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Piedmont's Weekly Update
Date: January 23, 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
Action Alert: Call Congress to Vote Yes on Increased CHC Funding by January 30
On Tuesday, Congressional leadership released bipartisan legislation as lawmakers race to meet the January 30 funding deadline. This proposal is welcome news for Community Health Centers (CHCs) and the 52 million patients who rely on them for care.
The legislation includes:
  • $4.6 billion in mandatory funding for CHCs through 2026 (a $340 million increase)—the largest funding increase in a decade
  • $350 million for NHSC through 2026 (a $5 million increase)
  • $225 million for THCGME in FY 2026 (a $50 million increase)
  • Extension of Medicare telehealth flexibilities through 2027
Your Voice Matters—Act Now! With the January 30 deadline fast approaching, Congress must act now to pass this legislation and provide the certainty CHCs need to continue delivering high-quality, affordable care.
Recommended Actions:
  • Share this campaign with 5 others and ask them to take action
For questions, contact grassroots@nachc.org.

Deadline: January 30, 2026
Together, we can ensure CHCs remain open, accessible, and ready to care for the communities that depend on them.
PHS Updates & Announcements
Flores Platform Update
We're working with Flores to resolve recent platform issues affecting fund access. We apologize for any situations where funds were deducted but not available. Resolution expected within the next day or so.
GKAS Event – February 6, 2026 | Patients Needed
Piedmont Health will be participating in the national Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) event on February 6, 2026, offering preventive dental services for pediatric patients at our Moncure and Chapel Hill Dental sites.
Appointments are now open, and we are actively scheduling patients.
This event supports access to preventive care for our community while aligning with our mission to provide high quality, patient centered services. Please help spread the word so we can ensure a full schedule and maximize impact.
Financial Education Workshop – Jan 29
Join us for the first session of our new quarterly Financial Education Workshop Series designed to help you build confidence and long-term financial stability.
First Session: The Psychology of Money
đź“… Thursday, January 29
⏰ 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
đź’» Virtual via Zoom
Taught by a certified financial counselor from Financial Pathways of the Piedmont, this session explores the mindset behind financial decision-making. All workshops are recorded for flexible learning throughout the year.
Project Catalyst Staying Connected and Informedđź“Ł
Keeping everyone informed is key to success. Dedicated communication channels ensure transparency and collaboration:
  • SNEAK PEEK AT OUR Breakroom Posters with our QR Codes (coming soon to PHS Sites): Instant access to updates
âś… Stay Updated: Click here for FAQs
đź’¬ Your Voice Matters: Submit feedback here
đź“… Timeline Snapshot: View current timeline
Important Reminders
Compliance Reminder: Dress Code Policy
As a reminder, denim of any color is only permitted on designated Dress Down Jean Fridays or when otherwise approved. Everyday acceptable attire includes blouses or shirts with finished edges, dress pants, slacks, khakis, and skirts or dresses that fall within 3 to 4 inches above the knee.
For full details, please reference Dress Code Policy HR 11.2.0.8. Thank you for helping maintain a professional and welcoming environment for our patients and teams.
Piedmont Weather Alert & Preparedness Update
Forecasts indicate precipitation beginning Saturday evening and continuing through Monday morning, followed by very cold temperatures with overnight lows in the single digits from Monday into Tuesday.
Please prepare now for the possibility of power outages and hazardous road conditions. For the most up to date information regarding clinic operations or schedule changes, continue to check piedmonthealth.org and our social media channels.
Kudos Corner: Celebrating Our Team
MHU Dental Team Excellence
From Nurse Vogel at Northside Elementary: "Good Morning! Thank you all so much for your excellent service to Northside yesterday." She expressed deep gratitude for the attention and care provided to students with urgent dental needs, including phone and text communication, emergency appointments in Chapel Hill, mobile unit services, telehealth accommodations, and follow-up calls by Lauria. This shows true commitment, teamwork, and collaboration to give the very best care and break through barriers for high-need children.
A Message of Gratitude from Our CEO
To all our employees who give back to The Friends of Piedmont Health Fund through payroll deduction, check, or PayPal: Thank You! I am so grateful for your support. Your gift helps us remain strong with our mission and vision. As a nonprofit health center, we look at each patient as an individual and provide the very best care. Your support truly helps us make a difference.
Bonusly Recognition Leaders
🎉 Don't forget to give kudos via Bonusly! Giving is just as great as receiving. Congratulations to our top givers this month who are leading the way in recognizing their colleagues' contributions and building our culture of appreciation. Check out the recognition leaderboard and join in celebrating excellence across our organization.
Every week, we witness remarkable acts of dedication, creativity, and compassion throughout our organization. The examples above represent just a few of the many ways our teams demonstrate excellence. Whether you're providing direct patient care, supporting operations, or leading teams through change, your contributions matter deeply.
Our culture of recognition through Bonusly helps us celebrate achievements in real-time and build stronger connections across departments. We encourage everyone to participate in recognizing colleagues who exemplify our values.
Looking Ahead Together
As we close out another eventful week, I'm filled with gratitude for the professionalism, resilience, and heart that each of you brings to this important work. From our GKAS dental event preparations to our advocacy efforts for increased CHC funding, from Project CATALYST implementation to our commitment to employee wellness—every initiative reflects our shared dedication to serving those who depend on us.
The updates we've shared this week demonstrate the breadth and depth of our work. We're not just responding to policy changes and operational challenges; we're proactively creating opportunities to expand access, improve quality, and support one another. The MHU Dental Team's collaboration with Northside Elementary exemplifies the kind of patient-centered, barrier-breaking care that defines Piedmont Health.
As we head into the weekend—and potentially challenging weather conditions—please take time to prepare, stay safe, and care for yourselves. The work we do requires not just professional expertise but also emotional resilience, and sustainable impact requires sustainable practices.
Remember our upcoming opportunities: the financial education workshop on January 29, and the critical advocacy deadline of January 30 for CHC funding. Your voices matter in both personal financial wellness and in securing the resources our organization needs to continue serving our communities.
"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."
"Juntos, estamos construyendo algo extraordinario —no solo programas y servicios, sino una cultura de excelencia, compasión y compromiso inquebrantable con aquellos que dependen de nosotros."
With gratitude,
Daniella Jaimes-Colina, PhD, MBA, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer