Team Members in the Media: May Highlights!
Our May media coverage showcased the one-of-a-kind dedication and celebration of our talented VNS Health team members. From heartfelt stories honoring our compassionate and inspiring nurses during National Nurses Month, to experts sharing key insights and groundbreaking research, every story was a testament to the meaningful care our teams deliver day in and day out.
Team members featured in May news stories include:
- Jean Verlus, Home Care Nurse and VNS Health 2025 Nurse of the Year
- Sharmaine Delph-Etienne, Home Care Nurse
- Constance Washington, RN, Care Coordinator, VNS Health Health Plans
- Matthew Louie, Home Care Nurse
- Chona Odchigue, Home Care Nurse
- Andrea Morris-Arzu, NORC Nurse
- Queens Hospice Care Nursing team
- Aman Shah, VP, New Ventures and Strategic Partnerships
- Melinda Wong, Safe Pathways Program Coordinator, Behavioral Health
- Darien Williams, Safe Pathways Peer Specialist, Behavioral Health
- Julia Burgdorf, Research Scientist, Center for Home Care Policy & Research
- Margaret McDonald, AVP, Center for Home Care Policy & Research
- VNS Health Center for Home Care Policy & Research team
NY1 and News12 Spotlight Nurse of the Year Jean Verlus and VNS Health Scholarship Announcement
NY1 and News 12 Bronx both aired inspiring stories about VHS Health’s 2025 Nurse of the Year Jean Verlus, and shared news of VNS Health’s announcement that our organization is designating five Touro University nursing school scholarships specifically for Bronx residents.
NY1 covered the story in a special “Around the Boroughs” segment hosted by anchor Ron Lee. As Jean notes in the NY1 feature, “I get up every day just to make a difference!” The story also includes perspective from Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson on the importance of nurses, as she joined VNS Health in the Bronx for our Nurses Month celebration in that borough, honoring the many nurses caring for the NYC community.
Long Island Press Details How Home Care Nurse Sharmaine Delph-Etienne Keeps Her Patients Healthy
For Nurses Month, The Long Island Press published a special profile of VNS Health Home Care nurse Sharmaine Delph-Etienne. The piece details the many ways Sharmaine helps keep people healthy and independent in their homes, as well as how she helps educate and support both patients and family caregivers. As she notes, “We’re not just treating the patient—we’re treating the whole environment to make sure they can heal.” Read the full story on Frontline here.
The Manhattan Voice Highlights How Home Care Nurses Make a Difference
Another Nurses Month article by Constance Washington, RN and Care Coordinator with VNS Health Health Plans, shares firsthand experience from VNS Health home health nurses on the unique role they play in community health. The article, published in The Manhattan Voice, features perspective from Home Care nurses Chona Odchigue and Matthew Louie, and NORC nurse Andrea Morris-Arzu. As Constance notes in the story,“Home care nurses truly embody the spirit of nursing itself…their empathy and dedication are a critical reminder of what ‘care’ really comes down to.” Read the full story on Frontline here.
The Queens Times Showcases Queens Nurses
The Queens Times spotlighted the VNS Health Nurses Month celebration in Queens, featuring a fun group photo of VNS Health Hospice Care Nurses at the event. See more on Frontline.
Aman Shah Featured in Forbes Story about “AI Best Practices”
An article in Forbes looks at key takeaways from health and tech industry leaders at the MedCity INVEST conference held this May. The piece includes perspective from Aman Shah, VP, New Ventures and Strategic Partnerships at VNS Health, that he provided during a panel discussion kicking off the event. Aman and others speak to the potential of AI, but also underscore the importance of companies ensuring they have a solid business practice in place before investing in new tech. Read the full piece here.
Safe Pathways Team Appears on BronxNet TV for Mental Health Awareness Month
The BronxNet TV program “Open” featured an in-depth interview with Behavioral Health’s Melinda Wong, Safe Pathways Program Coordinator, and Darien Williams, Safe Pathways Peer Specialist, on the prevalence and signs of suicide risk among youth, as well as what families can do if they think their child may be at risk. In the interview, tied to Mental Health Awareness Month, Melinda and Darien explain how their team provides education and resources not only for children but also for families and educators, to help address potential crises before they happen.
The New York Business Journal and Home Health Care News Focus on Research Scientist Julia Burgdorf and Her Team’s Dementia Research
Stories published in Home Health Care News and New York Business Journal report on new research by VNS Health Research Scientist Julia Burgdorf and the team at the Center for Home Care Policy & Research at VNS Health that highlights critical communication gaps in how home health providers are informed of a dementia diagnosis in new patients. The researchers also found that home health patients with a documented dementia diagnosis had longer hospital stays, higher emergency department use, and lower rates of discharge to self-care.
Read the full pieces here and here.
Margaret McDonald on the Importance of Addressing Language Barriers in Home Health
Home Health Care News investigated the importance of addressing language barriers between clinicians and their home care patients, featuring perspective from Margaret McDonald, AVP, Center for Home Care Policy and Research at VNS Health. In the piece, Margaret discusses how communication gaps impact care delivery and how those gaps can be closed. Read the full story on Frontline here.
Money Digest on Why VNS Health Health Plans Are a Great Choice for Utica Retirees
A story in Money Digest looks at the many reasons why Oneida Country, and specifically the city of Utica, is a great place for older adults to retire. The authors also identify the best and most affordable health care options in the area, putting a special focus on VNS Health’s long-term care Health Plans and our partnership with Mohawk Valley Health System. Read the whole piece here
