Over 70 Team Members Created These Amazing Consumer Experiences!
Read them all in the latest batch of Letters and Commendations
VNS Health team members once again showed how amazing they are through their empathy, resilience, and dedication! Here are excerpts from many recent letters, phone calls, and emails we’ve received from grateful patients, members, and clients, as well as family members, that reflect an outstanding consumer experience.
For patient letters and member commendations by geography, click on the area below:
- Bronx
- Brooklyn
- Long Island
- Manhattan
- Queens
- Staten Island
- Westchester
- Health Plan Member Commendations
Bronx
“She was the kindest and most compassionate person ever.”
Home health aide Shernett Douglas was recently praised by her patient’s daughter. “She was the kindest and most compassionate person ever,” said the patient’s daughter—adding, “Shernett was such a blessing for my mother.”
“A wonderful experience.”
A patient called to compliment physical therapist Jermaine Lee, stating that Jermaine was “wonderful. He was very patient and worked me through everything.” She also noted that Jermaine was “courteous and well mannered.”
“One of a kind.”
A Bronx patient called to say that she was “extremely happy with home health aide Blanca Pacheco,” calling her “one of a kind!” Not only is Blanca “attentive,” said the patient, but she “cares about the patient.”
“Phenomenal.”
Home health aide Rosa Chavez was praised by a patient’s daughter for the care she’s providing to her mother, who suffers from dementia. “If there is any award to give Rosa, she should get it,” said the daughter. “My mom always asks for Rosa and feels sad when she leaves. Her service to the patient is phenomenal.”
“Extraordinary.”
“Home health aide Ines Lovera Galvan is extraordinary,” said one patient’s daughter. “Thank you very much for sending her to take care of my mother.”
Brooklyn
“She is exemplary.”
Home health aide Bolanle Ayinde was recently praised by a patient for the care and compassion she provided to her. The patient was incredibly thankful for Bolanle, saying that she is “exemplary in her line of work,” and “has lifted my spirits and well-being mentally and physically.”
“Outstanding work.”
Nurse Lisa Malcolm and physical therapist José Devera both received compliments from a Brooklyn patient. The patient expressed gratitude for Lisa’s “outstanding work on his wound care.” He also noted that José was “excellent and helpful.”
“Very happy.”
The son of one of our Brooklyn patients called in to say how “very happy” his mother is with home health aides Morilia Antoine and Gwendolyn Dacosta. They are “very good workers and always know what to do,” he added. “We appreciate them both for their hard work and dedication.”
“Words cannot express how much our mother and family love her.”
The daughter of another Brooklyn patient wrote a letter praising home health aide Rissa Emmanuels for the 26 years she took care of her mother. The daughter was thankful for how “caring, loving, attentive, and hands on” Rissa was while caring for her mother. “Words cannot express how much our mother and family love her,” she noted. “No amount of thanks is enough to give.”
“Exceptional communication and coordination.”
Hospice liaison Adriana Anzules was recently commended by a patient’s caregiver for how comfortable she made him feel. “Adriana’s ability to communicate with me and coordinate with other staff members was exceptional,” the caregiver said. “I appreciate the caring nature of the VNS Health Hospice team.”
“Speaks from the heart.”
The wife of one of our hospice patients who recently passed away had lovely words for bereavement counselor Dianna Sandiford, writing to thank Dianna for all her help and support. “She is an angel who has the voice that you can feel speaks from the heart,” she noted. “Dianna comforts you and she made me feel like I knew her for years. I really appreciated her help.”
“He was so knowledgeable and encouraging.”
Physical therapist Zarif Guirges received a big ‘thank you’ on our social media channels from one patient. “Thank you for the high-quality physical therapy services that I received following my total knee replacement surgery,” the patient wrote. “Zarif was wonderful and helped me make great progress. He was so knowledgeable and encouraging. I am most appreciative!”
“I’ve never had someone so helpful and wonderful.”
A hospice patient’s wife phoned to commend nurse Berkis Oken. “I’ve never had someone so helpful and wonderful,” said the wife.
“I don’t have to worry about my mother’s care with these two aides.”
The daughter of a patient called to say she was pleased with VNS Health and wanted to compliment home health aide Evelyn Perdomo Diaz. “My brother and I do not have to worry about our mother’s care,” the daughter said.
“Excellent job.”
A patient’s husband called to praise home health aide Rosa Sorto, saying that Rosa did an “excellent job,” and that both he and his wife were very pleased with her.
“One of the best aides I’ve ever had.”
Home health aide Bagdagul Alisherova was recently commended by a patient who stated that Bagdagul is “one of the best aides I’ve ever had. She has a beautiful heart and loves her work.”
“Superb care.”
