Social Work Month Photos… Lillian Wald… ABCD Awards … Catch the Latest News Briefs!

Frontline is excited to present our latest VNS Health News Briefs—your quick and easy way to catch up on news and events from across the organization over the past few months.

If you have any news or happenings that you’d like to submit for consideration in an upcoming edition, please click here.

VNS Health Celebrates Social Work Month. See the Photos!

March is National Social Work Month. On March 27th, to mark the occasion, nearly 100 Social Services Professionals gathered at 220 East 42nd Street for a breakfast celebration. The morning’s proceedings included presentations by CEO Dan Savitt and SVP Jessica Fear, a salute to Lizzie Cogan as the winner of our first-ever Social Services Professional of the Year Award, and a raffle. A continuing education unit (CEU) followed, led by LMSW Asha Lyons. To see photos of the event, click on the slideshow below.

Meet Our Very First VNS Health Social Services Professional of the Year!

VNS Health has created a brand-new recognition to honor our amazing social services team members—the Social Services Professional of the Year award. Nearly 50 team members were nominated for this year’s inaugural presentation, with the award going to Lizzie Cogan from our Home Care Team. Click here to see the full list of nominees and read more about Lizzie!

Our VNS Health Experts Testify in Support of Behavioral Health and Veterans Programs

As New York City (NYC) prepares its budget for 2026, Deirdre DeLeo, Director of Behavioral Health, testified on March 24th to the NYC Council Committee on Mental Health, Disabilities and Addiction in support of VNS Health’s Geriatric Mental Health Initiative (GMHI) and Promise Zone Initiatives. And on March 25th, Contessa Officer, Director of Veterans Programs, testified to the Council’s Committee on Veterans, advocating for funding to sustain and extend the programs’ outreach and connect more veterans to care in 2026.

Nurse Residency Program Receives ANCC Accreditation

On March 25th, VNS Health learned that our Nurse Residency Program has been officially accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The ANCC’s Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP) sets the global standard for residency and fellowship programs that transition registered nurses (RNs) with less than 12 months of experience into new roles. Currently, there are only five other home care organizations around the globe with ANCC accreditation. “This accreditation is one of the highest forms of recognition for a nurse residency program, and it will help us attract even more highly qualified nurse residents to our program.”” notes Elizer Cooper-Audain, Associate Vice President, Education & Professional Development. “Achieving it was a truly collaborative team effort.”

Rochester News TV8 Spotlights Lillian Wald and Her Legacy for Women’s History Month

Lillian Wald’s birthday on March 10th was the inspiration for a recent news story on Rochester-based CBS affiliate WROC’s Rochester News 8 broadcast. In addition to spotlighting the trail-blazing public health contributions of Wald, who lived in Rochester as a youth, the story highlighted how VNS Health is now offering a Medicaid Managed Long Term Care plan in the Buffalo-Rochester area, with member care managed through a partnership with Elderwood IPA. To see the video clip about our founder click here below.

Check Out Our Latest 817 ABCD and Initiative Award Winners, Including HHAs!

Here they are, all in one place—a roundup of VNS Health team members who have been recognized in recent months for their outstanding contributions to the organization. The current list highlights everyone honored between September 2024 and February 2025, including recipients of both the ABCD Award and the Initiative Award—817 team members in total. Click here to see the full list of names!

Latest “20 Minutes with Dan” Highlights Team Members’ Links to Our Mission and Strategic Plan

Everyone at VNS Health is working to deliver on our mission, whether they’re on the front lines or providing essential support behind the scenes. This important message is the focus of the latest “20 Minutes with Dan” video featuring CEO Dan Savitt. To see the video—which begins with a special 158th birthday tribute to our founder, Lillian Wald—click here.

“We Drew on Something Bigger Than Ourselves.” Five Years Later, Team Members Reflect on COVID. See the photos and videos!

In this Frontline special feature, VNS Health team members reflect on what they and their teams were doing five years ago to help our organization address the challenges of COVID, so we could continue to support vulnerable New Yorkers—and each other—during the largest pandemic in modern history. Click here to read more and see the videos!

