PHS Updates & Announcements
PHS — All Sites
Transition from Skype to Microsoft Teams
We're continuing our transition from Skype to Microsoft Teams and based on your feedback, we're extending the timeline to ensure everyone has the support they need. Microsoft Teams will soon be our single platform for chat, calls, meetings, and collaboration — making communication more streamlined and reducing the need to manage multiple tools.
Updated Timeline: Skype will be fully disabled on May 1, 2026.
What To Do Now
To stay connected and avoid disruption:
- Start using Microsoft Teams® for your daily communication
- Complete the required Teams® training in Relias (to be assigned next week)
- Explore step-by-step guides and tips in the M365 Hub
How You Can Learn
🎥 Self-Paced
Training with assessment in Relias — required
💻 Live Virtual
Sessions schedule to be provided next week
Action Required: Complete required Teams® training in Relias once assigned next week. Start using Teams® for daily communication now to avoid disruption when Skype is disabled on May 1, 2026.
What to Expect Next Week
- Training assignment released in Relias
- Schedule of virtual training sessions
- New job aids, FAQs, and quick tips added to the M365 Hub
Our goal is to make this transition practical, supported, and successful for everyone. Your feedback directly shaped this updated approach — please keep it coming. If you run into any issues, submit a Help Desk ticket.
Sites
🔬 Project Catalyst Learning Spotlight
Scheduling & Registration: OCHIN Epic — Simpler. Faster. More Intuitive.
We're reducing the extra steps and guesswork. With Epic, you'll still follow the same processes — but with fewer clicks and a system that supports you along the way to set you up for success.
If you schedule appointments every day, here are the specific things that get easier — not in theory, but in your actual workflow.
1
1 Click to Start Any Booking — "Book It"
Replaces double-clicking a slot and then pressing Modify to fix the appointment type. The visit type is selected up front — no going back to adjust.
2
Built-In Checklist — Nothing Gets Skipped
A right-panel checklist walks you through every section — demographics, insurance, payments — visible the whole time. No more mental checklist or going back to fix a missed field.
3
One Checkmark — Insurance E-Verification
E-verify is built into the scheduling close. A single checkmark confirms coverage. No switching screens or running it separately after the appointment is booked.
4
OCHIN-Wide Patient Search
Epic searches across all OCHIN sites — not just those in the PHS environment — in case patients have a chart within the collaborative. In Athena, we only had access to search PHS. Fewer dead ends. Fewer duplicate charts created by mistake.
5
One Session — New Patient + Booking Together
Mini-registration happens inside scheduling. You're no longer leaving the screen to register then coming back to book. Create the chart and schedule the appointment without switching.
What Stays Exactly the Same:
- Two patient identifiers always required
- Offer 3 appointment options
- Notes field cannot be blank
- New vs. established patient criteria unchanged
- BH and MNT still must link to a same-day provider appointment
- IFC Residents Roster and Sylvan Registry check unchanged
- Closing script unchanged
The One Thing That Will Feel Different on Day One:
The buttons have new names. "Book It" is your entry point. "Add a Visit" is where you pick the visit type. "Schedule" appears where "Save" used to be. The logic behind every step is identical — training will walk through the clicks before go-live.
The buttons have new names. "Book It" is your entry point. "Add a Visit" is where you pick the visit type. "Schedule" appears where "Save" used to be. The logic behind every step is identical — training will walk through the clicks before go-live.
PHS — All Sites
🚀 Project Catalyst Update
Go-Live: August 4, 2026
We are pleased to share that Project Catalyst continues to remain on track across all workstreams including testing, training, IT infrastructure, and data conversion. This reflects strong coordination across Core teams and Subcommittees as we move through key milestones.
End User Training
1
April 27
Training releases begin
2
May 15
All END USER staff must schedule live training by this date
3
May 15 – July 31
Schedule and attend live training sessions
4
August 4
🎉 Go-Live!
Reminder: Required eLearning modules must be completed before attending live training. Please work with your supervisor to secure protected time.
Training Exceptions
Clinicians — Personalization Lab
Sessions will open approximately 2 weeks prior to go-live. No action needed at this time.
Executive Suite (C-Suite)
Reporting sessions scheduled post go-live as 1:1 sessions with OCHIN and executive leaders. No action needed at this time.
Onsite Support Schedule
Epic Application Specialists will provide onsite support for OCHIN account setup and readiness.
Week of April 27 (excluding 4/28)
Charles Drew | Moncure | Pittsboro PACE | Prospect Hill | Siler | Admin
Week of May 4 (excluding 5/8)
Carrboro | Chapel Hill | Burlington PACE | Burlington CHC | Scott | MHU
If your site is not covered during its scheduled visit, virtual office hours will be available the week of May 11 to ensure everyone has access to support. Office Hours for OCHIN account setup support will be shared the week of May 11–15.
