Summer News Briefs: Catch Up on What’s Happening Around VNS Health

Summer is here! And so is the latest edition of News Briefs—a quick and easy way to catch up on news, updates, and happenings across the organization over the past few months.

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

Health Plans Launch New Provider Portal

On July 13th, VNS Health implemented a “soft launch” of its new Health Plans Provider Portal. During this first phase, a select group of 12 providers will take the portal for a test drive and offer feedback. After making any needed adjustments based on their input, use of the portal will be extended to the Health Plans’ entire provider network in August. The online portal offers providers a wide range of features, including 24/7 access to authorizations, claims, eligibility, and more—all without picking up the phone. Additional features and functions will be added in the weeks and months to come, so stay tuned!  Plus, coming very soon: Our new Health Plans Member Portal is about to go live!

Behavioral Health’s “Safe Pathway” Suicide Prevention Program for At-Risk Youth

The Behavioral Health team has a new support program called Safe Pathway, designed to help LGBTQ+ and BIPOC adolescents and young adults at risk for suicide and self-harm. The program, which has been up and running since the start of this year, has two components: It provides one-on-one and family counseling for at-risk New York City residents from the ages of 10 to 24; and it is also partnering with a leading suicide prevention training provider to educate clinicians, teachers, parents, community organizations and others on how to address this health crisis.

“The program’s goal is to arm these groups with the skills they need to listen, identify, and help an LGBTQ+ or BIPOC child or young adult whose life may be at risk,” explains Alex Karydi, Director of Behavioral Health Product Development. “Most young people who are suicidal report being unable to access mental health services, so connecting these youngsters with treatment is key.” VNS Health is one of five organizations that received seed funding from the New York State Office of Mental Health to help spearhead the Safe Pathway Coalition, a network of primary and mental health care providers, advocacy and social service providers, foster care and shelters, and tech-based care management. To read more, click here.

VNS Health’s Staten Island Office Moves to New Location

On May 22nd, after 20 years at 1150 South Avenue, VNS Health moved its Staten Island regional office up the road to 1441 South Avenue. Besides being more cost-efficient, the new location features a sleek, modern design with lots of windows, a view of the Manhattan skyline and plenty of parking! See the photos here.

Happy Anniversary!

2023 is a year of milestone anniversaries at VNS Health. The first milestone anniversary is our Health Plans, which are celebrating 25 years of providing exceptional coverage to their members. Next is our Center for Home Care Policy & Research, which has been adding to our knowledge base and shaping national policy around home- and community-based care for 30 years. VNS Health Personal Care and Hospice are also both celebrating 40 years of providing outstanding care in 2023. And last but certainly not least, VNS Health reached the 130-year mark this year! While a lot has changed over the years, one thing remains the same: our mission to improve the health and well-being of people through high-quality, cost-effective health care in the home and community.

Meet VNS Health’s Newest Nurse Residency Graduates

Yvesdline Laforest (pictured left) and Sara Silverman are the newest graduates of VNS Health’s Nurse Residency Program! The comprehensive, two-year program is designed to make the growing field of home-care nursing more accessible to new nurses. Its curriculum includes several weeks of daily classes, after which the nurse residents shadow experienced VNS Health nurse preceptors in the field, gaining invaluable hands-on experience, skills, and confidence. To learn more about the Nurse Residency Program, click here.   

Personal Care Team Raises Awareness about Elder Abuse

June 15th was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), a day when people across the world come together and wear purple to raise awareness about older adults who are experiencing elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. WEAAD was launched in 2006 by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization at the United Nations to promote a better understanding of abuse of older adults and its many physical, cultural, social, and economic impacts. For photos of VNS Health Personal Care team members dressed in purple to commemorate WEAAD.

HomeCare HomeBase Conference Highlights

VNS Health was well represented by team members from Home Care, Hospice, Quality, Revenue Cycle, and IT at Homecare Homebase’s annual conference in Dallas, Texas on June 12th through 14th. The organization’s attendees also participated in pre-conference cabinet sessions that were split between clinical and financial/back office topics. In addition, HomeCare HomeBase recognized VNS Health in the Home Health KPI Excellence category, an honor given to clients performing in the top 3% nationally for 60-Day Re-Hospitalization rates. The award was accepted by Elsa Lam, VP, Regional Patient Care Services.   