MLTC Plan Expands Upstate Membership with Kalos Health Acquisition

VNS Health continued to grow our Health Plans membership in the upstate region with the acquisition of nearly 1,000 MLTC plan members from Niagara Falls-based Kalos Health, following the closing of Kalos’s MLTC plan. Our new MLTC plan members include residents of Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara and Orleans counties. The acquisition further solidifies our Health Plans’ presence in upstate New York, where VNS Health now holds 22.7% of MLTC market share.

VNS Health Launches New Leadership Program for Directors and VPs

VNS Health has launched a new leadership program, Leadership Unlocked, for high-potential Directors and Vice Presidents. The program’s first cohort kicked off on March 12th. Participants will experience a dynamic program designed to deepen their leadership capabilities through interactive learning experiences, coaching, assessments, field visits, and networking opportunities. The first cohort will conclude in mid-June, and a second cohort will get underway in the fall. Additional cohorts will be offered in 2026. 

VNS Health Receives $1.1 Million in Mother Cabrini Grants

VNS Health has been awarded two generous grants from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, totaling $1.1 million. A $500,000 grant will support our Safety and Security Escort Program, which helps expand access to care by provides escorts for frontline clinicians making home visits in neighborhoods where security is a concern. Additionally, a $600,000 grant will fund our Veterans Outreach Program in 2025 and 2026, enhancing outreach efforts to underserved veterans and their families across New York State and ensuring they receive the health care and benefits they deserve.

Celebrating the Year of the Dragon: Lunar New Year Events Bring Fun, Festivities, and Togetherness

In late January, VNS Health ushered in the Lunar New Year with lively celebrations at our Chinatown, Flushing, and Sunset Park Community Centers. The events featured traditional foods and games, as well as a special calligraphy artist—all helping to bring cheer and ensure good luck in the coming year for the many community residents served by VNS Health. For photos of the events, click on the slideshow below.

VNS Health Home Care Earns 3-Star Patient Satisfaction Rating

In the latest report from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), VNS Health Home Care achieved a 3-Star rating for patient satisfaction for care provided from June 2023 through July 2024. “For a number of years prior to this, Home Care consistently received 2 to 2.5 Star ratings for patient satisfaction,” notes Brenda Riordan, SVP for Home Care and Care Management Solutions, “so this is a tremendous accomplishment for the Home Care team.”

VNS Health Honorees Attend 2025 McKnight’s Pinnacle Awards in Chicago

On March 20th, Rosa Marcus, Director, Personal Care, Margaret McDonald, Associate Vice President of The Center for Home Care and Policy And Research, and Grace McGhee, Director, Health Plans were among a select group of 32 awardees from across the country to receive an award from McKnight’s. To read more about their awards, click here—and click on the slideshow below to see photos of the awards ceremony.

VNS Health Personal Care Named a 2025 “Provider of Choice” by Activated Insights

The Personal Care team was named a 2025 “Provider of Choice” by Activated Insights, a company that provides software support for long-term and post-acute care providers. The distinction is awarded to provider organizations that meet the highest standards of care, based on survey feedback from clients. Congratulations to the entire Personal Care team on this well-earned achievement!

Redesigned HHA Resource Center Makes It Easier for HHAs to Access Information and Support

VNS Health’s newly redesigned HHA Resource Center website launched on January 29th. Incorporating valuable feedback from home health aides (HHAs) and other Personal Care team members, the website features enhanced navigation, making it easier for HHAs to find the information they need to do their jobs effectively. In addition to news and other content, the revamped site offers one-click access to key resources, including an electronic PTO form, the VNS Health Rewards platform, 1199SEIU contact information, and Value-Based Care resources. You can check out the redesigned site by clicking here.   

VNS Health Medicare Plans Gain Over 10,000 New Members!

Last fall’s Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) was the most successful ever for our Health Plans, with over 10,000 new members enrolling in VNS Health’s three Medicare plans—EasyCare, EasyCare Plus, and Total, our integrated Medicare-Medicaid plan. Our Medicare plans also made major strides in member retention, with EasyCare and EasyCare Plus reporting a 40% reduction in their voluntary disenrollment rate compared to the previous year.

Vitalic Partnership Will Improve Geriatric Behavioral Health Care

VNS Health Health Plans is partnering with Vitalic, a new geriatric behavioral health platform, to expand access to specialized mental health care for older adults. The platform uses AI-driven risk stratification and predictive modeling to identify high-risk members and link them to geriatric-trained psychiatrists, psychiatric nurse practitioners, licensed therapists, and mental health support coaches, ensuring they receive specialized, evidence-based interventions tailored to their needs. This partnership will help VNS Health advance our ability to deliver accessible, high-quality behavioral health care to our Health Plan members.

