January 2022 Patient Letters
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to prove how resilient, dedicated and just plain amazing the entire VNSNY team is! The following are excerpts from a few of the many recent letters, phone calls, and emails we’ve received from grateful patients and clients as well as family members that reflect an outstanding consumer experience.
To find by region, click below:
Guiding Us with a Smile and Empathy
Patricia Johnson
“I would like to submit some words of kindness for our branch manager Patricia Johnson from her staff,” wrote BSC/Team Assistant Lisa Burrell. “She has aided us all during the hard times and throughout workdays with so much kindness—guiding us with a smile and empathy!”
Truly Caring About Patients
A Bronx patient included a note along with a donation to VNSNY, thanking social worker Bridgette Wynter for helping her set up her Medicaid benefits. “I can now have a home attendant help me with my daily living!” wrote the patient. “Thank you and may God bless you dearly—you truly care about your patients!”
The Best Care and the Cream of the Crop
Sheryl Jarvis
“It is with great sadness to inform you that my husband passed away,” wrote the wife of a Bronx patient in a letter accompanying a donation to VNSNY. “The past service provided to him by VNSNY was excellent.” The team of caregivers assigned to his case consisted of nurse Sheryl Jarvis, Coordinator of Physical Therapy Services Lovejoy Ringor, social worker Bridgette Wynter, physical therapy Assistant Alison Thomasos, speech-language pathologist Diana Zavala, and physical therapist Franklin Hife. “May you continue to provide the best care and continue to hire the cream of the crop to represent your agency,” the wife added.
One of the Sweetest People I’ve Ever Met
“After finding out about my pregnancy at the hospital, I was given information about VNSNY’s Nurse-Family Partnership,” wrote a first-time mother from the Bronx. “I was skeptical but decided to give it a try because I truly needed all the help and guidance I could get. I made the call and was immediately assigned nurse Dyna Laurent-Charles—one of the sweetest people I have ever met! She treated me like a friend and not a client. She cared for me and wouldn’t hesitate to guide me on any question I had through childbirth. I am so grateful for the opportunity to benefit from this program, and I am especially thankful to Dyna. My son and I love her and will miss her very much. I honestly do not know where I would be as a mother without all of her help.”
Impeccable Work
A Bronx Partners in Care Client called to praise for home health aide Marisol Tejada. “Her work is impeccable,” said the client.
Very Efficient
The daughter of another Bronx Partners in Care client phoned to say that home health aide Batenin Kone was both “very efficient” and “an excellent worker” in caring for her mother.
A Super Loving Person
A Partners in Care client called to say how pleased she was by the service provided to her by home health aide Jasmine Ramos. “She is a super loving person” said the patient, who went on to praise Jasmine’s treatment and requesting her for future services.
Helping People in Their Time of Need
The daughter of a Brooklyn patient wrote a letter accompanying a donation to VNSNY in memory of her father. “I am sending this in his name because VNSNY services were always great to my dad, and also to my mom who passed away in 2014,” wrote the daughter. “Thank you for all you do to help people in their time of need.”
Truly Unique
“Please know that I am really at a loss for words regarding psychiatric social worker Calvin Connell, who was assigned to my nephew,” wrote the uncle of a Brooklyn Community Mental Health Services client in a Facebook message. “His patience, kindness, professional advice and general demeanor are truly unique. He takes his job so very seriously—I am certain that he blesses countless people!”
Compassionate, Careful, and Very Kind
The daughter of a Brooklyn Partners in Care client called to give positive feedback for home health aide Carlotta Rodney, stating that she was “compassionate, careful, and very kind” towards her mother.
Outstanding Duo
CHOICE Provider Services Supervisor Francine Noyan called to praise the work of home health aides Erica Sandiford and Charline Whyte. Francine stated that the duo was outstanding in caring for her mother while she was in hospice care, and that her mother has since left hospice and is thriving.