VNS Health Presents at LGBTQ+ Alzheimer’s Conference 

On June 6th, VNS Health LGBTQ+ Program Manager Arthur Fitting gave a presentation including best practices to nearly 70 nurses, social workers, and health care administrators at the LGBTQ+ Health Alzheimer’s Continuing Education Conference. His presentation, which was rooted in Arthur’s personal and professional experiences, outlined the unique challenges LGBTQ+ patients face when losing their memory, and emphasized the importance of showing respect for and truly understanding LGBTQ+ culture as well as respecting the person’s authentic self as we care for these community members.

In addition, Gloria Santiago, Account Manager, Business Development, outlined the various services VNS Health can provide to LGBTQ+ Alzheimer’s patients. Elizabeth Ilnitzki, Account Manager, Private Care, also gave a presentation on Personal Care’s new Dementia Care at Home Program, which provides a customized approach in helping enhance quality of life for patients with cognitive impairment.

The conference was sponsored by VNS Health Personal Care, Watermark assisted living facility in Brooklyn Heights, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, and Renewal Memory Partners.

VNS Health Neighborhood Spotlight Story Wins Silver Telly Award

In June, the VNS Health Neighborhood Spotlight story, “How the Health Home Program at VNS Health Helped One New Yorker in the Marathon of Life,” featuring Health Home client Adrian Soto and Behavioral Clinicians Natasha Dixon, Akelia Peart and others has been honored with the prestigious Silver Telly Award.  Entries for the Telly Awards are judged by members of the Telly Award Judging Council, comprised of over 200+ industry experts who are leading professionals from top advertising and production companies, networks, and content studios. Find a link here to our award.

AIDS Walk New York 2023

On May 21st, 35 team members from across the organization (along with family, friends and pets) joined the SelectHealth team to participate in AIDS Walk New York 2023 in Central Park. The event raised over $2 million in support of New Yorkers affected by HIV/AIDS, with the SelectHealth team contributing more than $3,200 to that total. Departments represented in the walk included Community Outreach, Marketing, Product Management, Project Management, Behavioral Health, Care Management, and the LGBTQ+ Program. See the photos here:

VNS Health Golf Classic Raises Nearly $275,000 for Our Veterans Program

The VNS Health 2023 Golf Classic was held at the Wykagyl Country Club on Monday, May 22nd. Once again, the Golf Classic was a sold-out event, with 128 golfers registered. The participants enjoyed a day of perfect weather as the event raised nearly $275,000 for our Veterans Program. Visit the VNS Health 2023 Golf Classic website by clicking here to see a full list of supporters and here are some photos of the day.

Corporate Challenge 2023

21 VNS Health team members participated in the Corporate Challenge on May 31st. While some participants ran and others walked the 3.5-mile course, everyone had a terrific time getting to the finish line! See the photos here:  

Amazon Bestseller!

Gender Affirmation Program (GAP) Director Shannon Whittington’s new book, LGBTQ+ ABCs for Grownups, was named an Amazon Bestseller less than a week after its publication. Have you ever stumbled in conversations involving LGBTQ+ topics, felt a little uncomfortable, or maybe even had a feeling that you said the wrong thing? Do you ever get the feeling you might be ‘off base’ but had no one to ask? Shannon’s book serves as a how-to guide that provides the tools and knowledge you need to remove your “training wheels” and converse like a pro. To view the book’s Amazon listing, click here.

Downtown Cultural & Historic Walking Tour

On May 26, VNS Health’s Chinatown NNORC collaborated with University Settlement to host a cultural and historical walking tour of downtown Manhattan’s Chinatown and South Street Seaport districts for elderly residents of the community. Participants visited the Chinatown History Workshop; Lin Ze Xu Monument and Kimlau Square; Columbus Park and Statue of Sun Yat-sen; and the Seaport.

Kudos! VNS Health Team Members Receive External Awards and Honors

The first half of 2023 brought an extraordinary amount of recognition and success to VNS Health team members and programs—including a variety of awards and honors that spotlight the important contributions and efforts our teams make each day. Click here to read more about this truly remarkable list of accomplishments. 

To read previous editions of News from Around VNS Health, click here.