Octavia Browder Walks the Talk

At Cenpatico we say we Inspire Hope. Cenpatico Contract Implementation Manager Octavia Browder is proof of that with her work with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

“Cancer is a worldwide epidemic,” said Browder. “If it hasn’t affected your life in some way, it will.”

Cancer has affected Browder’s life. Two years ago, her mother was diagnosed with Colon Cancer; a disease that runs in her family. After a year long battle, she passed away.

During her mother’s struggle, Browder received an e-mail from The American Cancer Society. There she learned more about the Relay, the Society’s annual signature activity. Browder decided it was time for her to do more and take a stand…or in this case a walk against Cancer.

The Relay for Life is in its 25th year. It started in 1985 by Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma, Washington surgeon who decided to travel around a track for 24 hours in order to raise awareness for Cancer. Since then the Relay has become a nationwide event with over 3.5 million participants annually. While Relays may differ from city to city, there are a few features that are the same. One is that each relay is an overnight event up to 24 hours in length. The color purple is used as the color of inspiration and each team is asked to have at least one team member on the track at all times.

“The symbol for the Relay is a half moon/half sun with a star to symbolize that Cancer doesn’t sleep and neither do the relayers,” said Browder. “From the dawn of a person having Cancer throughout the night we keep fighting.”

The Relay is more than just walk. It’s a celebration of those who have battled and survived Cancer and a remembrance for loved ones lost to the disease. Most Relays open with a “Survivors’ Lap” where those who have battled Cancer walk around the track. There is also a Luminaria Ceremony where lighted bags decorated with the names of those who have fought or lost the battle with Cancer are placed on the ground and a moment of silent remembrance is taken. Most relays end with a Closing Ceremony where everyone takes one final lap together.

For the past two years Browder has put together a team of family and friends to honor her mother. In order to raise money for her team, Browder passed out Luminary Bags, wrapped Christmas presents in the Mall, and other activities to raise awareness. While no set amount of money is needed to participate, the American Cancer Society sets a goal of $500 for each team and $100 for each person. Many in the community donate more than just money. “For our walk there will be free food, silent auctions, and bands playing throughout the relay to keep us up and motivated,” said Browder.

Her mother’s passing has also opened her eyes to get checked herself. She and her sister continue to get check-ups to make sure they stay healthy and can detect any problems before they start.

“Cancer is year round,” said Browder. “Even if you miss the Relay in your area, you can still help the fight to find a cure.”

Click to learn more about the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. To support Browder’s team check out her team page.

Posted in Close Up | No Comments »

Kelvin Baron Rocks!

As lead guitarist for the Austin, TX based band Tornahdo, Cenpatico’s Web Portal Specialist Kelvin Baron is making his mark in “The Live Music Capitol of the World.”

Baron has been at Cenpatico for three years, playing the computer keyboard daily, as the single point of contact for Cenpatico’s web portal support and managing its day to day operation.

But, outside our walls, Baron’s instrument of choice is the guitar which he has been playing for nine years, though that wasn’t his first preference. “I started out drumming, but had to switch because a full drum set in an apartment isn’t the easiest thing to make work and doesn’t make you friends with the neighbors.” Baron’s parents saw how interested he was in music so they pointed him in a new direction. “My parents gave me my first guitar,” Baron said. “They are very supportive of me. I wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for them.”

Baron’s parents aren’t the only ones supporting him. “At least one Cenpatico employee has been at every show we’ve played. Everyone here has been very supportive of us,” said Baron.

The “us” Baron refers to is his band Tornahdo, (the name comes from a lyric by the band Joan of Arc, “You say Tornado, I say Tornahdo.”) a five piece rock group consisting of Kurt Rightler on bass, Burt Snover on keyboard/synthesizer, Aaron Perez on drums, and Ayde Navarro on saxophone/percussion.

The best way to describe Tornahdo’s sound is, as Baron puts it, “Rock and roll without frontiers. We’re a rock band at heart, but we like to experiment with other genres in our music.” When asked his favorite kind of music, Baron quickly says, “Mathrock.” That sounds perfect for someone who works with a web portal, but might not be what you think. “Mathrock,” according to Baron, “is a hybrid between the stuffy rock of the early 1970s and the snarly rock and frantic punk of the late 70s/early 80s. It’s a fusion of punk and progressive rock.” That can be seen…or better heard in Baron’s musical influences: The Mars Volta, King Crimson, and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Frank Zappa.

Tornahdo has only been together about 16 months, but has already been asked to play in the World famous South by Southwest Music Festival. “That hasn’t set in yet,” explains Baron. “Getting to this point so quickly was a shock. I don’t think it will truly hit me that we’re playing this festival until we’re setting up right before the show.”

Baron hopes that by year’s end Tornahdo will begin recording their first album and the band plans on hitting more cities this summer.

To see Tornhado at South by Southwest, check out their free outdoor show March 19th at 516 E. 6th Street in Austin, TX. The show starts at 8pm. To learn more about the band check out www.myspace.com/tornahdo

Posted in Close Up | No Comments »

Linda Weinberg went where she wasn’t wanted and made a difference.

