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March 28, 2024

Catch Up on July’s VNS Health Media Stories! 

August 3, 2022
July Edition: A special story about one of our smallest (and furriest!) hospice volunteers…celebrating diversity in home care…and a spotlight on team members in Riverdale.

It’s not just the weather that’s heating up lately at VNS Health. With powerful and inspiring stories all over the news, our team members are getting their day in the sun! From a special therapy dog helping hospice patients, team members on the importance of culturally competent care, to expert advice on helping our neighbors, our stories are making a big impact. Find out more below. 

WPIX11 Shares Uplifting Story about Special Pair of VNS Health Volunteers

A new story on WPIX11 put the spotlight on an inspiring pair of volunteers with the Hospice Care team from VNS Health, Ellen Landress-Bowkett and their partner, Chicken the therapy dog. Ellen shared how they and Chicken became involved with VNS Health and how Chicken’s special skills have given hope and calm to people going through some of life’s toughest moments. In addition, Gail Sirota, VNS Health Volunteer Services Manager, brought thoughtful perspective on the importance of hospice volunteers like Ellen and Chicken. Watch the piece on Frontline here!

WPIX 11.com website is Tribune Broadcasting’s New York flagship station. The site receives 1.872 million monthly visits and is the #1 affiliate of the CW Television Network.

The Riverdale Press Spotlights Home Health Nursing, Featuring Shannon Whittington, Clinical Director of the Gender Affirmation Program, and Nurse Desiree Gibson

The Riverdale Press published an insightful story on why home health care, especially nursing, matters more than ever. The piece included interviews with Shannon Whittington, clinical director of the Gender Affirmation Program, on the program’s efforts to provide patient-centered care to transgender and nonbinary individuals. In addition, the story included takeaways from home health nurse Desiree Gibson, on why they chose to work in home health, and the benefits for patients. Read the whole piece here

The Riverdale Press is a weekly newspaper for residents in Northwest Bronx. The editorial mission is to provide the community with accurate and up-to-date local news and information, reaching an audience of 30,691.

VNS Health Advice on Staying Cool During Heatwaves featured in The Manhattan Voice 

As New York gets hit with brutal heatwaves this summer, a new piece in The Manhattan Voice provides advice on simple ways to beat the heat. In particular, the piece focuses on the threats high temperatures pose for the aging population and chronically ill, and the importance of protecting our neighbors, helping them safe and healthy.  Read the piece on Frontline here.

The Manhattan Voice is the #1 source for local news and health tips covering Manhattan. This article also ran in the online and print versions of Your Health Voice, Bronx Voiceand Queens Voice for a total print circulation of 40,000 and 47,520 unique visitors per month.

NYC Patch Story on the Importance of Diversity in Home Health Care Features VNS Health Team Members 

A new story for New York City Patch, “‘We’re Your Neighbors’—Home Health Workers Find Diversity Makes for Stronger Health Care,” examines the importance of having a diverse workforce in home health organizations. The piece includes unique takeaways from hospice nurse Clarissa Santos and spiritual counselor Fernando Otero on their work in the Bronx with the Latino/a community, as well as perspective from Wai Kiu Man, a social worker at the VNS Health Chinatown NORC, behavioral health nurse John Tawiah, and occupational therapist Umesh Kadam, on how their personal experiences have made them better at their job. Read the whole piece on Frontline here.

Patch is a hyperlocal news platform in more than 1,200 communities nationwide. With nearly one million monthly page views, Patch NYC’s page views are among the highest in the network.