Nurse Sherill Stennett is “very helpful, very knowledgeable,” said the daughter of one patient. “She does a great job and offers superb care. I thank her for all the work she does.”
“VNS Health cares not only for the patient, but the caregiver as well.”
A hospice patient’s wife wrote to thank the VNS Health hospice team for their “dedication, kindness, care, and compassion.” She especially wanted to thank nurses Natalya Perfilova, Vivia McField, and Marie France for their “care, compassion, and kindness,”—adding, “VNS Health cares not only for the patient, but the caregiver as well. We were truly blessed to have you!”
“It has been wonderful to have VNS Health nurses as part of the JASA/NORC teams.”
The senior director of the NORC program at JASA wrote to say ‘thank you’ to the VNS Health nurses. The letter read: “I wanted to take some time today to share our deep appreciation for your amazing partnership. We are grateful to have your help and caring support. It has been wonderful to have VNS Health nurses as part of the JASA/NORC teams. From their proactivity to their genuine concern for the clients, to their willingness to help at any time—they’ve surpassed all expectations. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
Long Island
“Great job!”
Physical therapist Eduardo Gimenez was complimented by a patient’s husband for the “great job he did today.”
Manhattan
“We are very grateful for the support we received from VNS Health.”
A home care patient and spouse from Manhattan wrote a letter thanking VNS Health, especially occupational therapist Brianna Martin, who had taken the time to provide a list of exercises and go over each of them with the patient. “We are very grateful for the support we received from VNS Health,” they noted. “The professionals who came to our home were very helpful.”
“Best decision I made for my mother.”
The caregiver of one VNS Health hospice patient called in to say that “transferring to the Goodman Brown Residence was the best decision I made for my mother.”
“Outstanding!”
A hospice patient’s caregiver complimented nurse Maxine Morales, stating that she is “outstanding!”
“It’s been such a pleasure.”
Home health aide supervisor Josie Smith and home health aide Marjorie Buford both received praise in a letter from a Manhattan patient. The patient wrote, “In Josie’s style of supervising, she has found an artful way to treat the whole person. She makes me feel assured that I am her number one priority.” The patient added, “Marjorie has been excellent in her work with me. It’s been such a pleasure.”
“VNS Health is to be commended for having such a wonderful set of employees.”
A friend of one patient wrote in to say that home health aide supervisor Josie Smith has been “outstanding—helpful, responsive, and understanding of the patient’s needs.” She also praised home health aides Marie Brutus and Lovern Denny-Devarl as being “excellent,” noting, “VNS Health is to be commended for having such a wonderful set of employees.”
“My sincerest thanks.”
A patient penned a note thanking psychiatric social worker Olga Rosario. “Olga has been my therapist for six invaluable sessions,” wrote the patient. “I want to ensure you know that Olga’s questions, ideas, interpretations, and encouragement have helped me enormously. I have looked forward to each session right from the beginning. My sincerest thanks to Olga.”
“Very happy.”
A patient called to compliment home health aide Sabrina Key, saying that she was “very happy” with Sabrina and would love for her to come again.
“The kind of person we need in these times.”
“I’m very grateful for the service provided by home health aide Adeshewa Bello,” said another patient who called in. “Adeshewa is the kind of person we need in these times: attentive, accommodating, and with a good temperament.”
“Went above and beyond the call of duty.”
A hospice patient’s daughter praised nurses Christine De Anna, Lavaughn Coward, and David Allard, stating that they were “kind, empathetic, professional, and went above and beyond the call of duty.”
“Very professional.”
A Manhattan patient was very pleased with the service provided by home health aide Mehli Yeasmin. Mehli is “very professional and an excellent worker,” the patient noted.
“Truly appreciated the care.”
The daughter of a hospice patient phoned to say how much she “truly appreciated the care my dad received from nurse Boon Chia.”
“Luxury service!”
A patient called to say how grateful she was for the service provided by home health aide Yesmely Reynoso. “Yesmely took every necessary precaution to provide me with good service,” the patient said. “Any other patient she is assigned will be given a luxury service!”
“Lifesaver!”
Nurse August Abela recently received rave reviews for his work with patients at the Bristal Assisted Living Facility. August provides “extraordinary care” to the clients at the facility, one of its staff members reported—adding, “several of the residents refer to him as their ‘lifesaver’.”
Queens
“Helped tremendously!”
Nurse Colette Bazin was recently complimented by a hospice patient’s sister who called to say that she “helped me tremendously.” She added that she is “grateful for Colette and VNS Health. She went above and beyond.”
“She provides the excellent care I really need.”
One Queens patient complimented home health aide Leezel Barry for providing the excellent care he “really needs.” The patient stated that Leezel is “loving, caring, and compassionate, and she is simply a joy to have in our house.”
