News Briefs from Around VNSNY… Here’s What’s Happening!
Welcome to the latest edition of “News Briefs from Around VNSNY”—a Frontline feature that provides brief updates on recent news and events across the organization. If you have a news brief you’d like to be considered for an upcoming edition, please click here.
Community Mental Health Services (CMHS) Cuts the Ribbon on Its New Harlem Office
On July 9th, Community Mental Health Services celebrated the official opening of its new office at 286 Lenox Avenue in Upper Manhattan. The new office, which is just a few minutes’ walk from CMHS’s West 125th Street location, will house CMHS’s Health Home Care Management and Behavioral Health Community Transitions programs as well as CMHS’s Central Administration staff and the Community Care Management Partners (CCMP) Health Home staff.
Saluting VNSNY’s Volunteers
On July 16th, VNSNY’s dedicated volunteers were honored at the 2019 VNSNY Volunteer Recognition Ceremony. The event, held in the penthouse of 80 Fifth Avenue, brought together many of VNSNY’s 520 volunteers along with members of VNSNY’s leadership and staff. The evening included a reception with wine and hors d’oeuvres, followed by an awards ceremony recognizing seven exceptional VNSNY volunteers for their service. Welcoming remarks were provided by Marki Flannery, VNSNY’s President and CEO, and Michael Ambrosini, Director of Corporate and Community Relations. “If anyone embodies the mission of VNSNY, it’s our volunteers,” Michael told the gathering. “Tonight provides us with the chance to salute you for the countless ways youoffer your attention and care—knowing that we are deeply grateful for the impact you have on our patients and families and our staff.”
VNSNY Advertising Expands to Radio and Online Video
A new VNSNY-sponsored radio segment, “VNSNY Senior Healthcare Report,” can now be heard on 1010 WINS radio. The minute-long segment consists of 30 seconds of information and education on topics important to the health and safety of older adults, followed by a 30-second advertisement for VNSNY. The ads can also be heard on targeted Pandora stations. In addition, starting July 22nd, VNSNY will be running a series of new, 15-second video ads on a variety of web sites, where they will air before news, information and entertainment videos. “Both the radio and video ads will be targeted primarily to adults who are likely to be caregivers for older family or friends,” explains Liz Solomon, Director, VNSNY Marketing.
“Give a Name” Campaign Extended to September 30th!
A total of 52 employees from across VNSNY and Partners in Care participated in our “Give a Name” campaign this spring, in which staff members can submit the name and résumé of a RN, NP, LPN, rehab therapist and/or licensed social worker to HR. The first campaign resulted in 71 referrals and has filled two critical positions to date. All employees who participated were also automatically entered into a monthly raffle, with winners receiving a prize of $500. The three raffle winners are: April—Shari Lapides, Clinical Assessment Manager, VNSNY CHOICE; May—Elizabeth Lapp, a VNSNY Home Care nurse in Manhattan; June—Sherma Wheeler, a VNSNY Hospice nurse in the Bronx. “The campaign was so successful that we’ve extended it through September 30th—which means VNSNY and Partners in Care staff have three more opportunities to be a raffle winner,” says Joan Benzie, Recruitment Operations Manager, who is overseeing the campaign. “So continue sending those names and résumés to [email protected]!”
Research Center News
In June, the VNSNY Research Center’s David Russell and Margaret McDonald both attended conferences related to their ongoing research on infection control practices in home care. At the annual conference of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) in Philadelphia, David, a Research Associate at the Center, presented results from the study, a collaborative project with Columbia University, and also led a Concurrent Education Session and Panel. In addition, Margaret, the Center’s Associate Director, attended the Academy of Health Annual Research Meeting in Washington DC as co-author of a poster presentation on the project. Survey results from the ongoing study were also published recently in the American Journal of Infection Control. Another cutting-edge Research Center study, this one on sepsis and led by Senior Research Scientist Chris Murtaugh and Center Director Kathy Bowles, was just published in the journal Medical Care. The results show that prompt home nursing visits plus an early post-discharge doctor’s appointment reduces sepsis patient risk for rehospitalization by 7 percentage points.
Sal Bastardi and VNSNY Receive Customer of the Year Award
Sal Bastardi (left) accepts the CABVI’s Customer of the Year Award.
In late June, The Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) presented VNSNY and Sal Bastardi, Vice President, Corporate Administrative Services, with the association’s 2019 Customer of the Year Award. “We are so excited about VNSNY and Sal’s commitment to creating employment for New Yorkers who are blind,” noted CABVI. VNSNY President and CEO Marki Flanneryand Executive Vice President Michael Bernstein were also on hand to accept the award, which recognizes VNSNY’s outstanding commitment to employing people who are blind or visually impaired and to purchasing the products and services they provide.