Central Information Hub
Your single place for everything Project Catalyst — FAQs, training updates, key resources, and ongoing guidance. Start here first.
PHS Updates & Announcements
PHS — All Sites
CAPTRUST Financial Advisors
CAPTRUST Financial Advisors — the independent financial advisory firm that works on the Piedmont Health Services Retirement & Matching Savings Program — will be conducting dedicated virtual consultations on April 23rd.
If interested in scheduling a meeting, please use the link below. If no appointments are available, click here to book a virtual appointment with the At Work Desk:
Employee Health Clinic Scheduling
This is a friendly reminder regarding the two official ways to schedule an appointment with Employee Health:
📱 Text (Preferred)
(704) 471-6008
📞 Call Center
(888) 200-7001
Please do not contact the EH Provider directly via IM or email for scheduling. Thank you for your cooperation!
Expanded BLS & First Aid Renewal Classes
We are expanding our BLS and First Aid certification classes to better serve you! With the addition of new instructors, we are now able to offer 3–5 classes per month, providing more flexibility for scheduling your renewal.
📍 Administrative Office
Original location — still available for your renewal class
📍 NEW: PACE Pittsboro
163 Chatham Business Dr, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Friendly Reminder — Employee Pulse Survey is Open
If you were hired prior to January 10, 2026, you should have received an email from ReconMR ([email protected]) with the subject line: "We want to hear from you: Piedmont Health Services Employee Engagement Survey."
If you don't see it, check your spam or junk folder. The survey takes just about five minutes to complete and your honest feedback is incredibly valuable. If you did not receive the survey link, please contact [email protected] for assistance.
Once the survey closes, HR will visit each site to share results and continue the conversation. Every response matters.
Kudos Corner: Celebrating Our Team
PHS — All Sites
🎉 PIONEERRx Conversion Complete!
Our PIONEERRx conversion is complete!!! SO many thanks to our amazing pharmacy team, IT team, and the PioneerRx trainers who spent the week with us to ensure it was a success. There are many more bells and whistles to come — including online payments, an app to communicate with the pharmacy team, and more! Please stop by and say hello and check on your pharmacy team next week as we continue to acclimate to this new system. This is a huge accomplishment and we are immensely proud of all of you!
🦷 March's Everyday Hero: Dr. Cory Zirkel
Cory Zirkel continues to be the driving force behind the success of our dental service line. From clinical care to operations, he leads with a hands-on, solutions-focused approach — keeping workflows smooth, supporting his team, and stepping in wherever needed. During a recent leadership transition, Dr. Zirkel went above and beyond by representing dental at key meetings and serving as a super user for the Epic rollout, helping guide others through change. Thank you, Dr. Zirkel, for being the steady presence that keeps our mission moving forward.
🎓 Spotlight Celebration: Karen Fraizer
Congratulations to Karen Fraizer, who has officially earned her Associate's Degree in Worship Arts Leadership as of April 11, 2026! This is an incredible accomplishment that reflects Karen's dedication, passion, and commitment to personal and professional growth. Please join us in congratulating Karen on this well-deserved achievement! 👏
👶 Baby Oral Health Presentation Kudos
Kudos to Dr. Amy Stewart and the Carrboro Community Health Center team for being the second site to partner with Dental for the Baby Oral Health presentation across the entire site! Your engagement and commitment to whole-person care are truly appreciated. If your site is interested in hosting a Baby Oral Health presentation, please reach out to your dental department or dental leadership — we look forward to partnering with you!
Every week, we witness remarkable acts of dedication, creativity, and compassion throughout our organization. While we can't recognize everyone individually, please know that your contributions matter deeply — whether you're interfacing directly with patients, supporting operations behind the scenes, or leading teams through change. You are essential to our success.
Looking Ahead Together
As we close out another productive week, I'm filled with gratitude for the professionalism, resilience, and heart that each of you brings to this important work. The challenges we face in serving vulnerable populations are real and complex, yet your unwavering commitment to our mission gives me confidence that we will continue to make meaningful differences in people's lives.
This week is a powerful reminder of why we show up — not just for the work, but for the people behind it. Every appointment kept, every prescription filled, every patient heard, every team member who went the extra mile has contributed to something far greater than any single task. The care we provide ripples outward in ways we may never fully see, but it is felt — deeply and profoundly — by the communities we serve. Let's carry that purpose into the weekend and return next week renewed, energized, and ready to make a difference all over again. You are Piedmont Health Services — and that means something.
"Together, we heal. Together, we grow. Thank you for all that you do — see you next week!Juntos sanamos. Juntos crecemos. Gracias por todo lo que hacen — ¡nos vemos la próxima semana!"
With gratitude,
Daniella Jaimes-Colina, PhD, MBA, FACHE
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer
