Celebrating Crickett: A Legacy of Quality, Compliance, and Care
- Mga tauhan ng Sunshine
- Oct 26
- 4 min na pagbabasa
At Sunshine Community Health Center, we are proud to celebrate the dedication and impact of Crickett, our Chief Quality Officer, who has been with Sunshine on and off since 1991. Over the years, she has guided our teams through seasons of change, growth, and improvement—always with an unwavering focus on quality and the health of our communities.
Crickett’s work touches nearly every part of the clinic, but her leadership shines most in the areas of quality improvement, compliance, and data systems. These may sound like behind-the-scenes efforts, but they are the foundation of how Sunshine continues to serve our patients well, meet national standards, and improve health outcomes year after year.
What Is UDS and Why Does It Matter?
One of Crickett’s core responsibilities is overseeing Universal Data System (UDS) reporting, which is required of all federally qualified health centers (FQHCs). UDS is a national reporting system that ensures health centers like Sunshine collect and submit information about the care we provide, the patients we serve, and the outcomes we achieve.
Every year, health centers across the country submit UDS reports to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). These reports include patient demographics, services provided, staffing, financials, and most importantly—clinical quality measures (CQMs).
Understanding Clinical Quality Measures
Clinical quality measures are benchmarks that track how well we are doing in delivering evidence-based, effective care. They cover a wide range of areas, including:
Preventive Health: rates of immunizations, cancer screenings, and well-child visits.
Chronic Disease Management: monitoring and treatment of conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma.
Maternal and Child Health: prenatal and postpartum care, birth outcomes, and support for healthy families.
Behavioral Health: screening for depression, substance use, and connecting patients with appropriate treatment.
By tracking these measures, Sunshine can see where we’re excelling, where there are gaps, and how we can continue to improve. Ultimately, these numbers are not just statistics—they represent healthier lives in our communities.
What Is a PCMH?
Another area where Crickett’s leadership is key is in Sunshine’s designation as a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH).
A PCMH is more than just a clinic—it’s a model of care that puts patients at the center of everything. It means:
Patients have a care team that coordinates across services.
Care is accessible, with same-day appointments and after-hours options.
Care is comprehensive, addressing physical health, mental health, and social needs.
Care is continuous, following patients over time to ensure long-term wellness.
Care is measurable and accountable, using data (like UDS) to ensure quality and improvement.
Crickett has been instrumental in keeping Sunshine on track with PCMH standards, which means our patients benefit from more coordinated, compassionate, and effective care.
What Does Compliance in Health Care Mean?
In partnership with Bridgett, our Compliance & Risk Manager, Crickett also oversees compliance programs.
Compliance in health care ensures that clinics follow all laws, regulations, and ethical standards—everything from protecting patient privacy under HIPAA, to following billing rules, to meeting federal safety requirements. Compliance is not just about “checking boxes”—it protects patients, staff, and the entire organization.
By connecting compliance with quality improvement, Crickett and Bridgett ensure that Sunshine is not only following the rules, but also using them to strengthen care.
Why Do We Collect So Much Data?
Sometimes patients wonder: Why does the clinic ask me so many questions? Why do they collect all this data?
The answer is simple: because every piece of information helps improve community health.
When we ask about your medical history, your demographics, or your social needs, we’re building a fuller picture of the challenges our patients face. This data allows Sunshine to:
Identify health disparities in our communities.
Secure federal funding that supports services for uninsured or underinsured patients.
Design programs and outreach efforts targeted at real needs.
Measure how well we are improving outcomes, not just for individuals, but for entire communities.
Thanks to Crickett’s leadership, this data becomes a tool for action—not just paperwork.
Meet Crickett Beyond the Data
While many know her as Catherine Elizabeth Stankowitz, QI/QA Manager at Sunshine, most of us simply call her Crickett. She’s been part of the Sunshine family on and off since 1991, and while her leadership in quality and compliance is legendary, there’s a lot more to her story.
Roots & Fun Facts: Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, Crickett once dreamed of becoming a forensic scientist. Instead, she found her calling in health care, where her eye for detail and passion for improvement shine every day.
If there was a “St. Crickett Day”: We’d all be dressing up in funky clothes, dancing to disco music, and celebrating with laughter and joy.
Dream Cars: As a kid, she wanted a BMW 325i. Today, her dream ride is a classic 1957 Chevy Bel Air.
Unique Achievements: She still smiles about being voted “Best Hair” in high school—a silly accomplishment, but one she’s secretly proud of.
Bucket List Adventures: Traveling Europe by Eurorail, exploring the U.S. in an RV, and flying in a hot air balloon are all on her horizon.
Heart & Happiness: If happiness was currency, she’d be rich rescuing dogs. And at home, she shares life with her beloved pets: Lulu and Gidget (both Shih Tzus), Cabela (a Springer Spaniel), and Zora (a Bulldog).
Treasured Keepsake: Her most cherished possession is her mother’s wedding ring, a reminder of the deep love her parents shared.
Future Dreams: If she ever moved away from Alaska, she’d choose Belize, fulfilling a dream she shares with her spouse.
Crickett’s story reminds us that behind every role and every title is a person full of heart, humor, and dreams. Just as she’s helped Sunshine through decades of change, she continues to inspire us with her authenticity and dedication.
A Legacy of Quality
Crickett has been with Sunshine through decades of transformation. She has helped us navigate national reporting systems, meet federal standards, and achieve measurable improvements in community health.
Her commitment to quality, compliance, and patient-centered care is one of the reasons Sunshine continues to thrive as a trusted community health center.
We are deeply grateful for everything Crickett has done—and continues to do—to strengthen Sunshine’s mission of providing accessible, compassionate, and high-quality health care for all.
🌻 Thank you, Crickett, for bridging the past, present, and future of Sunshine with your vision, leadership, and dedication.
Sunshine Community Health Center
1-907-376-2273 (PANGANGALAGA)
*Ang artikulong ito ay isinulat sa suporta ng AI*