news

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 23, 2023
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeff Van Ness, 202-204-7515; jvanness@communityplans.net

ANA STENERSEN OF CENCAL HEALTH WINS 
2023 MAKING A DIFFERENCE AWARD

WASHINGTON—The Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) honored Ana Stenersen of CenCal Health with the organization’s Making a Difference Award.  

The Making a Difference Award recognizes an employee of a member plan who goes above and beyond his or her job’s responsibilities to improve and fulfill needs in their communities and support underserved community members.  

Ms. Stenersen, the Associate Director for Utilization Management at CenCal Health, was recognized for extending her support beyond traditional healthcare and into the complex social factors that impact wellness – known as Whole Person Care and the Whole Child Model.  Promoting access to pediatric care for community members has defined much of Ms. Stenersen’s career. Her specialty in this discipline began in the early 2000’s and has fueled the successful implementation of programs for distinct county agencies and CenCal Health.  

Ms. Stenersen serves as Chair of CenCal Health’s California Children’s Services (CCS) Family Advisory Committee. The committee discusses matters that affect CCS members, many of which are from low-income backgrounds, addresses issues experienced by families, and ensures they stay connected with CenCal Health and the CCS community. Ms. Stenersen’s leadership has led to increased referral and identification rates for CenCal Health members potentially eligible for CCS services.  

“Ms. Stenersen has committed her 25-year career in nursing and healthcare administration to addressing the needs of vulnerable individuals – including children and youth with debilitating medical conditions such as cancer, cerebral palsy, and hemophilia,” said CenCal Health CEO Marina Owen. “She provides members with exemplary care, advocates for them, and leads other like-minded professionals.”  

“Ms. Stenersen’s passion exemplifies what the Making a Difference Award is all about,” said Enrique Martinez-Vidal, ACAP Vice President for Quality and Operations. “Addressing the social determinants of health is a key priority of ACAP’s and has been at the forefront of Ms. Stenersen’s work at CenCal Health. Her dedication to helping patients and improving the quality of care of thousands is why we honor her today.”  

Ms. Stenersen is also an advisory board member of the Help Me Grow program focusing on early screening and identification of developmental issues for children under three in CenCal Health’s service areas.  She began her career in 1998 as a registered nurse in Redlands, California.  

About CenCal Health:
CenCal Health is the local Medi-Cal health plan that partners with over 1,500 local physicians, hospitals, and other providers in delivering health care services to over 235,000 members in its two-county service area. Marking 40 years of serving the most vulnerable, CenCal Health prioritizes cultivating community partnerships; advancing quality and health equity; expanding its service role and reach in the community; and organizing for impact and effectiveness. With a vision to be a trusted leader in advancing health equity so that the communities we serve thrive and achieve optimal health, CenCal Health invites the public to review its 2023-2025 Strategic Plan at cencalhealth.org/strategicplan.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

About ACAP:
ACAP represents 80 health plans, which collectively provide health coverage to more than 25 million people. Safety Net Health Plans serve their members through Medicaid, Medicare, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the Marketplace and other publicly sponsored health programs. For more information, visit www.communityplans.net. 

# # #