Celebration and Commemoration
Celebration and Commemoration
Happy Black History Month!
February 2, 2026–Dear Colleagues, February is Black History Month, when we celebrate the many important contributions and accomplishments of Black Americans throughout our country’s history—including those here at VNS Health. From VNS Health’s earliest days, Black Americans have played a key role in our organization, helping to improve the lives of millions of vulnerable New Yorkers. To give you just one example, VNS Health increased our number of Black nurses four-fold in the 1920s to help address healthcare disparities and expand our presence in the Black community. The above photo is of a nurse taken at around this time. While unfortunately this nurse’s name is lost to history, her empathy and compassion shines through in this image as she cares for a mother and her newborn. Over the following decades and through today, Black team members have driven meaningful impact for New Yorkers of all backgrounds, helping shape and uphold VNS Health’s long-standing
Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day
January 27, 2026–Dear Colleagues, Today, January 27, we observe International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It was on this date 81 years ago that Allied forces liberated the survivors of the Auschwitz concentration camp. This official day of remembrance memorializes the six million Jews—nearly two-thirds of Europe’s Jewish population—who were murdered during the Holocaust, along with millions of others targeted by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. I hope you’ll take a moment to pause and reflect on the meaning of this solemn anniversary and the lives lost in the Holocaust as we work to create a better, more humane world for all. Dan Dan Savitt President and Chief Executive Officer
Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 16, 2026–Dear Colleagues, This Monday, January 19th, we honor Martin Luther King, Jr. Day—a time to remember Dr. King’s life, his courage, and his unwavering commitment to advancing civil rights and human dignity. He believed deeply that our lives find their greatest meaning when we dedicate ourselves to something bigger than our own individual needs. As we reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, I also want to take a moment to recognize you. Each day, through your compassion, dedication, and hard work, you make a real difference in the lives of our patients, members, and clients. That commitment—to serve, to care, and to uplift others—is at the very heart of our mission. Your efforts strengthen our communities and bring hope where it’s needed most. In that way, you are carrying forward the spirit of service that Dr. King lived by. Thank you for all that you do, and for the difference you
Transgender Day of Remembrance
November 19, 2025–
Honoring Our Veterans
November 11, 2025–Dear Colleagues: Today is Veterans Day, when we honor the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of those who have served in the United States Armed Forces. November 11th marks the anniversary of the Armistice that ended World War I in 1918, and its meaning continues to resonate as we reflect on the many contributions of our country’s veterans. At VNS Health, we hold deep gratitude for our colleagues who are veterans. Your service inspires us, and your stories remind us of the strength and resilience that define our nation. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of our Veterans Program. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our amazing Veterans Program team—many of whom are veterans themselves—and to every VNS Health team member who provides compassionate care to our veteran patients, members and clients. Your work honors their legacy. I hope you’ll take a moment today to join me in recognizing and thanking the veterans around you for their service. Dan
See the Photos, a Video, and a Recording of the 2025 VNS Health Annual Awards Ceremony!
November 4, 2025–On Monday, October 27, team members from across the organization gathered for a very special evening to celebrate 38 team members who were honored at our 2025 VNS Health Annual Awards Ceremony. Over 400 people also watched the celebration simultaneously through a live-stream link. Now you can see the celebration photos, watch a video about the event, and watch a recording of the full celebration. Congratulations to all the team members who were honored! Here is a video highlighting the event with Charity Shubert reporting! Here is a recording of the awards ceremony: To see our 2025 VNS Health Award winners and read their stories, click here! To see a complete list of all the nominees, click here!
Announcing Our 2025 VNS Health Award Winners!
October 27, 2025–Read Their Stories and See the Full List of Nominees! Last night, on Monday, October 27, team members from across the organization were recognized and celebrated as the very best of the best in exemplifying VNS Health’s mission and Core Values of Empathy, Integrity and Agility! The event included those who had received awards earlier in the year, as well as presentations to the newly announced winners of the Phyllis Mills Living Legend Award, the ESPRIT Awards, and the VNS Health Outstanding Team Performance Award. To see all the team members who were nominated for these awards, click here. Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners! Click on their names here below to read more about them and their award. Home Care Nurse Preceptor Team 2025 Outstanding Team Performance Award Teresa Lin 2025 Phyllis Mills Living Legend Award (Click here for the finalists.) Michael Alcantara 2025 ESPRIT Award Jonelle
2025 Personal Care Honor Awards: Here’s the Full List – and Photos!
September 30, 2025–The 42nd Annual Personal Care Honor Awards Ceremony was held on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 in midtown Manhattan. Here below are photos of the festive event as well as a complete list of all the Personal Care team members who received Honor Awards. Congratulations to all the winners! Sally Kirton, HHA Supervisor, received the VNS Health Rewards Supervisor Superstar Award. Sally has some of the most challenging cases to fill, yet she and her team achieve remarkable results. She’s also a champion of VNS Health Rewards, recognizing her team often and ensuring that VNS Health’s Home Health Aides know their work matters. She is often praised for her kindness, patience, and compassion — she is truly a caregiver to caregivers. Diana Isabel Cuero Marroquin, HHA, won the VNS Health Rewards Hiring Wizard Award for being, quite simply, a hiring hero! Diana has referred seven new aides to VNS Health —
Celebrating Our Rehabilitation Therapists Today and Every Day!
September 15, 2025–September features National Rehabilitation Awareness Week—but since a week isn’t long enough to honor our outstanding rehab team, here at VNS Health, we’re celebrating our more than 375 Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech-Language Pathologists during the entire month of September! As part of our 2025 celebration, we’re hosting events in all five NYC boroughs as well as Long Island and Westchester. To view photos of our rehab celebrations, click on the links below: Long Island — September 9 Queens — September 11 Staten Island — September 16 Brooklyn – September 17 Manhattan — September 18 Bronx — September 25 Westchester — September 30