Gracie Mansion Pride Month Event
Shannon Whittington (left) and Amery Moultry at the Gracie Mansion LGBTQ Pride Month event.
On June 20th, Shannon Whittington, Director of VNSNY’s Gender Affirmation Program, and Amery Moultry, Director, Enterprise Communications, were among the guests at the LGBTQ Pride Month event at Gracie Mansion. The event, hosted by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlaine McCray, commemorated the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. “It was great to walk into Gracie Mansion instead of walking byit!” says Shannon. “I also found it very inspirational to witness, in person, the Mayor and First Lady’s commitment to the LGBT population.”
Celebrating HIV Long-Term Survivors
Arthur Fitting (right) with other attendees at the “We’re Still Here” celebration.
On June 5th, New York City residents and healthcare providers gathered at Baruch College in Manhattan for “We’re Still Here”—a celebration of aging positively with HIV. The event, which coincided with National HIV Long-Term Survivors Day, was hosted by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) and the HIV Long-Term Survivors Coalition. The NYC DOHMH and VNSNY are founding members of the coalition, and Arthur Fitting, Director of VNSNY’s LGBT Program and outreach, continues to represent VNSNY as a coalition co-founder. “Since people today are living much longer with HIV, this year’s event also focused on health concerns other than HIV within the LGBT community,” notes Arthur. “These include heart failure, cancer and diabetes, as well as stress from continuing discrimination.” The celebration began with a lunch, followed by a panel discussion and breakout sessions on art therapy, yoga/meditation and other activities, before concluding with dinner and dancing.
Summer Scholars Shadow VNSNY Home Care Staff
This summer, a half-dozen nursing and rehabilitation students are immersing themselves in the intake process and other key aspects of home health care as participants in Business Development’s Summer Scholars Home Health Care Program. The eight-week paid internship includes classes with VNSNY senior leaders as well as time spent shadowing VNSNY home care consultants (HCCs) onsite in local hospitals as well as nurses and case managers in the field. “Our Summer Scholars program provides a unique exposure to the daily roles and responsibilities of HCCs,” says Naseebah Khan, Manager, Business Development Operations. “We have a wonderful group of scholars, and it’s been a pleasure working with them.”
CMHS Staff Rally to Support Funding for Mental Health Care
On May 8th, staff from VNSNY’s Community Mental Health Services (CMHS) met with City Council representatives and joined other members of the Coalition for Behavioral Health, a New York City umbrella advocacy group, to demonstrate on the steps of City Hall in support of preserving city funding for VNSNY’s geriatric behavioral programs in the Bronx. Attendees also used social media postings with the hashtag #BehavioralHealthMatters to amplify their message. “The efforts were successful and our two programs had their funding restored!” reports Susan Rabinowitz, Director of Quality Improvement & Special Projects for CMHS.
CMHS Hosts Mental Health Awareness Block Party
On May 9th, VNSNY’s Community Mental Health Services held its annual Children’s Mental Health Fair and Block Party in the South Bronx. The street in front of CMHS’s East 153rd Street office was closed to traffic for the event, which was co-hosted by VNSNY’s Children’s Services/FRIENDS programs. “It was an incredible day! We had musical entertainment, a face painter for the kids, and a raffle that gave out wonderful prizes to children and adults,” reports Devon Bandison, Director of Children’s Services and FRIENDS. “At the same time, our staff was able to provide valuable information to clients and parents about our own programs as well as other community resources while bringing awareness to children’s mental health.”
Presentations, Workshops, Conferences and Publications
At the Home Care Association of New York State’s annual conference in May, April Feld, Director of Population Health Management and Remote Patient Monitoring, took part in a panel on “Creating Better Patient Outcomes: The Power of New Partnerships.”… Also in May, Alan Rice, a Population Health Specialist with VNSNY CHOICE SelectHealth, led a workshop at the National Conference on Social Work and HIV/AIDS on “Caring for Ourselves—An Experiential Group Meeting.”… In June, Rose Madden-Baer, Senior Vice President, Population Health and Clinical Support Services, participated in a panel on “Care Transitions” at the New York Care Coordination Leadership Summit…. and Dr. Hany Abdelaal, President of VNSNY CHOICE, moderated a session on “Improving Care for Dual-Eligible Beneficiaries” at the Association for Community-Affiliated Plans 2019 CEO Summit…. In addition, Tony Dawson, VP of Quality and Customer Experience, published an article in late June in AORN Journal, the official publication of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses, outlining effective methodologies for improving performance within an organization.
