Federal Policy & Advocacy
Piedmont Health at the 2026 NACHC Policy & Issues Forum
Several Piedmont Health senior leaders attended the 2026 NACHC Policy & Issues (P&I) Forum in Washington, DC, as Community Health Centers (CHCs) mark 60 years of impact and look ahead to the next era of primary care. The conference brings together CHC executives, clinicians, board members, and national partners to connect with peers, engage in bipartisan advocacy on Capitol Hill, and explore innovative strategies to strengthen and expand primary care nationwide.
This year's forum highlights NACHC's Triple Double strategy—doubling primary care spending, doubling the number of patients served, and doubling the primary care workforce—while showcasing new care models, chronic disease management innovations, and policy priorities.
Technology Department Updates
🚀 Project CATALYST Progress
Steady behind the scenes work is happening now to set us up for a smoother Epic transition in August 2026. Current Health Systems Applications team focus areas:
- Completing computer inventory and device naming within the OCHIN system
- Adding users and establishing appropriate system rights now so access is ready when activation begins in the future
- Pulling in clearinghouses for our top payers to prepare for live claims testing
- Working with Super Users to gain access to the OCHIN Epic learning platform so training can begin ahead of User Acceptance Testing
This stage is foundational work. It may not always be visible, but it directly impacts how smooth login, workflows, billing, and training will feel later.
- ✅ Stay Updated: CLICK HERE FOR FAQs
- 💬 Your Voice Matters: Submit feedback here
- 📅 Timeline Snapshot: Click to view the current timeline
📊 UDS Reporting Update
The UDS deadline is approaching, and strong coordination is in place.
- A UDS committee is meeting weekly to review reporting accuracy
- Data elements required for submission are being actively validated and pulled
- Teams are closely monitoring reporting systems to support questions or gaps
The teamwork happening across departments is making a real difference in where we are headed.
📧 Microsoft 365 Email Migration Underway
We have officially started the next phase of our Microsoft 365 migration, which includes moving staff mailboxes. This upgrade brings improved tools for communication, collaboration, and daily work. Our IT team is coordinating closely to keep disruption minimal. Each site has scheduled migration dates, onsite support, and dedicated helpdesk staff assigned.
📅 Migration Schedule & Support
🧠 Required & Helpful Resources: CLICK HERE TO REVIEW AND ACCESS MICROSOFT 365 TRAINING TIP TOOLS
PHS Highlights & Updates
🦷 Bigger Smiles, Bigger Impact
Give Kids A Smile 2026 Update
We are incredibly proud to share the results of our Give Kids a Smile 2026 event. Our teams in Chapel Hill and Moncure worked hard to ensure the next generation has healthy, happy smiles!
- Total Community Impact: $14,319 in FREE dental services
- Chapel Hill Dental: 18 patients treated
- Moncure Community Health Center: 20 patients treated
Thank you to our dedicated staff and the community for making this possible. Every child deserves access to essential dental care!
Transition of Health Support Services
We'd like to share an update regarding a recent reorganization within PHS that affects the Health Support Services (HSS) department. We recognize that changes like this can take some adjustment, and we appreciate everyone's continued flexibility and dedication as these transitions take place.
Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT)
Will now report under population health, within the Medical Department, led by Rui Ariyapala, ACMO. Greg Wheatley will continue in his role as MNT Manager.
Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Will continue to report to the CDO, Katrina Mattison-Chalwe. Aubrey Womack will serve as the Interim WIC Director.
Agricultural Farmworker Program
Will now report under the Grants and Projects Department, with Lynell Hodges as Program Manager. Ceci Sanchez will continue in her role as Agricultural Farmworker Health Manager.
Thank you all for your ongoing commitment to our patients and communities. Please don't hesitate to reach out to your leadership team with any questions or for additional support during this transition.
❤️ Heart of Healthcare Gala 2026
Join us on March 14 for an evening celebrating the heart of our work and the people who make it possible. Don't forget to register and celebrate with us!
We will proudly recognize our Service Award Recipients at our 2026 Heart of Healthcare Gala on Saturday, March 14th. Invites were sent out via email from Evite on January 26th. If you didn't receive your invite please 1) check your Admin Junk Summary to see if the message was flagged as spam 2) send an email to Kaelah Alston at Alstonk@piedmonthealth.org to have the invite resent from Evite.
Important Deadlines:
- RSVP Deadline: Extended to February 20th
- Hotel Room Discount: February 27th at Drury Inn & Suites
🌐 LinkedIn has hit 3,000 followers
Kicking off Friday with awesome news. LinkedIn has hit 3,000 followers. It's now our most followed platform. We have a special post celebrating this milestone.
