PHS WEBSITE
Piedmont's Weekly Update
Date: January 16, 2026
Welcome to this week's leadership update. We're committed to keeping you informed about the important developments across our organization, celebrating our team's achievements, and sharing insights that matter to you. This weekly communication is designed to foster transparency, recognize excellence, and strengthen our community as we work together toward our shared mission of serving those who depend on us.
Federal & State Updates
CHC Funding Crisis: Urgent Action Needed
Time is running out for Community Health Center (CHC) funding, and advocates are making their voices heard. Nearly 25,000 messages have flooded Capitol Hill — 5,000 in just the last week alone. Tomorrow, nearly 100 CHC leaders are meeting face-to-face with lawmakers to urge them to prioritize full CHC funding in the budget package currently being negotiated.
CHCs are on their 7th funding extension in two years, set to expire January 30. That means 52 million patients are at risk of losing access to care. NACHC is urging advocates and CHC supporters to keep up the momentum: contact your members of Congress now to ensure CHCs can continue building thriving communities.

Action Items: Contact your members of Congress before January 30 to urge them to pass full CHC funding and protect access to care for 52 million patients nationwide.
340B Rebate Program Update
The 340B Rebate program is on hold at this time. HHS decided to withdraw its appeal of the injunction, and plans to reconsider the pilot going forward. This is a temporary win for covered entities, but we will continue to advocate for and follow changes in the program going forward.
PHS Updates & Announcements
Project Catalyst: A Major Milestone Completed
A huge thank you to our Project Catalyst Steering Committee, Core Team, Health Systems Applications Team, A few of our Super Users, PACE Pittsboro team for hosting, and our Moncure and Carrboro site teams for welcoming site tours. Because of your partnership, our OCHIN Site Visit and New Member Setup from January 12 through January 15 is officially complete.
New Member Setup is a hands on working session where our Core Team, & Health Systems Applications Team partner directly with OCHIN to review workflows, validate decisions, and finalize the build approach that will power Epic across PHS. It is where planning turns into real system design.
The OCHIN team shared how impressed they were by how collaborative our teams are, having the right people at the table, and the amount of preparation already completed over the past year with our focus on standardizing workflows, templates, and building a shared report repository. Because of this groundwork, PHS is well positioned for success. This is a major milestone in our Epic journey, and it is only possible because it reflects the strength of our collaboration and our shared commitment to improving the experience for both patients and staff.

Why This Matters: This is about making work easier and care better. Fewer clicks. Less paperwork. Better coordination across medical, behavioral health, dental, PACE, and specialty services. Clearer schedules. Stronger support for quality, access, and compliance. Most importantly, it gives our teams more time to focus on patients.
What's Coming Next
IT Service Desk Update: Microsoft 365 Migration
This past weekend, our IT team completed several important system upgrades to prepare for our upcoming move to Microsoft 365. We upgraded our Exchange environment to the required SE version, applied critical server updates and security patches, and updated Skype as a temporary step while we prepare to transition to Microsoft Teams.
We are officially on track for Microsoft 365 Go Live:
  • Migration begins: Week of January 26, 2026
  • Target Go Live: March 30, 2026 (all users migrated)
Over the next few weeks, we will continue preparing for migration and will begin moving users in phases starting January 26. You will receive advance notice and guidance before your mailbox is migrated. This upgrade strengthens our email, collaboration, and security platforms and supports a more modern and reliable work environment for everyone.
PACE Organizational Update
PACE has redesigned its organizational structure to better support team performance, operational quality, and participant outcomes. The Site Director role has transitioned to Team Director, and an additional Team Director has been added at each PACE center. This aligns with PACE best practices and supports our two interdisciplinary teams at each site. These changes went into effect on Monday, January 12.
New Team Directors:
  • Burlington: Yvette Moore
  • Pittsboro: Nicole Brown
Title Updates:
  • Bobbie Wicker – Team Director
  • Carolyn Johnson – Team Director
Health & Wellness Updates
Flu Season Update for North Carolina
Of the 134 people who have died from the flu in NC, 104 have been at least 65 years old, and another 21 have been between 50 and 64 years old. There have also been three pediatric deaths.
So far, only 21.08% of North Carolinians have received a flu shot this year—approximately 2.45 million people. This means nearly 79% of our state's population remains unvaccinated.
Flu vaccines are available in all clinics for all ages. Please continue to encourage your patients to receive the vaccine. PHS continues to encourage the use of masks and hand hygiene to keep us safe.
2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2025–2030) were released this past week. The updated model returns to a modernized version of the food pyramid, with a renewed emphasis on whole, minimally processed foods.
Some concerns have been raised regarding the guidelines' increased emphasis on whole fats and red meat, which may conflict with saturated fat intake recommendations. While the guidelines present an ideal framework for daily eating patterns, affordability and access may impact individuals' ability to choose whole, less processed foods.
Key recommendations that remain consistent include:
  • Encouraging nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
  • Limiting highly processed foods and added sugars
  • Keeping saturated fat intake to no more than 10% of total daily calories, while prioritizing healthier fats
  • Increased focus on fiber intake and microbiome health
For more information: Academy Statement | Full Guidelines
❤️ National Wear Red Day – February 6, 2026
National Wear Red Day is Friday, February 6, 2026, part of the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women movement. Staff are encouraged to wear red to raise awareness that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women and to support heart health education and research during American Heart Month.
Join millions nationwide in showing support and helping save women's lives—one red outfit at a time.
Wellness Committee: Bloom & Zoom Race
We invite you to participate in the Bloom & Zoom Race scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Wake Med Soccer Park. Race begins at 8:15 AM.
To have your 5K race fee covered, please register using the Google Doc linked to this message by February 6, 2026: Registration Form
(Employees registering directly through the event website will be responsible for the non‑refundable fee.)
The Wellness Committee will be sharing a "Couch to 5K"-Inspired training plan after February 6th with those who register. To prepare, we encourage all staff to sign up for the free version of Active & Fit Direct™ to access thousands of on‑demand workout videos for the cross‑training portion of the training plan.
Kudos Corner: Celebrating Our Team
BCHC Pharmacy Team: Compassionate Care
Kudos to the Burlington Community Health Center Pharmacy Team for excellent and compassionate care provided to a patient who was in need of medications after a sister CHC closed for the weekend. They stepped up and took care of the patient's needs without hesitation, providing not only needed medications, but comfort by relieving her concerns for potential health issues that could arise without them over the weekend. Way to go Team!
Welcome New Chapel Hill Providers!
Please join us in welcoming our new providers to the Chapel Hill location! We are delighted to have Jaimie Shannon FNP, Krishna Aluri MD, and Nandini Murthi MD as part of our team and can't wait to see the positive impact you'll make. Welcome aboard!
Congratulations Agricultural Worker Health Program: Top Fan Award! 💙
Congratulations to our Agricultural Worker Health Program for receiving the Top Fan Award at this week's Operational Planning Retreat, hosted by the NC Farmworker Health Program! This award recognizes quiet, heartfelt leadership and innovative, compassionate ways of supporting agricultural workers. Through their leadership, innovative initiatives, and commitment to community well-being, this team continues to make a lasting impact. In 2025, the team:
  • Guided the team to Community Health Worker certification
  • Expanded care through 13 farmworker health clinics with behavioral health, transportation, and flexible scheduling
  • Strengthened partnerships via research on heat and health and launched a first-ever summer training with Access East and El Refugio
  • Implemented a mobile clinic initiative with BCBC for medical services, screenings, and follow-up care
  • Distributed 500 fans to reduce heat illness risks in agricultural worker housing
Staff Spotlight: Carrboro Nursing Team:
A special shout-out to the Carrboro Nursing Team for their teamwork and dedication! During this week’s departmental meeting, the team identified words that describe who they are, created a shared team identity statement, and reflected on how their work supports the mission, vision, and culture of PHS. They highlighted clinic strengths, identified opportunities for improvement, and shared ideas to better use MA downtime, strengthen sustainability of MA projects, and use morning huddles more intentionally for pre-visit planning and improved communication. The team also expressed gratitude for leadership that values two-way communication and shared that they feel heard and supported. We are proud of this team and their commitment to positive patient outcomes. 💙
Congratulations to CHRO Lorinnsa Bridges-Kee!
