Behavioral Health
Latest Behavioral Health News
Meet Our 2021 ESPRIT Winners!
November 16, 2021–
Watch this video of our VNSNY Impact Challenge final round, where everyone is a winner!
October 15, 2021–34 proposals, 10 weeks, 8 teams, 5 final presentations…here it is – the final round! Now you can relive the experience the five finalist VNSNY Impact Challenge teams had when they went before a panel of esteemed experts to present their proposals addressing health disparities. Watch your colleagues present with flair and then take tough questions from the expert panel that included President and CEO Dan Savitt and special “mystery guest” panelist, Marki Flannery. Watch the drama and excitement of the day by clicking here below.
An Interview with Jessica Fear, VNSNY’s New Senior Vice President of Community Mental Health Services (CMHS)
September 13, 2021–In May, Jessica Fear was appointed as the new Senior Vice President and head of VNSNY’s Community Mental Health Services (CMHS). This is Jessica’s second stint at VNSNY. Frontline spoke with her recently about her new role and her vision for CMHS. Before we talk about your new position, can you tell us a little about your previous time at CMHS? First of all, I can’t talk about my role here without paying tribute to Neil Pessin, who recently retired from his role as Vice President of CMHS. He started the division and was at the helm for 35 years, ensuring its successful growth and consistent commitment to excellent care for the most disenfranchised New Yorkers. I’m thrilled to be able to continue that legacy. Neil brought me on in 2004, and I went on to work here for 10 years. Before that, I did many years of direct
Manhattan Voice Features Deirdre DeLeo for National Suicide Prevention Week
September 10, 2021–
BronxNet TV Features Deirdre DeLeo for Suicide Prevention Week
September 8, 2021–
“30 Minutes with Dan” Salutes the Exceptional Consumer Experience!
August 25, 2021–“Amazing!” “Outstanding!” “Above and beyond!” These are just some of the words our patients, members, and clients use when we exceed their expectations. In the August episode of “30 Minutes,” Dan interviews staff from across the organization about what it takes to create an exceptional consumer experience, including Elaine Gillard (Hospice), Mike Guglielmelli (CHHA), Jennifer Kaya (CMHS), Claudia Morrison (Partners in Care), Laura Mattos (Partners in Care), Christine Odom (CCSS), and Vidya Hosein-Anderson (Hospice). Click here below to watch this latest episode and hear what they say! And here’s the “On the Go!” version of “30 Minutes with Dan.” We’ve broken out the August episode into short segments so you can watch it on the go! That’s a Fact! Around with Dan in Astoria, Queens and Mosholu Parkway in the Bronx! Roundtable Discussion at Cloves Lake Park on Staten Island! High-5!
The Results Are In — Here Are the Eight VNSNY Impact Challenge Finalists!
August 16, 2021–The first round of the inaugural VNSNY Impact Challenge is now concluded, and the results have been tremendous! In all, 34 proposals from VNSNY staff were received by the July 16th deadline, including submissions by teams and by individuals. They covered a wide range of potential program launches or enhancements, all aimed at reducing health disparities in the various communities served by VNSNY. “Along with the rest of VNSNY’s leadership, I want to thank all the staff members who contributed their ideas and efforts to this competition,” says VNSNY President and CEO Dan Savitt, who was part of the review committee. “Every proposal was extremely impressive and well thought out. I can tell you that selecting finalists from this outstanding group was not easy!” The proposals that did not advance to the finals will continue to be closely evaluated for their potential impact on VNSNY’s operations, adds Catherine Callaway, Senior
Find Out What’s Happening… News Briefs from Around VNSNY!
August 12, 2021–Welcome to the latest edition of “News Briefs from Around VNSNY”— featuring quick updates on recent news and virtual events across the organization. If you have a news brief you’d like to be considered for an upcoming edition, please click here to submit your idea. VNSNY Launches Oncology Hospice Program As part of its ongoing effort to provide our hospice patients with the best possible quality of life, VNSNY Hospice has launched a specialized support program for complex cancer patients and their loved ones. The program, which was piloted with a major New York City academic medical center, builds on VNSNY Hospice’s experience implementing similar programs for patients with congestive heart failure and COPD. Because people with terminal cancer and their families deal with high levels of fear, stress and complex needs, the program’s aim is to provide these patients and families with an extra layer of support. To help in the
Here They Are, the Most Recent Patient Letters and CHOICE Member Commendations
August 4, 2021–The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to prove the resilience and dedication of our entire VNSNY staff. The following are excerpts from a few of the many recent letters, phone calls, and emails that we’ve received from grateful patients, plan members and family members that reflect an outstanding consumer experience. To read the August 2021 Patient Letters, click here. To read the August 2021 CHOICE Commendations, click here.