January 2018 Patient Letters

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. Together, they reflect the outstanding work done each and every day by VNSNY’s entire frontline staff.

Bronx—A Bronx resident who is a client of VNSNY’s Health Home program—a support program administered by VNSNY Community Mental Health Services for individuals dealing with mental illness and substance abuse—sent a letter of appreciation to the Health Home staff for their support. “I would like to express my thanks to the VNSNY Care Management team for all that you do and have done,” the client wrote. “I just celebrated my 60th birthday last Friday, and I am so emotional as I think back on how I may not have made it to this milestone birthday if it had not been for the VNSNY team. When I started working with your team nine years ago, I had a 30-years-plus history of using drugs and over 20 arrests. When I met Noel Hill, my care manager, I had only been in recovery for two-and-a-half months. She helped me tremendously through my recovery process—keeping it real, helping me get a shared apartment, and then finally assisting me to move into my own apartment. The women’s group run by program coordinator Nicola Redway taught me to care for myself and how to fit back into the community. I know without your help and support, I may have been in jail, dead or in an institution.”

In addition to Noel and Nicola, the client also expressed special thanks to program coordinators Georgiana Cemento, Adam Seiz and Judith Julceus, care manager Ernest Grimes, business manager Bernadine Edwards, and care navigator Judy Edwards-Wigfall, as well as “all the other staff that have assisted me.” She added, “Without all of you, a lot of us clients would not be where we are today.”

(Note: Sadly, after working at VNSNY since 2001, Health Home care manager Noel Hill passed away last year while on a health-related leave of absence. “Noel’s passing was a tremendous loss to her colleagues and her clients,” says Manisha Vijayaraghavan, Director of the VNSNY Health Home program.)

Brooklyn—A Brooklyn patient recovering from knee replacement surgery penned a letter praising the care she received from physical therapist Ray Northern. “For the past few weeks Mr. Northern has been very instrumental in assisting me on my road to recovery,” the patient wrote. “He worked diligently with me, guiding me through various exercises to strengthen my knee. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Mr. Northern for his professionalism and his courtesy, as well as for always being on time. Your agency must be exceptionally proud to have him as an employee.”

Another Brooklyn patient and her family sent a note of thanks to physical therapist Abigail Fortune for the care she provided. “You are an amazing person in your profession,” they wrote. “Blessings your way!”

Manhattan—A Manhattan resident who recently underwent a hip replacement procedure sent an e-mail complimenting the work of physical therapist Atrey Kansara. “I wanted to take a moment and let you both know how much I appreciated working with Atrey as my physical therapist after my surgery,” she wrote. “I was dealing with a full new hip and cysts in my pelvis and was released only after a few days, so I was nervous. But Atrey came to work with me the next day and his positive attitude helped to put me at ease right away. He was encouraging and compassionate, and really boosted my morale. He made sure I was comfortable with the exercises and was a great cheerleader, ensuring that I would want to keep at them. He graciously took his time with me, so I never felt rushed. I really looked forward to his visits. Working with Atrey made me very thankful for the existence of VNSNY—thank you.”

“I was recently diagnosed with a debilitating hip problem,” wrote another patient. “In-home physical therapist was recommended in an effort to get me back on my feet. I was lucky to have physical therapist Jerry Kulak assigned to my case. He is kind, knowledgeable and was a great help in motivating me to keep strong and moving. I credit him with helping me strengthen my legs and my body in general. VNSNY is lucky to have him.”

Yet another Manhattan patient phoned to praise nurse Kathleen Wendt for the job she did changing her bandage. “Kathleen did everything so beautifully,” said the patient. “She is a wonderful nurse. I appreciate her visit in such bad weather, and would like to say ‘thank you’!”

Nassau—A Nassau patient wrote to express her appreciation for the care provided by physical therapist Kelly Ryan. “I am extremely grateful for Kelly’s visits and look forward to them, because Kelly’s presence brightens my day,” she noted. “I consider myself lucky to have worked with her. My surgeon told me that I’ve progressed as much in just four weeks as most patients do in two-and-a-half months. Thank you so much!”

Queens—A Queens patient sent an e-mail complimenting physical therapist Elissa Resuello. “Elisa is magnificent,” she wrote. “She pushes me to complete my exercises and then some. If I could keep Elisa with me always, I would!”

Another e-mail from a Queens patient praised nurse Marie Crosswell, stating that Marie was “wonderful and helpful” and “very thorough,” and that she was “very happy with the service.”

Staten Island—A patient with Parkinson’s disease phoned to express his thanks to physical therapist Ibijoke “Betty” Ayetiwa. “She shines in personality and treatment,” he said. “The exercises she provided made me feel a lot better with my Parkinson’s. She took time to explain to me the correct way to exercise, and stayed alongside me every step of the way to ensure that I was doing the exercises correctly. I think she is fabulous!”