Manhattan
Providing Emotional Support in the Darkest of Hours
“I am writing to commend my husband’s home health aide for over a year, Marie Gaye,” wrote the wife of a Manhattan patient. “Not only was she professional, efficient and responsible, but she was kind and caring. Marie saw my husband through several medical crises, and also offered me emotional support in my darkest hours. He has recovered in large part due to her care. She is a gem and a credit to Partners in Care!” The wife also thanked Marie’s supervisor Jennifer Luciano for her help throughout her husband’s recovery.
True Angels
The sister of a Manhattan hospice patient wrote a letter accompanying a donation to VNSNY following the passing of her sibling. “I really do not know how to thank VNSNY Hospice for the love and care my sister received, as well as how I was taken care of too,” she wrote. “You are all true angels.”
Inspiring a Full Recovery Mindset
“I underwent my second total knee replacement, and specifically requested Al Macuto as my visiting physical therapist because he was so critical to my recovery when I underwent my first total knee replacement,” wrote another Manhattan patient. “As he was during my first surgery, Al was patient, kind, and helpful in allaying pain and helping me to acquire the mindset necessary to make strides toward full recovery.”
Swift Service and Great Communication
A Manhattan patient left a wonderful comment on Facebook regarding the care she received following hip replacement surgery. “I would like to cheer the Visiting Nurse Service of New York—from the swift service and great communication, to the one-on-one in-home physical therapy and nursing care,” the patient wrote. “I want to give special thanks to my physical therapist Ruth Publik. Her positive attitude, cheerleader vibe and warm personality truly made my experience the best it could be. I highly recommend her!
Going Above and Beyond
“Talk about going above and beyond!” wrote Vice President of Regional Patient Care Marsha Ramos, in an email commending Clinical Field Manager Alicia Melia Gagne-Gituffo. “Melia jumped into the field to help her staff today, as we have no available nurses from 14th Street down, even though she lives very far away,” wrote Marsha. “Thanks, Melia, for always being an amazing manager, colleague and patient advocate.”
Amazing
A Manhattan patient emailed to praise her care team: Clinical Field Manager Nicola Amofa, nurse Susan Stopper, and physical therapist Po-ling Hu. “Nicola went far beyond her call to assist me in every way, and after some trial visits she assigned me Susan and Po-ling, who were amazing. Please acknowledge all of them—VNSNY is very lucky and so are their patients!” The wife of another patient wrote to say “how truly wonderful” Po-ling had been as her husband’s visiting physical therapist—noting, “He is so nice, caring and very thorough. My husband has made great progress, which is attributable to Po-ling’s professional expertise and therapy. We are so fortunate to have him!”
Professional, Cheerful and Kind
“Due to last minute plans after cataract surgery, I needed an escort,” wrote a Manhattan patient. “I called VNSNY and was immediately sent home health aide Guadalupe Guterrez. It was a pleasure to have her come home with me!” The patient commended Guadalupe for being professional, cheerful and kind. “What a remarkable person! I hope she is successful as she continues on her career path and is recognized for her hard work and dedication.”
Impeccable Service, Wonderful Personality
A Manhattan Partners in Care client called to praise the work of home health aide Taquana Hill. “Her service is impeccable, and her personality is wonderful,” said the client.
Amazing Clinical Team
Dani Calderon
“I’m calling to say that social worker Dani Calderon, nurse Antoinette Miller-Brown, and the whole clinical team have been amazing!” said one Manhattan hospice patient. “Please let their Hospice Team Manager Nadine Raman know—and thanks again to everyone!” She also commended Contact Center agent Teena Cromartie-Cadet, adding that “customer service has been wonderful every time I call in!”
Effective, Personable, Motivational and Inspirational
Sean Sullivan
“I would like to let you know that physical therapist Sean Sullivan is very effective, personable, motivational and inspirational,” said another Manhattan patient. “He makes me feel better!”
A Great Person
“Nurse Bridget McQuilkin is amazing,” said the daughter of a Manhattan patient. “She is a great person and has assisted us so much—Bridgette has been the best nurse we’ve ever had!”
Came In, Took Charge, and Was Wonderful
A Partners in Care client called to express how comfortable she felt with home health aide Eva Sanchez. “She came in, took charge, and was wonderful!” said the patient.
