Each month we recognize two outstanding staff members for their top quality work and team building. These successes reflect their deep caring about our crucial Mission to touch the lives of those faced with great challenges with health conditions made worse by poverty and other vital social factors. Thanks to each of you, Diep and Melissa. You show the range of skills crucial to partners’ strength – fine and caring work. We all thank you and salute you for excellence in a world of complex social and climate challenges where caring services are so important to supporting new pathways and easing suffering for so many. Below you will see the stories of these two staff in their work at our agency.
Diep Luu joined Partners in Care Foundation in 2021 as the agency’s Marketing and Social Media Specialist, and immediately set to work modernizing our approach to using social media, email, and the agency’s website in promoting the outstanding work being done in the sphere of social care. Beyond the world of digital communication, Diep also made a mark with her work to promote MSSP in Bakersfield, which landed a TV interview for an agency client who bragged about the social care the team provided. Along the way Diep has been promoted to manager, helped IT design the SharePoint site, regularly assists HomeMeds with outreach activity, and most recently, collaborated tirelessly with Shad Cruz and Kacie Powell in the development of advertising and online messaging for Partners’ Workforce Development Training Center. Besides the big projects, Diep makes sure that the agency is aware of notable religious, cultural and national holidays. She regularly writes service stories highlighting the great skills of agency staff, and always finds time to be helpful to any department or staff member who needs help or wants to share an idea. There is lots more Diep contributes beyond these points, and we could go on and on. She was and continues to be a strong addition to the agency in general, and marketing team in particular. Congratulations, Diep, on this recognition!
Melissa Vitocruz Gopez has been a part of the Partners in Care Foundation since May 2021. Melissa earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Child & Adolescent Development from CSU Northridge followed by her Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from Simmons University. She joined the Home & Community Based-Alternatives (HCBA) Waiver team with previous experience in Early Head Start teaching, family advocacy, and working with the older adult population struggling with mental illness through individual and group therapies. Her experience working with children, adolescents, families, and older adults prepared her for working with HCBA Waiver participants as it routinely brings multiple demographics together. Melissa provides care coordination for individuals who are medically fragile to ensure their health and safety needs are being met outside of an institutional setting while also remaining as independent as possible. Melissa shows her commitment to each participant by dedication to timely care coordination, detailed documentation, and individualized monthly contacts. Melissa brings a positive attitude to the team, always willing to offer a helping hand when able. Additionally, Melissa has been involved in peer onboarding HCBA Waiver new hires, education to grad students and community members interested in HCBA Waiver, as well as participating in a Partners Therapy Piolet Program where she has taken on several individual clients by providing psychotherapy. Recently Melissa has begun the process of becoming a certified field instructor to assist HCBA Waiver take on GSEWC interns, allowing students to further their education within community care coordination. Melissa’s pursuit to continue professional growth while striving to be a positive influence to those she walks alongside with daily is a testament to her being chosen for employee of the month. Congratulations Melissa we are grateful to have you on the HCBA team!