Jessica Fear Recognized as a Trailblazer in Health Care

Jessica Fear, SVP, Behavioral Health, has been named one of City & State New York’s Trailblazers in Health Care for 2025. This first-ever list highlights leaders who are making a significant impact on patient care and health outcomes in New York State. With nearly 30 years of experience in community-based behavioral health, Jessica oversees over 20 behavioral health programs and a 500-member team. Her recognition by City & State underscores VNS Health’s vital role in shaping the future of community-based behavioral health care.

Putting Focus on the Patient with “Age-Friendly Care”

Patients who feel listened to and involved in their care are likely to have better health outcomes. To help ensure an outstanding patient experience, our Home Care and Hospice teams recently adopted the Age-Friendly Care model. This model, developed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, is built around the “4-M” framework—focusing on What Matters for each patient, as well as Medication, Mobility and Mentation. “This approach is proven to bring about better health outcomes, including a reduction in ER visits and hospitalizations,” noted David Rosales, EVP and Chief of Provider Services, To read David’s recent Frontline column about Age-Friendly Care, click here.

Chinatown NNORC Volunteers Provide Handmade Knitwear for Behavioral Health Shelter ACT Program

Chinatown NNORC members are using their knitting skills to give back to the community, creating hats, scarves, headbands, and other warm items for those in need. As part of an ongoing initiative, these handmade pieces are donated to our Behavioral Health Shelter Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team, which provides mobile intensive treatment and support to unhoused individuals living with severe mental illness.

“Knitting for others brings joy and fulfillment to our volunteers while making a meaningful impact on the community,” said Helen Sit, Manager of the Chinatown NNORC. “It’s truly a win-win for both the knitters and those receiving their gifts.” See photo slideshow of the knitwear below.

Shades of Blackness ERG Celebrates Historic Achievements and Community at Black History Month Event

VNS Health’s Shades of Blackness ERG hosted a Black History Month celebration on February 26th that brought together over 60 team members. The lineup of activities included a screening of the movie Hidden Figures, as well as interactive trivia and bingo games highlighting Black historical figures. Attendees also heard inspiring remarks from ERG co-leads Sheila Bell and Debra Thomas and from Chief Financial Officer Keith Patterson. See the event photos below!

Women’s Empowerment Circle ERG Fosters Growth and Connection

On Thursday, March 13th, Debbie Starace, a nurse with Home Care, shared her inspiring journey and lessons learned from her remarkable career at VNS Health at a Women’s Empowerment Circle (WE) Employee Resource Group (ERG) event. Since 2022, WE has hosted monthly virtual gatherings where participants learn from industry leaders while building a supportive community. The sessions feature guest speakers who provide perspectives on topics ranging from career growth to personal well-being.

In addition to these monthly meetups, the Women’s Empowerment Circle hosts three in-person networking events each year, giving participants a chance to foster relationships face to face. “We’ve created a space where women can lift each other up, share experiences, and learn from one another,” says Ale Guzman, co-lead of the ERG. “It’s about fostering connections that help us grow both professionally and personally.”

AAPI ERG Lunar New Year Event Spotlights Cultural Awareness

On February 5th, VNS Health’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) ERG hosted a vibrant Lunar New Year celebration, with approximately 50 team members gathering to honor the diverse cultures within the AAPI community. The event featured cultural displays, traditional foods, a Mahjong station, and a volunteer initiative where employees decorated lunch bags for Hearts of Dinner, an organization that delivers meals to Asian seniors in Chinatown.

“Celebrations like these highlight the many ways AAPI communities celebrate their culture, especially around significant holidays such as the Lunar New Year,” noted Melinda Wong, one of the AAPI ERG’s co-leads.

OUT@VNS Health and TransAction ERGs Host Event in Support of GAP Patients

On March 26th, the Out@VNS Health and TransAction ERGs hosted a “Cupcakes and Cards” event for all VNS Health team members. Over 40 people came together to enjoy pizza and cupcakes while making uplifting cards for patients of VNS Health’s Gender Affirmation Program (GAP). To see photos of the event, click on the slideshow below.