Suicide has been a major problem in Native American communities for decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suicide rates among Native Americans have been more than double the general population. As recently as 2003, suicide was the second leading cause of violent death among Native Americans aged 19 or younger behind car accidents. In one tribe, three 12-year old girls committed suicide in a month.

“There are a lot of factors that can contribute to high Native American suicide rates,” Weinberg said. “There are problems with substance abuse, isolation, lack of employment, lack or resources, and the trouble of living in two worlds: Tribal and non-Tribal.”

Weinberg has been with Cenpatcio Arizona as Policy Developer for 3 ½ years. She knows and understands the problem suicide has been in the Tribes in her area and knew she had to help make a difference. “There was no prevention department,” Weinberg said. “There were no enrollment, and no diagnoses services in the tribal areas.”

Tribes can be very protective of their people and their lands. Outsiders aren’t always welcome or trusted; especially those who wish to discuss and help solve a very taboo problem like suicide. This is a fact not lost on Weinberg. “I had to be invited onto Native Lands,” she said. “I learned about each culture and made sure to be seen to prove that I could be trusted. People of any culture want to see that you want to learn and will keep your word. I had to learn who my supporters were and build upon those relationships.”

Weinberg was able to secure funds from the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) for suicide prevention services for the Maricopa Ak-Chin and the San Carlos Apache Nations.

She identified the type of services the Maricopa Ak-Chin felt were needed and got permission to bring services in the form of Critical Incident Stress Management Training and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training. She went to Columbia University for training to be able to teach Teen Screen to behavioral health and school personnel so they could screen youth who may be at risk for suicide and trained personnel who worked with youth from each the Maricopa Ak-Chin, San Carlos Apache, and Gila River Pima Tribes.

At San Carlos, Weinberg works closely with the Wellness Center and the Vice Chair of Tribal Council to identify services to meet the Tribal needs and has contracted for training of school personnel, detention center staff, behavioral health, housing department and other Tribal Departments. She also contracts with the Tribe for a public education campaign, the training of caregivers (including all materials) and works with the Tribe on infrastructure development for more staff to be trained to conduct suicide prevention training and debriefing after a critical incident.

In part because of Weinberg’s work, Native American Suicide rates in Arizona dropped below the state mean for the first time in Arizona history. In September 2008 Weinberg was awarded for her works with the Native American Suicide Prevention/MBrace Life Award.

“Change takes a long time,” Weinberg said “When you see the stats and see the changes in a community … rewarding isn’t a big enough word to describe the feeling.”

Posted in Close Up | No Comments »

Cenpatico Welcomes Dr. Bernard Engelberg

Cenpatico’s new Medical Director enjoys adventure. It’s that sense of adventure that helped Dr. Bernard T. Engelberg, M.D. decide to move his family from Albany, NY to Austin, TX. “I’d heard so many great things about Austin, but once I visited, I fell in love with it. It more than fit my imagination, even with the over 100 degree heat. If you can enjoy a city then, you know it’s a great city,” said Dr. Engelberg. The Doctor’s family; wife Ligaya, daughter Carina, and son Kevin, are also looking forward to the move. “They’re excited,” Dr. Engelberg said. “My son is even looking at possibly applying at the University of Texas or Rice.”

It’s also that sense of adventure that helped Dr. Engleberg decide to complete some of his studies in Europe where he lived for seven years including getting his Medical degree from Goettingen University in Germany. While there he got the chance to learn more about his family history. “My parents were German Jewish refugees and Holocaust survivors. I felt it was important to take the opportunity to see and learn more about where they came from.”

Dr. Engelberg comes to Cenpatico from MVP Healthcare in New York where he served as Senior Medical Director.  A life-long New Yorker having spent his residency and his career there, Dr. Engelberg is a New York Yankees fan which he jokingly admits might get him in trouble with some of his new Texas neighbors. He also enjoys tennis and photography and is looking forward to taking advantage of Austin’s hike and bike trials. The main thing he admits he will miss about the east is the ocean. “I will miss the (Atlantic) ocean. It was always a great place to spend the weekend.”  Colleagues at Cenpatico might want to give Dr. Engelberg some travel tips on exploring our great Gulf Coast region.

Dr. Engelberg is very excited about his new position at Cenpatico. When asked about his first impressions: “The people were wonderful. In fact, it was the people that were the most important factor for me taking this job. They were sincere and knowledgeable.”

He’s also excited to take on the challenge of an expanding company. “I love psychiatry. I grew up loving it. I really am looking forward to bringing that love and knowledge and combine that with my managed care skills to create new products for programs such as foster care.”

Dr. Engelberg is also excited about working with Cenpatico’s providers. “I want to work collaboratively and build a report with them,” he says. “I have an open door policy with providers and will gladly make my number available to them if they feel the have a problem or would like me to help them in a consultative role. My job and my hope is to make sure care never gets to the point of denial.”

“The best care is efficient care,” Dr. Engelberg says. “I strive for Goal-Oriented Quality Care and want to bring that kind of enthusiasm to my new position.”

Posted in Close Up | 1 Comment »