Knocking it Out of the Park: Team Members in the News!
With the World Series around the corner, there’s one team that’s been knocking it out of the park in the news media—VNS Health, of course! Team members from across the organization continue to appear in stories highlighting everything from workplace excellence and innovation to their expertise in caring for people of all ages and backgrounds throughout our communities. Catch up on the latest VNS Health media coverage below!
Team members featured in recent news stories include:
- Paula Reynolds Chambers, VNS Health Nurse-Family Partnership Director
- Jerry Mammano, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of VNS Health
- Allison Simms, Associate Director of Rehabilitation Services
- Barbara Riegel, Senior Research Scientist, Center for Home Care Policy & Research
- Jennifer McCaffrey, Occupational Therapist
- Roger Herr, Vice President of Regional Patient Care Services
- Jane Emmerth, RN, Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC)
- Debbie Stricoff, Associate Director of Program Development
- Ebee Grellier, Advocacy Manager, Government Affairs
- Patrick Gaughan, Safe Pathways Peer Specialist, Behavioral Health
- Gloria Conde-Garan, Clinical Director, Personal Care
- Mabel Weather, Home Health Aide, Personal Care
- Sandra Simson, Home Health Aide, Personal Care
- Michelle Boyer, Home Health Aide, Personal Care
- Esther Conteh, Vice President, Care Management, Health Plans
- Maxim Topaz, Senior Research Scientist, Center for Home Care Policy & Research
- Devin Woodley, Vice President of Managed Care Contracting
VNS Health Named One of Forbes’ Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals
Forbes named VNS Health to its 2026 list of America’s Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals, ranking us eighth among New York State-based organizations. The annual list was based on an independent survey of more than 30,000 U.S. healthcare and social welfare employees, and this year it recognized 250 organizations nationwide for their workplace culture and employee experience. Read more on Frontline!
VNS Health Wins Gold in McKnight’s Excellence in Technology Awards
McKnight’s highlighted VNS Health and its partner Netsmart as Gold winners in the Quality category of its 2026 Excellence in Technology Awards. The award was given for their HVLDL Mortality Risk Dashboard, which helps hospice clinicians identify when patients are entering their final days—enabling more timely support and contributing to increased clinician visits during this critical period. Read more about the award here.
VNS Health Celebrates 20 Years of Nurse-Family Partnership in the Bronx
Associated Press, alongside dozens of industry and national outlets, highlighted the 20th anniversary of VNS Health’s Bronx Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), which has supported more than 8,000 families since its launch in 2006. In the AP article, Paula Reynolds Chambers, VNS Health Nurse-Family Partnership Director, discussed how NFP nurses support the whole family, while NFP alum Ayanna Blyden shared how the guidance and support she received from NFP as a first-time mother continues to influence her 17 years later. Additionally, news of the celebration was covered by New York Nonprofit Media.
Jerry Mammano Joins VNS Health as CFO
New York Business Journal and Crain’s New York Business highlighted Jerry Mammano’s appointment as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of VNS Health in their respective People on the Move sections. The profiles note Jerry’s role overseeing VNS Health’s financial operations and planning, as well as his extensive leadership experience across healthcare, insurance, managed care and financial services.
Allison Simms Shares Her Fall Prevention Expertise in U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report featured Allison Simms, Associate Director of Rehabilitation Services, in a guide to assessing fall prevention techniques in senior living communities. Simms shared practical advice for families on evaluating flooring, bathroom layouts, lighting, and other design features, emphasizing that the best measure of safety is whether an older adult can move comfortably and confidently through their living space. Read the full article on Frontline here.
Senior Research Scientist Barbara Riegel Discusses Virtual Caregiver Coaching
Barbara Riegel, Senior Research Scientist at the VNS Health Center for Home Care Policy & Research, spoke to Home Health Care News about research showing the potential benefits of VNS Health’s Virtual Caregiver Coach for You (ViCCY) program for caregivers of people with heart failure. Barbara discussed how helping caregivers manage stress and prioritize their own health was associated with improved quality of life and fewer hospitalizations, noting the study also found that the program generated net healthcare savings. Read more on Frontline.
