Team Members in the Media: January and February Highlights!
While we’re just a few months into 2026, VNS Health is already busy making positive headlines—from team members going above and beyond for the community, to news of exciting partnerships and our trail-blazing leadership in care delivery. Plus, check out the latest stories spotlighting VNS Health’s commitment to our Core Values of Empathy, Agility and Integrity!
Team members featured in news stories this past January and February include:
- Natalie Kovacs, Parachute Program Coordinator, Behavioral Health
- Teresa Lin, VP, Cultural Market Development, Health Plans
- Sabine Noel, Clinical Evaluation Manager, Health Plans
- Jean Verlus, RN, Home Care
- Dan Savitt, President and CEO
- Jim Rolla, SVP, Personal Care
- Robert McAlonan, Director, Behavioral Health, Health Plans,
- Devin Woodley, VP, Managed Care Contracting
- Esther Conteh, VP, Care Management, Health Plans
- Kaiser Mojica, RN, Home Care
National and Local Media Share News of VNS Health and iCircle Collaboration
News of VNS Health and iCircle’s partnership to strengthen access to managed long-term care across Western New York made headlines in prominent national outlets, including The Associated Press, Yahoo! Finance, and HomeCare Magazine. The story was also widely covered in local New York media, including a feature story in The Rochester Business Journal, WPIX11; CBS affiliates in Rochester and Buffalo; ABC affiliates serving Albany, Utica, Watertown, and Syracuse; NBC affiliates in Elmira and Binghamton; and the FOX affiliate in the Champlain Valley.Other print and digital outlets covering the news included The Buffalo News, The Schenectady Gazette, The Finger Lakes Times, Batavia Daily News Online, The Glens Falls Star, The Auburn Citizen, Oswego County News, and the Northern New York Newspapers Network.
Natalie Kovacs, Teresa Lin, Sabine Noel, and Jean Verlus Named to “Frontline Honors Class of 2025” by WTWH Healthcare
WTWH Healthcare—a media platform that includes influential industry outlets like Home Health Care News, Behavioral Health Business, Skilled Nursing News, and Hospice News—announced the winners of their annual “Frontline Honors Award,” recognizing frontline healthcare workers who have gone above and beyond to serve the community in fields such as home care, behavioral health, and skilled nursing. Four VNS Health team members, Natalie Kovacs, Parachute Program Coordinator, Teresa Lin, VP, Cultural Market Development, Sabine Noel, Clinical Evaluation Manager, and RN Jean Verlus were among the distinguished list of honorees chosen from around the nation. Read more on Frontline here!
Dan Savitt Predicts Home Care Trends for the Coming Year
President & CEO Dan Savitt shared his predictions for home care in 2026 in a Home Health Care News story featuring insights from home care leaders across the industry on the biggest trends, challenges and opportunities they face. In the article, Dan calls for reversing negative payment trends in home health and ensuring that CMS and Congress “turn intention in action,” while also championing AI and other technology that helps clinicians deliver better, more efficient care without replacing skilled professionals. Read the full article on Frontline.
Rob McAlonan Talks Peer Support and Behavioral Health Innovation on the Expanding Access Podcast
An episode of the “Expanding Access” podcast from Behavioral Health Tech featured an in-depth interview with Robert McAlonan, Behavioral Health Director, Health Plans. Also joining the show was Shrenik Jain, Founder and CEO of Marigold Health. A VNS Health partner, Marigold is an AI-powered digital platform providing support for individuals facing mental health or substance use challenges. During the interview, Rob spoke about VNS Health’s role as both a health plan and community-based provider, and how the organization focuses on whole-person care for members with complex behavioral health needs. He also described how our Marigold partnership makes peer support more accessible and scalable, especially during high-risk transitions, while improving engagement, outcomes, and the overall member experience. Watch the full interview below!
Jim Rolla Shares Advice on Finding the Right HHA in The Yonkers Times
The Yonkers Times published a health tips article by Jim Rolla, SVP, Personal Care, detailing the factors families should consider when selecting a personal care aide or home health aide to assist a loved one with Activities of Daily Living. Jim outlines how choosing an HHA through a licensed agency can ease caregiving demands by providing personalized assistance, safety oversight, and continuity of care at home. Read the full story here.
Home Health Care News Features Industry Insights from Devin Woodley
A story in Home Health Care News about industry shifts discussed at January’s Home Care 100 Conference. featured insights from Devin Woodley, VP, Managed Care Contracting. In his comments, Devin emphasized that private payers are pulling back on innovation and value‑based programs, while CMS’s Innovation Center is becoming the primary driver of new models. He also highlighted widespread interest in the new ACCESS model, noting both its potential for improved care management and the uncertainty that providers continue feel about its implementation. Read on Frontline here.
Esther Conteh Explains How Social Care Networks Help Communities Thrive
Buffalo Healthy Living featured an article by Esther Conteh, VP Care Management, in which Esther explains how Social Care Networks (SCNs) are helping Western New Yorkers stay healthy. The article notes that many older New Yorkers struggle to access essentials like food, transportation, and stable housing, and highlights how New York State’s newly launched regional SCNs connect Medicaid members with local community resources to address these gaps and improve health outcomes. It also spotlights WNYICC — VNS Health’s regional SCN partner in Western New York. Read her article in full on Frontline
News12 Spotlights our Frontline Heroes Braving Snowy Conditions!
During the January snowstorm, News12 published a photo slideshow of New Yorkers navigating the icy streets, including a photograph of Home Care RN Kaiser Mojica as he braved the cold temperatures and tall snow drifts to reach his patients. See the photo on Frontline here.