“I felt seen and heard by her.”
Nurse Joy Clarke was praised by a hospice patient who said, “She is wonderful and excellent. She validated my feelings, and I felt seen and heard by her.”
“A beautiful person.”
A patient called to thank licensed social worker Elza Moskowitz for the help she provided him. He stated that Elza was “a beautiful person, inside and out, and I am very thankful for her.”
“I give you all an A+.”
A letter was sent in by a hospice patient’s son, praising hospice nurses Yana Guzman, Mirella Jagessar, and Berkis Oken. “They all took exceptional care, taking time to make my mom feel comfortable during this latest illness, and made me feel better, as well,” the son wrote. “I give you all an A+.”
“You guys have a heart of gold.”
A hospice patient’s family commended the Queens NE team, especially coordinator of care Myrtha Civil and licensed social worker Kimberley Rodney, for “easing this painful process.” The family added, “Thank you for all the help and support that you gave my mother and us. You guys have a heart of gold. I have no words to express how appreciative and thankful we are.”
“She took care of me like I was her own mother.”
Another Queens patient called to say that she really enjoyed the care that home health aide Elisa Vallejo gave to her—noting, “She took care of me like I was her own mother.”
“She is the best physical therapist!”
Physical therapist Lissy Lau received a compliment through our social media channels, praising her for being “the best physical therapist!”
Staten Island
“My family will never forget the outstanding comprehensive and compassionate care!”
The family of a hospice patient wrote in to express their gratitude to the Staten Island hospice team. They especially thanked hospice team manager Janine Dalessandro, coordinator of care Elaine Gillard, and licensed social worker Sabhire Ljulja for the outstanding care provided to their mother-in-law. “My family will never forget the outstanding comprehensive and compassionate care received from VNS Health Hospice,” they noted. “Thank you!”
Westchester
“Pleased with all of the care received from VNS Health.”
Another Westchester patient called to say how “pleased I was with all the care I received from VNS Health.” She stated that all the nurses were “wonderful” and that she was especially grateful to nurse Doretta Galasso.
“You are amazing!”
A Westchester patient phoned to thank nurse Marie Petrone for saving his life. “Thank you, Marie—you are amazing!” he said. “I am so grateful to you. I would not be alive today if not for having services from VNS Health.”
“I could not ask for a better person.”
Physical therapist Gelsomina Rinaldi was recently complimented by a patient for making her so “comfortable.” The patient added that Gelsomina “didn’t push, but helped. I could not ask for a better person.”
“My father is thriving.”
A patient’s daughter called to request home health aide Michelle Gilchrist as her father’s permanent aide. “Michelle is fabulous,” said the daughter. “My father is thriving. I have not seen my him this happy!”
Health Plan Member Commendations
“A thorough explanation, a great worker, and very patient!”
A member’s son called to praise contact center agent Maritza Ng for providing a thorough explanation, and for being a “great worker and very patient!” “You are truly an asset to the CCSS team!” he added.
“She took the time to listen to me.”
Another VNS Health plan member phoned in to commend contact center agent Ronique Rollocks, saying that “she took the time to listen to me. The conversation we had was so great that I felt it was an answer to my prayers. I was trying for several weeks to get answers and they did not come together until this morning when Ronique answered the phone.” The member went on to say, “Ronique touches my heart in a way that I want to shout out loud how impressed I am by her attention to detail, kindness, and availability as to what the plan offers to members.”
“Very, very helpful.”
Contact center agent Jasmin Harry was recently complimented by a plan member who said that she was “very, very helpful.” Jasmin also received praise from another member who reported that “Jasmin provided extremely supreme services to me. It was a pleasure for me to speak to her. She showed concern and followed through when needed. She really made a difference.” A third member also commended Jasmin, calling her a “true gem.”
“You shared your smile and eagerness to assist.”
The daughter of one of our members sent a note thanking membership coordinator Milagros Lopez for providing “outstanding customer service.” “The instant you answered the phone, you shared your smile and eagerness to assist,” wrote the daughter. “Because of your efforts, my mom was able to reinstate her home nurse visits. Thank you for being so patient, well informed, and detail oriented. Please continue to be just as you are.”
“Very happy and satisfied.”
A member called in to express her satisfaction with the service provided by contact center agent Julie Chin. “I am very happy and satisfied,” the member said.
“He resolved the issue on the first call.”
Contact center agent Erison Melo received glowing praise for how he handled a recent call from a social worker at MJHS Hospice. “Erison went above and beyond,” the supervisor said. “Instead of just sending the message along, he resolved the issue right there and then for the social worker on the first call.”
“An angel.”
Another plan member expressed her satisfaction with the service provided by contact center agent Caridad Clase. “Caridad is an angel sent,” stated the member.
