Marion Marley, Manager, Care Coordination, VNSNY CHOICE MLTC

“I feel very fortunate to have a stable, wonderful team that’s been with me for a very long time.”

Marion has been with VNSNY for 15 years, and has worked at CHOICE since 2009. “I feel very fortunate to have a stable, wonderful team that’s been with me for a very long time,” she says. “We have a good relationship. I feel very comfortable providing support for them, and they support me right back.”

Marion supervises a group of CHOICE MLTC Care Managers consisting of social workers and registered nurses—a role that includes coordinating and supplying education as needed, giving guidance, and assisting with care management on complex cases. “A big part of my job is providing emotional support,” she adds.

The CHOICE Care Management team has been working remotely with members for some time now—thus sparing the staff the need to suddenly navigate an entirely new way of operating when VNSNY began working remotely due to COVID-19. The team was still deeply affected by the pandemic, however. “I think the biggest impact was that we lost a lot of plan members to the pandemic,” notes Marion. “Some of the staff had long-term relationships with these members, and it was a very sad time. One of my Care Managers had a couple die within two days of each other. A lot of people really struggled with the losses they experienced, and we really felt the need to support each other during this time.”

Regarding her ESPRIT Award, Marion exhibits her characteristic humility. “I’m kind of glad that the ceremony’s gone virtual this year, because it’s not really in my personality to stand on a stage and receive an award,” she says. “I just really get along with my team. I enjoy working with them, and I try to do my very best every day.”