💘 Valentine's Day Note to Our Team
This Valentine's Day, we want to recognize the heart behind the work you do. Every patient interaction, every collaboration with a colleague, and every moment of care reflects the compassion and commitment that define our organization. Thank you for showing up each day with kindness, professionalism, and dedication to our mission. The impact you make reaches far beyond our walls—and it starts with the care you show one another. Wishing you a Valentine's Day filled with appreciation, connection, and a reminder of how valued you truly are.
🌍 World Cancer Day (February 4)
This week, we recognized World Cancer Day, a global observance dedicated to raising awareness, improving education, and advancing action to reduce the impact of cancer. At Piedmont Health Services, we remain committed to prevention, early detection, equitable access to care, and compassionate support for patients and families affected by cancer.
Look Out! PACE Mailers Are Hitting Local Homes Soon!
Exciting news—direct mailers highlighting PACE and the full range of services we provide to participants and their caregivers will be arriving in local mailboxes soon! This first campaign targets households age 55+ within a specific income range, located within a 10-mile radius of our Burlington location, as well as in zip codes 27344, 27332, 27330, and 27312. Census data indicates this outreach will reach over 16,000 homes!
The initial mailer will focus on transportation services, with three additional mailings planned in 2026, each showcasing a different PACE service. Please be on the lookout for these mailers and continue sharing the incredible work PACE does every day to support our seniors!
Burlington PACE – IDT Area Enhancement
The PHS Communications and PACE Marketing & Enrollment Teams have been busy collaborating! This week, new wall vinyl graphics were successfully installed in the Burlington PACE downstairs Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) area. The installation includes the PACE Interdisciplinary Team circle graphic along with Piedmont Health / PACE branded wall visuals. These updates enhance the physical environment, reinforce our interdisciplinary model of care, and strengthen organizational branding within the space.
📦 Retirement Plan Transition – T Rowe
The Blackout Period will end on February 20th (next Friday). Once it has ended you will have full access to your retirement account at T Rowe. Please register to attend one of the webinars on February 26th to learn additional details.
Registration Link: https://www.trowepricemeetings.com/ehome/871747
❄️ The Piedmont Health Services Weather Team
The Piedmont Health Services Weather Team have been working overtime to ensure the safety and awareness of all staff, patients, guests, and participants over the past three weeks. The weather team meets well before any impacts are felt in our region and continues to meet at all hours of the day and night to ensure we are making the right decisions to keep everyone safe and prepare our locations for staff, patients, guests, and participants.
Planning and Preparedness are only a small part of our organizations emergency preparedness and response action. After every event that impacts our business, we take a look at what went well and what areas we need to improve on. Corey Roberts, Director of Safety and Environment of Care sent out an email on Friday 2/6 requesting your feedback on the recent winter weather events. This is in pursuit of continuous improvement.
If you would like to provide feedback on the winter weather events you can email directly robertsco@piedmonthealth.org.
A huge THANK YOU to our Facilities team that braved the winter weather to prepare our sites and got out early on the streets to clear our sites and ensure safety of all when the doors opened. They scraped parking lots, sidewalks and used every bit of ice melt we had to ensure our safety.
Looking Ahead Together
As we close out another productive week, I’m grateful for the professionalism, resilience, and heart you bring to this work. While the challenges of serving vulnerable populations are real, your dedication to our mission continues to make a meaningful difference. This week’s updates—from technology improvements to community outreach and individual acts of excellence—highlight a clear truth: our impact is driven by our people, who are changing lives, supporting families, and strengthening communities every day. As you head into the weekend, please take time to rest and recharge, and thank you for all that you do for those we serve, for one another, and for our shared mission.
That’s a wrap on another incredible week — huge thanks to every single one of you for bringing your best every day. We’re building something special together, and the progress is showing! Let’s carry this momentum straight into next week. Rest up, recharge, and come back ready to crush it. Have an awesome weekend — you’ve earned it! 🚀
¡Y con esto cerramos otra semana increible! Mil gracias a cada uno de ustedes por ponerle corazón y garra todos los días. Estamos construyendo algo increíble juntos y se nota. Aprovechamos este impulso y lo llevamos a tope la próxima semana. Descansen, recarguen pilas y volvamos con toda la energía el lunes. ¡Que tengan un fin de semana espectacular — se lo merecen! 🚀
"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
Chief Executive Officer