Please join me in congratulating our exceptional CHRO Lorinnsa Bridges-Kee who is now fellow of the Leadership Chapel Hill-Carrboro class of 2025-2026 by The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro. Happy to be in first row celebrating this remarkable achievement with you!
Mobile Health Unit Team: Outstanding Care and Collaboration! 💙
A big thank you to the Mobile Health Unit team for their outstanding care and collaboration! Julie Vogul, the School Nurse at Northside Elementary, shared this message: "Good Morning! Thank you all so much for your excellent service to Northside yesterday." Over the past week, the team went above and beyond—coordinating with the school nurse and social worker, setting up urgent dental appointments at our Chapel Hill clinic, accommodating on-site mobile needs, offering telehealth for parents, and following up with families. This is true teamwork and commitment, breaking down barriers to care and making a real difference in the lives of high-need children. Your dedication is why we do what we do—and feedback like this shows just how much impact you make every day.
Happy 2 Year Anniversary & Birthday, Daniella! 🎉
Congratulations to our CEO, Daniella Jaimes-Colina, on celebrating her 2-year anniversary with PHS! Your visionary leadership, dedication to our mission, and commitment to excellence have strengthened our organization and inspired our teams. We also wish you an early happy birthday! Thank you for everything you do for PHS and the communities we serve.
IT Team Excellence
Thank you to our IT team for completing critical system upgrades this past weekend. Your behind-the-scenes work ensures our staff have the modern, reliable tools they need to focus on patient care. Your technical expertise and dedication keep our organization running smoothly.
Every week, we witness remarkable acts of dedication, creativity, and compassion throughout our organization. From our pharmacy teams going the extra mile for patients in need, to welcoming new providers who will expand our capacity to serve, to celebrating the leadership that guides us forward—these moments remind us why our work matters.
Looking Ahead Together
As we approach Monday, January 19, 2026, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let's take a moment to celebrate the enduring legacy of hope, service, and community that Dr. King inspired in so many. His vision of a world built on kindness, equality, and lifting one another up continues to motivate us to show up with compassion every day—whether in our work caring for patients, supporting one another as colleagues, or reaching out to strengthen the communities we serve. It is a beautiful reminder of the positive impact we can all make when we come together with purpose and heart. Wishing everyone a meaningful and uplifting holiday filled with reflection, connection, and joy.
Kudos to another productive week, I'm filled with gratitude for the professionalism, resilience, and heart that each of you brings to this important work. From Project Catalyst milestones to systems upgrades, from organizational improvements to compassionate patient care—this week exemplified what makes PHS exceptional.
The challenges ahead are real: advocating for CHC funding and continuing to serve our communities during flu season. Yet your unwavering commitment to our mission gives me confidence that we will continue to make meaningful differences in people's lives. As we look ahead to exciting initiatives—from National Wear Red Day to the Bloom & Zoom Race—remember that taking care of ourselves enables us to better care for others.
Wishing you a joyful and restorative weekend filled with the people and moments that recharge you. Thank you for bringing your passion, compassion, and excellence to PHS every day—together, we are making 2026 a strong and impactful year.
Les deseo un fin de semana alegre y reparador, lleno de las personas y momentos que los recargan. Gracias por traer su pasión, compasión y excelencia a PHS cada día—juntos, estamos haciendo de 2026 un año fuerte y lleno de impacto.
"Together, we are building something remarkable—not just programs and services, but a culture of excellence, compassion, and unwavering commitment to those who depend on us."
With gratitude,
Daniella Jaimes-Colina, PhD, MBA, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer