Behavioral Health
Latest Behavioral Health News
Meet the Winner of Our 2026 Outstanding Team Performance Award
October 22, 2026–The Outstanding Team Performance Award is open to any team that has gone above and beyond in their duties and worked collaboratively with each other and/or other departments, demonstrating commitment to innovation and/or success of the organization. This may include situations where teams may have effectively managed and excelled during situations with unforeseen circumstances, emergencies or high-stress situations. This year, 22 teams were nominated for this award. To see a full list and who the finalists were for this award, click here. For the members of Behavioral Health’s Mobile Crisis Float Team, every day presents unique challenges. Launched in July 2025 under a contract with New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the team’s job is to step in, often on short notice, when another mobile crisis team in the city is unavailable. Six days a week, this team reports to work without knowing which neighborhood, or even
Announcing Our 2026 VNS Health ESPRIT Award Winners!
October 11, 2026–79 team members from across the organization were nominated for an ESPRIT Award this year, and 10 people from this group were chosen as winners by a committee of previous ESPRIT Award Winners! ESPRIT Awards are given to employees who exemplify our core values of Empathy, Agility and Integrity, going above and beyond in support of our patients, members and clients. To see a list of all the nominees, including those who were finalists, click here. Congratulations to this year’s ESPRIT Award Winners! To read more about each winner and their award, click on the links below. Stephania Casimir, Supervisor, Medicare Advantage Care Management, Health Plans To read more about Stephania and her award, click here. Jackie Davis, Operations Manager, Hospice Care To read more about Jackie and her award, click here. Felicia Dorsey, Care Manager, Health Home, Behavioral Health To read more about Felicia and her award, click here.
Meet Our 2026 ESPRIT Award Winner: Felicia Dorsey
October 11, 2026–In her nearly 20 years with VNS Health, Felicia Dorsey has dedicated herself to helping people living with serious mental illness hold on to a stable life. As a Care Manager in Behavioral Health’s Health Home Program, she works with some of the program’s most complex, vulnerable clients. These individuals are often wary of offers of help, so Felicia’s first goal is to earn their trust. “I meet people where they are,” she says. “I listen, I treat people with respect, and I advocate for them.” Felicia recalls one client who had become disconnected from services and was about to lose their place in a housing program. “This client was very difficult to work with,” she says, “but I was able to build a rapport.” Once she had won the client over, Felicia was able to complete a housing application for them and find them a new home. Another client,
Meet Our 2026 ESPRIT Award Winner: Crystal Laikhram
October 11, 2026–Children and teenagers in a behavioral health crisis often keep whatever is troubling them to themselves. But Crystal Laikhram, a Psychiatric Social Worker with our Bronx Children’s Mobile Crisis Program, has a gift for helping them express what’s bothering them. “I go into every situation with an open mind,” she says, “and I’m glad I can give them a sense that they are safe with me.” As a frontline Behavioral Health clinician, Crystal visits the homes of young people up to age 20 who are dealing with urgent behavioral health concerns. She assesses their mental state, including their risk of suicide, and then connects them to the right level of care, whether that means hospitalization or outpatient services. “The most rewarding part of my job is when a child or teen in crisis opens up about what is bothering them, so I can help,” she says. Sometimes what’s shared may
Deirdre DeLeo Raises Awareness About Suicide Prevention and Depression for Members of the New York State Court System.
October 6, 2026–
Home Health Care News Spotlights VNS Health’s Innovative Approach to Care, including Vitalic Partnership and Dementia Care at Home Program,
October 2, 2026–
Making Things Easier, Solving Problems… Sure, But How? Watch Our Latest “Up Close with Dan!”
September 28, 2026–In this new video, CEO Dan Savitt explores ways we can build on where we are today to “work toward One VNS Health.” And apparently … there’s a GAME SHOW involved? Click here below to watch!
Forbes Names VNS Health One of America’s Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals
September 23, 2026–
Safe Pathways Peer Specialist Patrick Gaughan Speaks to the Importance of Educating the Community on BH Resources in The Bronx Times
September 14, 2026–