioral health, dental services and outreach. The McMinnville clinic is working with behavioral health provider, Lexy Vanorio of Lifeworks Northwest, who helps patients to overcome some of the barriers to good health.
“Lexy works with our patients to help them understand and follow through on their health targets,” said clinic manager, Nancy Nelson. “It may be as simple as appointment reminders or arranging for time off from work. It may be more complex issues like domestic violence. All of these can create barriers for patients.”
The Dental Program at VG McMinnville has added educational services and treatment for pregnant women and adults with diabetes. Both of these target groups are at particular risk for disease and infection and the dental program will help educate patients on the relationships between oral hygiene and lifestyle.
Program expansion will include the addition of a new dentist, two dental technicians, a dental outreach specialist and additional receptionist. The Outreach Expansion grant will allow VG McMinnville to expand their outreach efforts during the busy summer months. “By hiring additional health educators, ‘promatoras,’ we can expand our transportation and translation services, as well as the summer health fairs and special clinics we offer,” said Nelson.
(Pictured above, Virginia Garcia staff members from left to right Serena Mull, DDS and Claudia Armendariz, Dental Assistant.)
Also new to VG McMinnville is an educational series called Tomando Control. Developed at Stanford University, Tomando Control helps people living with chronic illnesses cope through goal setting and a supportive environment. “This is an evidence-based curriculum for both patients and caregivers,” said Nelson. “We are very excited to offer this program to the community and are currently recruiting patients for it.”