HHA Resources
National Nurses Month Special: Saluting Years of Dedicated Service
May 11, 2022–This year, in celebration of National Nurses Month, VNSNY honors—and thanks— all of the nurses whose hard work and dedication make such a vital and colossal contribution, and difference, to the lives of our patients, clients and members across the organization. As a special highlight, Frontline spoke to the longest-serving nurses in each part of the organization. Click on their names to go directly to their stories or just scroll here to read them all! Myrna Agosto Susan Banner Myra Cohen Eloise Goldberg Lisa Miller Elisabeth Regis Karen Terry Betty Velez Nancy Washburn Deborah Wilson Myrna Agosto, Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Queens/Brooklyn Mobile Crisis Unit, Behavioral Health — 33 years at VNSNY “I see the possibilities.” As a psychiatric nurse practitioner in the Queens/Brooklyn Mobile Crisis Unit, Myrna Agosto spends her days working with vulnerable patients at very difficult times in their lives. “Typically, we’ll get a referral
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Find Out What’s Happening… News Briefs from Around VNSNY!
August 12, 2021–Welcome to the latest edition of “News Briefs from Around VNSNY”— featuring quick updates on recent news and virtual events across the organization. If you have a news brief you’d like to be considered for an upcoming edition, please click here to submit your idea. VNSNY Launches Oncology Hospice Program As part of its ongoing effort to provide our hospice patients with the best possible quality of life, VNSNY Hospice has launched a specialized support program for complex cancer patients and their loved ones. The program, which was piloted with a major New York City academic medical center, builds on VNSNY Hospice’s experience implementing similar programs for patients with congestive heart failure and COPD. Because people with terminal cancer and their families deal with high levels of fear, stress and complex needs, the program’s aim is to provide these patients and families with an extra layer of support. To help in the
August 2021 Patient Letters
August 4, 2021–The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to prove the resilience and dedication of our entire VNSNY staff. The following are excerpts from a few of the many recent letters, phone calls, and emails that we’ve received from grateful patients and family members that reflect an outstanding consumer experience. Manhattan— Along with her recent donation to VNSNY, a Manhattan resident sent a touching note about some important care that VNSNY provided to her a half-century ago. “My son, who recently turned 50, was born prematurely,” she wrote. “After his eventual discharge from Bellevue Hospital, we were visited by a VNSNY nurse. Her visit was very comforting and was much appreciated.” Another Manhattanite expressed his gratitude for Hospice nurse Alfred Sarte, stating how pleasant Alfred is to work with, and “how great he is at what he does.” “I wanted to take a moment to express my satisfaction with the Home Health
Here They Are, the Most Recent Patient Letters and CHOICE Member Commendations
August 4, 2021–The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to prove the resilience and dedication of our entire VNSNY staff. The following are excerpts from a few of the many recent letters, phone calls, and emails that we’ve received from grateful patients, plan members and family members that reflect an outstanding consumer experience. To read the August 2021 Patient Letters, click here. To read the August 2021 CHOICE Commendations, click here.
10 Things You May Be Surprised to Know About VNSNY Partners in Care
July 26, 2021–This article is the first in an ongoing series in which Frontline will be highlighting different lines of business, programs, departments and teams across the organization. Our aim in running this series is to enhance the VNSNY employee experience by spotlighting all parts of VNSNY, revealing things you may not know, and bringing our staff closer together. If you know of a VNSNY department or group that you think should be included in this series, please let us know by clicking here! Thanks to VNSNY Partners in Care home health aides (HHAs) and clinicians, thousands of older New Yorkers are able to stay in their homes rather than go into a nursing home or other facility. Here are 10 things you may not know about Partners in Care. 1. Partners in Care is the largest of VNSNY’s business units in terms of workforce size. In fact, the business line employs a
“30 Minutes with Dan” Celebrates Creativity and Innovation at VNSNY!