VNS Health Experts Discuss Aging with HIV in Long Island Press
Long Island Press covered Occupational Therapist Jennifer McCaffrey’s presentation at the 2026 Conference on Aging with HIV, in which she discussed the challenges facing older adults living with HIV, including fatigue, cognitive changes and social isolation, and how rehab therapy can help them age safely at home. In addition, Roger Herr, Vice President of Regional Patient Care Services at VNS Health, who also spoke at the conference, provided the reporter with valuable background and perspective on HIV and aging. Read the story here.
Associated Press Spotlights Guaranteed Flex Pay Program for PTs in the Bronx and Westchester
The Associated Press published a story a spotlighting VNS Health’s innovative Guaranteed Flex Pay model for per diem physical therapists in the Bronx and Westchester, noting how guaranteed biweekly pay, flexible scheduling, and premium per-visit rates are helping to attract and support clinicians while expanding community access to home-based care. The story also focused on VNS Health’s organization-wide commitment to workforce innovation and delivering high-quality care to more New Yorkers. The news was picked up by an additional 190+ news outlets, including WPIX11. Read more on Frontline.
Councilmember Linda Lee Visits with VNS Health NORC Team Members in Queens
Queens Times covered New York City Councilmember Linda Lee’s visit to the Deepdale CARES Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC), where she met with residents and VNS Health NORC Nurse Jane Emmerth to learn how City Council funding is supporting life-saving care for older adults. The article also featured Debbie Stricoff, Associate Director of Program Development, and Ebee Grellier, Advocacy Manager, alongside Jane in a photo from the visit. Check it out on Frontline!
Peer Specialist Patrick Gaughan Discusses Mental Health Support with The Bronx Times
Patrick Gaughan, Peer Specialist with the Safe Pathways Program, spoke to The Bronx Times at a Bronx back-to-school event hosted by community partners about VNS Health’s suicide prevention and mental health resources. Patrick discussed the need for accessible, meaningful mental health support, and his commitment to helping people get the support they need to move forward. Read the full story here.
Clinical Director Gloria Conde-Garan and VNS Health Home Health Aides Share Dementia Caregiving Advice in Patch
Patch featured an article by Gloria Conde-Garan, RN, Clinical Director, Personal Care, highlighting practical dementia caregiving tips from experienced VNS Health home health aides Mabel Weather, Sandra Simson and Michelle Boyer. Drawing on their years of direct experience, they shared guidance on building trust, creating calming routines, communicating with empathy, and reminding family caregivers to care for themselves too. Read in full on Frontline.
Esther Conteh Shares Fall Prevention Tips in Buffalo Healthy Living
Buffalo Healthy Living featured an article by Esther Conteh, Vice President of Health Plans Care Management, highlighting practical ways older adults can reduce their risk of falls and keep their independence. Esther emphasized staying active to build strength and balance, recognizing warning signs such as dizziness or vision changes, and taking simple steps to improve safety at home. Read more caregiving tips here.
Senior Research Scientist Maxim Topaz Discusses Responsible Use of AI Scribes
Maxim Topaz, Senior Research Scientist at the Center for Home Care Policy & Research, spoke to TechTarget about maximizing the benefits of AI scribes while ensuring important social determinants of health are captured. Maxim highlighted opportunities for AI technology to improve documentation, along with safeguards such as intentional screening, clinician review and audit trails. Read more here.
Devin Woodley Speaks about Value-Based Care with Home Health Care News
Devin Woodley, Vice President of Managed Care Contracting at VNS Health, spoke to Home Health Care News about the evolving value-based care landscape following a panel at the outlet’s PAYER Summit. Devin discussed growing opportunities through CMS models, while noting financial pressures that are making value-based arrangements more challenging for Medicare Advantage and managed Medicaid plans. Read in full here.
