Ravá Blackwell Wins 2022 ESPRIT Award!

November 22, 2022–“I knew I wanted to make a difference.” “As a non-clinician who came to VNS Health in an entry-level position, I knew I wanted to make a difference,” says Ravá, “but I didn’t know what that would look like. However, as someone who loves to constantly learn, grow, and impact change, I was able to grow as a person and in my career here at VNS Health.” Today, as a manager of Intake Coordinators within the Business Development team, Ravá is recognized not only for her leadership skills, but for being an inspirational role model. She created a Physician POD (Point of Dispensing) unit to help improve customer service and reduce service delays. She’s also responsible for training and onboarding new hires to the organization, always encouraging them to further their education and professional growth. “I feel the biggest difference I make in the lives of patients and colleagues is

Cristiana Coronado Wins 2022 ESPRIT Award!

November 22, 2022–“Cristiana encourages us to exercise empathy and to treat others exactly as we would like to be treated.” An eight-year VNS Health veteran, Cristiana supervises a team of 48 Contact Center Shared Services (CCSS) representatives. Since these team members often provide the first direct contact that current or potential patients, clients or members have with VNS Health, their role is critical. Even a few minutes on the phone can have a dramatic impact, coloring a consumer’s entire experience with the organization. A good call addresses questions, finds solutions, and makes the caller feel valued and heard. “I have the pleasure to work in an environment where my voice is heard and my managers, peers, and team members are passionate about improving the consumer experience,” says Cristiana. “I appreciate my direct reports, who are always agile and willing to jump right in because they believe in VNS Health’s mission. Helping the

Follow Physical Therapy Professional of the Year Simon Chan as He Takes Us Through a Day in His Life!

October 27, 2022–Welcome to another edition of “A Day in the Life”—a Frontline series that follows team members from different parts of VNS Health as they go about a typical day at work. October is National Physical Therapy Month—which makes this the perfect time to highlight physical therapist Simon Chan, VNS Health’s 2022 Physical Therapy Professional of the Year. (Congratulations, Simon!) A 26-year VNS Health veteran, Simon tends to clients across Queens, doing home visits from Monday through Friday each week as well as occasional weekend assignments. We asked him to walk us through a sample day in his action-packed schedule. 7:20 a.m. The first thing I do after I wake up is take my kids to school. I get back home a little after 8:00 and have a big breakfast, because I eat lunch very late—and sometimes skip it altogether if I’m extra busy. While I’m having breakfast, I also schedule

Rosa Sorto Is Honored With The Home Care Excellence Award from VNS Health Personal Care

October 12, 2022–The VNS Health Home Care Excellence Award goes to a Home Health Aide who has been providing outstanding services to a Home Care client. This year’s award goes to Rosa Sorto, a VNS Health team member since 2010. As a home health aide, Rosa provides services to patients with many different needs, but she has a special place in her heart for her patients who are bedbound. “I may be the last person they will have contact with,” she explains, “so I want to make sure I take good care of them. You have to have a heart to do this work.” As a cancer survivor, Rosa also feels a special connection to patients who are facing challenges similar to what she faced. “I share my own experiences fighting cancer with them,” she says. “I talk to them about my hair growing back, and how I felt.” For Rosa, the

Erica Charles Is Honored With The Richard Flender Grace Award From VNS Health Personal Care

October 12, 2022–Richard Flender was an original member of VNS Health’s Personal Care Board of Directors, joining in 1983. He was elected Board Chair in 1987 and served in that capacity until 2004. Richard was extremely committed to the Personal Care team and was known for his grace, sophistication and polish. The Richard Flender Grace Award is for a home health aide who embodies these traits and shows grace under pressure in all endeavors—and stands for honesty, sincerity, integrity, and customer service. This year’s winner is Erica Charles, a VNS Health team member since 1995. Erica is always trying to help her patients with anything they need. “I feel I make a difference when my patients tell me ‘I am so happy you are here,’ or ‘You bring me joy,’” she says. Beyond taking care of each patient’s physical needs, Erica also takes care of their emotional needs by engaging them in

Bibi Mohamed Is Honored with The Private Care Services Excellence Award from VNS Health Personal Care

October 12, 2022–The Private Care Services Excellence Award recognizes a Home Health Aide who has made a significant difference in the care of a Private Care client.This year’s award goes to Bibi Mohamed, whose ties to VNS Health are both professional and personal. As Bibi explains, “VNS Health cared for my mother until she passed away at 105 years old. I appreciate you, VNS Health!” Bibi has been a VNS Health home health aide for 13 years, and she loves working here. “I work for the best organization,” she says, “and they look out for me! I always look forward to being with my patients because I love what I do!”Bibi always tries to do her best for her patients. “I may only be with a patient Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays,” she says, “but I give them my best.” When one of her patients with Alzheimer’s was sent to a nursing home

Juan Feliciano Is Honored With The Hospice Program Excellence Award from VNS Health Personal Care

October 12, 2022–This award goes to a Home Health Aide who’s shown outstanding service to a Hospice Care patient at the end stages of life. Hospice Care aides must be compassionate, considerate, and deeply caring. This year’s winner is Juan Feliciano, who has been working as a home health aide with VNS Health since 2010, and loves his job. “I love working with people,” he says. “I hold their hand and I like to be there for them.” In his years with VNS Health, Juan has been by his patients’ side during good times and hard times. “I had a very special patient with special needs who lost his mom, and he started calling me ‘Juanny’, which was his version of “Mommy,” he recalls. “I love working with adults and kids who have special needs. It is the most rewarding because they give so much back. We listen to music together and

Hui Qing Li Is Honored With The Health Plans Excellence Award from VNS Health Personal Care

October 12, 2022–The 2022 VNS Health Health Plans Excellence Award goes to a Home Health Aide who not only has been providing outstanding service to a Health Plans member, but is someone who is a passionate caregiver and who loves to assist all plan members and patients in need – especially the elderly. This year’s the award goes to Hui Qing Li. Hui has been a VNS Health team member since 2018. As a home health aide, she enjoys meeting new people, knowing that she can make a difference in their lives. “I enjoy assisting patients when they need help,” Qing Li says, “but it feels amazing to watch them do tasks on their own. I feel proud to see them make progress every day.” It is not only her patients who benefit from Qing Li’s visits. Qing Li has learned important life lessons from her patients, as well. “One of my

Norma Fernandez Is Honored With The Stephen V.R. Goodhue Spirit Award from VNS Health Personal Care

October 12, 2022–Stephen Goodhue joined the Personal Care Board of Directors in 1990. He was the Treasurer and Vice Chair of the Board, and from 2009 to 2010 he served as Board Chair. Stephen remained on the Board until 2011. He was extremely committed to Personal Care team, and was known for his generosity of spirit, amazing sense of humor and caring heart. To honor him each year, we select a Home Health Aide who embodies these same traits. This year’s Stephen Goodhue Spirit Award goes to Norma Fernandez. Norma has been a VNS Health home health aide since May of 2021, and she likes nothing better than to engage with her patients and cheer them up. “This makes my day go smoothly,” she explains. “It’s an honor to laugh and share stories with them. It makes me feel welcomed and part of the family. Listening to my patients’ stories and life

Employee Awards

Congrats to Katie Gildea, VNS Health’s 2023 SLP of the Year!

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