July 16, 2021–It’s summer and Dan is off to Brooklyn and Queens to talk to staff from across the organization about creativity and innovation — the seeds of growth. In this brand new episode, Dan chats with Ali Bartolone, Prateek Arora, Amanda Weiner, Myra Cohen, Suzette Toussaint and Vony Rakotoarivelo. Click here below to watch July’s episode! And here’s the “On the Go!” version of “30 Minutes with Dan.” We’ve broken out the July episode — in which Dan celebrates creativity and innovation — into short segments so you can watch it on the go! That’s a Fact! Around with Dan in Brooklyn! Group Discussion at the Site of the 1964-65 World’s Fair! High-5!
“Home Care Workers Are Essential,” Says Mayor de Blasio to 1199SEIU – Including VNSNY Partners in Care Staff – at City Hall Rally
July 14, 2021–VNSNY and Partners in Care joined nearly 2,000 home care workers from around the New York metropolitan region in lower Manhattan on Tuesday to raise our voices in support of the Better Care, Better Jobs Act, which is currently being considered by Congress. Spearheaded by 1199SEIU, the rally stressed the importance of home care workers as an essential workforce providing care for vulnerable New Yorkers who want to age safely and comfortably in their homes. The legislative vehicle for a $400 Billion proposal from the Biden Administration to invest in the caregiver economy, the Better Care Better Jobs Act, would increase Medicaid funding to states, enabling them to invest in-home- and community-based services, and would also raise the wages of home care workers, including home health aides. VNSNY is joining a broad group of stakeholders to lobby Congress to pass this critical legislation. Mayor Bill de Blasio made a special guest
“We Are All Heroes!” Don’t Miss this Hometown Heroes Parade Video!
July 13, 2021–On July 7th, VNSNY staff representing all parts of the organization marched through the Canyon of Heroes in lower Manhattan, in a historic parade celebrating the contributions of all essential workers throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Health care employees, transportation workers, food service professionals, and other groups gathered together to participate in what is now being called one of the largest ticker tape parades in the city’s history. Starting at Battery Park, VNSNY made their way up Broadway to City Hall, meeting with press, government officials, and countless grateful New Yorkers along the way. See for yourself! Click below to watch the moving video, and thanks to everyone who marched for representing VNSNY! The following are the VNSNY Heroes who participated in the parade: Partners in Care: Denise Mallette, Home Health Aide, Yeasmin Mehli, Home Health Aide, Elvira Ruiz, Home Health Aide, Veronica Ventura, Home Health Aide— CHHA: Eileen Baez, Registered
Breaking Video and Photos from Today’s Hometown Heroes Parade!
July 7, 2021–Breaking news! U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer meets up with the VNSNY heroes who are representing VNSNY at today’s Hometown Heroes Parade! Watch the video here below and see photos of today’s event as it unfolds. VNSNY Marching! And another marching video! Here are the photos!
Cheer on Your VNSNY Partners in Care Colleagues Today in New York City’s Hometown Heroes Parade!
July 7, 2021–Today, Wednesday, July 7th, starting at 11:00 a.m., a group of your colleagues will represent VNSNY in a parade honoring New York City’s essential workers for their efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. This Hometown Heroes Parade through the famous “Canyon of Heroes” in Downtown Manhattan is the City’s first ticker-tape parade in two years. If you watch it, either in person or virtually, you’ll see your colleagues marching proudly with the VNSNY banner — representing everyone at VNSNY who helped New York get through this public health emergency! Here are our VNSNY parade representatives: Partners in Care: Denise Mallette, Home Health Aide; Yeasmin Mehli, Home Health Aide; Elvira Ruiz, Home Health Aide; Veronica Ventura, Home Health Aide CHHA: Eileen Baez, Registered Nurse; Sarah Bravo, Occupational Therapist; David Friend, Physical Therapist; Michael Guglielmelli, Registered Nurse; Patricia Vieira, Physical Therapist CMHS: Collette Hendricks, Registered Nurse Hospice: Ruthlyn Marrett, Hospice Liaison, Clinical; KerryAnne