Ms. Terri Moncus has been a tireless worker at the Albany Area Primary Health Care, Inc. since 1996. In 2002, she relocated to the Rural Model Clinic to focus on care management for individuals living with HIV. It seems that quality was second nature to Terri because as soon as she assumed the duties of case manager, she started tracking quality measures for the Rural Model Clinic and implemented patient feedback surveys.

Over time, Terri has been responsible for numerous improvements at the Rural Model Clinic. Tracking measures and implementing patient surveys are just 2 aspects of Terri's quality work. She recognized the need to obtain additional education and obtained a Counselors Certification in HIV/AIDS Program. She regularly attends, and is asked to present at, state and national meetings on various aspects of HIV/AIDS. She was also instrumental in transitioning to Quantiferon testing from TST skin testing for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) at the Rural Clinic. Quantiferon require just one visit as opposed to TST skin testing which requires two visits. In just the first year alone, her effort led to a 45% improvement rate in TB testing. Recognizing that patients were not returning to have their TB test read in part because some had to travel up to two hours to the clinic. "I was looking for a way to do something better" Terri stated, and she found one. "We have found 100 patients with LBTI" who may or may not have ever known they were infected.

Ms. Moncus actively works with staff at all levels to promote quality health care and helps promote patient awareness and community activity within the Rural Model Clinic as well. Ms. Moncus is a member of the organization's Quality Improvement Committee and provides detailed feedback on all quality improvement activities at the Rural Clinic. Terri is also a quality improvement force within the larger organization - Albany Area Primary Health Care. "I am interacting with all the different groups in the Albany Area Primary Health Care" stated Terri. The staff value Terri's input and see her as a source of important information. She tries to be the "point person keeping up with HRSA / HAB recommendations" to keep staff informed.

Terri's commitment and selflessness is best summarized by this statement in a recent communication about her NQC Quality of Care Award: "...I could not have done any of this without the support and hard work of all the staff of the Rural  Model Clinic. I am proud to say that as a group we are committed to quality and that has made my job a pleasure!"