A Special Person
A speech-language pathologist at Mount Sinai Morningside wrote a wonderful letter of recognition for hospice home health aide Colleen Wilkinson, with whom she shared a patient. “As a clinician of 30 years, I am aware of the average and the exceptional in the caregiver community,” she said. “Colleen has demonstrated extraordinary care, empathy and attention to her patient over the course of four and a half months. I wish to acknowledge her consistent smile, happy and positive attitude, flexible approach and perpetual patient respect. It takes a special person to work in the field of hospice and Colleen is one of these people!”
So Engaging
“Home Health Aide Joanne Wood Kiley was so engaging and lifted my aunt’s spirit,” said the niece of a Partners in Care Client, who called in to request subsequent visits from Joanne.
Fantastic
The husband of a Manhattan Partners in Care client phoned to commend the work of home health aide Zulma Valentin, noting that she was “fantastic.”
Kudos
Another Manhattan client called to give kudos to home health aide Barbara Galantowicz for providing excellent care.
Excellent Assistance
A Manhattan hospice patient called to commend nurse Laura Allison for going “above and beyond” and providing excellent assistance during a home visit.
Five-Plus Stars
“Physical therapist Manuel Espino III did a wonderful job,” said another Manhattan patient. “He is top-notch, down to earth, and does not cut corners. I give him five-plus stars!”
Wonderful
A hospice patient called to thank everyone at VNSNY for doing “a great job.” “Everyone has been wonderful,” said the patient, who took the time to especially thank nurses Jason Bauer and Matthew Fisher.
Nassau
Top Notch
Erica Reidel
After undergoing a total knee replacement, CHOICE Clinical Evaluation Manager Anne McAuliffe wrote a touching letter about the care she received from physical therapists Erica Riedel and Ma Theresa Escobia. “Having not experienced VNSNY home care services in the past, it has been eye opening,” wrote Anne. “I would like to commend my therapists for their professional care—they provide more than therapy. Both Erica and Ma Theresa give hope, encouragement, and support, and demonstrate the core values of VNSNY. I am proud to be part of an organization that is so top-notch!”
Outstanding
Another Nassau patient called to compliment occupational therapist Jennifer McCaffrey, nurses Nancy Girlando and Robert Yore, and physical therapist Alicia Kennedy. He described the group as “outstanding” and expressed how happy he was with VNSNY’s services.
Queens
In Good Hands
A patient wrote a letter thanking physical therapist David Friend for his kindness and professionalism in providing care following two knee replacement surgeries. “From the very first session with him, I knew I was in good hands,” the patient recalled. “He worked me hard and always left me with assignments and exercises to do, which I really appreciated! When I began outpatient physical therapy, it was noted that after six visits with David, my range of motion was already at 95%. I am going back to work earlier than expected and I give much of the credit to him. Thank you for sending David my way!”
The Perfect Person
The daughter of a Queens Partners in Care client called to praise the work of home health aide Ihuma Martina. “Ihuma is the perfect person to communicate with my mother,” said the patient, who described her services as “excellent.”
Staten Island
A Job Well Done
The daughter of a Staten Island patient called to commend the work of nurse Carol Spano-Cavallino following a home visit. She stated that Carol was “amazing,” going above and beyond the call of duty as a professional. “She should be commented for a job well done!” the daughter added.
Suffolk
A Ray of Light
“There’s not enough time or words to truly express how home health aide Santa Campos-Bonilla blesses our home daily,” wrote the niece of a Partners in Care client. “She is a ray of light— faithful, disciplined, always on time, always doing more than required. She never complains and is always smiling, always joyful. I’m inspired to do better in my own life and responsibilities just from being around her!”
Everyone Can Depend on VNSNY
“I am a disabled senior citizen, 70 years old and living on a monthly disability check,” wrote a Suffolk County patient. “I am happy, that since 1893 and through multiple historic pandemics, VNSNY has been there for New Yorkers no matter how severe their health was, or what illnesses or injury they face. Everyone can depend on VNSNY!”
Westchester
Very Happy
A Westchester patient called to say how happy she was with home health aide Shamika Ramsay’s services. “She was very good!” stated the patient.
