Sherryl Reid, Interdisciplinary Care Team Lead, Brooklyn & Staten Island

Helping Co-Workers and Patients Succeed

When Sherryl Reid learned that she was an ESPRIT award winner, her first reaction was surprise. “I don’t see what I do as extraordinary in any way,” she says. “I just love my job. I’m very committed to and passionate about what I do. I believe in helping everyone, so if someone comes up to me with a question, I’ll take that five minutes to help.”

Sherryl, who launched her VNSNY career 23 years ago as a field nurse, says that in her work as an interdisciplinary care team lead (ICTL)—and now as a Brooklyn branch director, following VNSNY’s recent reorganization—she tries to be thoughtful at all times in her interactions with others, and to treat people the way she would want to be treated. “I think people gravitate to me because I’m a nurturer by nature,” she says. “When I meet a person and work with them, we develop a relationship—I take that person as my own, because I want people to succeed.”

“Sherryl makes herself available to her team seven days a week, 24 hours a day,” noted one of her ESPRIT nominating letters. “She is a great listener, empathetic and always willing to assist.” Another colleague noted, “She is the first person in the office daily and last person to end her day. Everyone can always count on her help with problem-solving, scheduling and staffing. She has an excellent rapport with staff and a unique style in maximizing staff potential while fostering team work. She is dedicated to the vision and mission of VNSNY.”

Sherryl adds that she goes into an especially high gear whenever an issue arises with a patient, “because at VNSNY, our gold standard of care is so important. I work very hard to work with all involved—from the managers to the clinicians to the patient involved—to get a good resolution. It’s all about our ability to help the patient. A good day for me is knowing that people can ask me for help and that I’m able to help them—and knowing that they’re grateful for it. A simple ‘thank you’ is rewarding for me.”