Small Town News

CBHA honors two employees

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Two star employees at the Columbia Basin Health Association received a little extra attention recently were they Were named the Provider and Supervisor of the Year.

"I was dumbfounded and shocked," Supervisor of the Year Luis Rodriguez said. "It is a great honor. It made my week. I am still getting congratulations."

The Provider of the Year title went to David Hofheins, D.O.

He started at CBHA in 1979 as an employee of the government. Two years later, he signed on as full-time employee of the clinic.

Hofheins first came to Othello because his wife is from Seattle so he wanted to be in the northwest.

"CBHA had an opening and we matched," he said.

Hofheins currently serves as a family physician.

Originally from the Midwest, he said he didn't know if he would like Othello at first.

"The town grows on you pretty quickly," Hofheins said. "I like small towns, I like this area and I have enjoyed working here."

The people also keep him around, he said.

"Probably the patients are my favorite part," Hofheins said.

There are challenges, though.

"We provide necessary care with limited funds and services," Hofheins said. "We are limited on the things available to us. That has been a challenge for the clinic as long as I've been here."

This is because the clinic sees mainly low-income patients, he said.

"We struggle to provide more with less," Hofheins said.

He sees CBHA as a great place to work.

"I like being able to take care of patients and giving them the care they need and not worry whether they have the funds to pay for their services," Hofheins said.

The Provider of the Year award winner is selected based on tenure, commitment to the organization, quality, productivity and patient satisfaction. Hofheins is the third winner of the award.

"I was surprised and pleased," Hofheins said.

He has two children, both of whom are educators in Moses Lake, and six grandchildren.

Hofheins also earned his pilot's license in recent years.

"It's one of those things I wanted to do, a bucket list item," he said. "So two years ago, I just learned to fly."

He is glad he did.

"It fulfilled a dream I had,"

Hofheins said.

Rodriguez is the supervisor of the dental department at CBHA. He started as a cashier in May 2006. He quickly moved up, however, due to a set of goals. He got certified to get into the billing department and was then encouraged to apply for the supervisor position in the dental department.

"I set goals for myself," he said. "I wanted to be employee of the month, I did that in the first year. I wanted to be (American Health Information Management Association) certified, I did that. I keep setting goals and I reach them. I said getting Supervisor of the Year was in my five-year plan. I did it in four."

Rodriguez's joking and happy attitude is something that comes from his job, he said.

"Anybody who knows me knows I am always smiling," Rodriguez said. "I know it's work, but I like to come here and work with these people. It is hard to see me in a bad mood."

He said he is lucky to work at a place that offers classes and ways for him to improve.

"I had three really good supervisors who encouraged me to better myself," he said. "Their encouragement gave me opportunities."

The biggest challenge Rodriguez said he faces is keeping up with technology.

"Everything is constantly changing and constancy growing," he said. "There is always a new project on the way or a new improvement. We try to keep up with the newest and the best."

Rodriguez was born and raised in Othello but never thought he would stay.

"I've been here 32 years now," he said, with a laugh. "I always said I wasn't going to stay after graduation, but now, I'll probably be here for another 32 years."

Spending time with friends and family is an important part of Rodriguez's life. But he is also quick on his feet.

"I like dancing a lot," he said.



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© 2011 The Othello Outlook Othello, Washington. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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