Behavioral Health
Latest Behavioral Health News
A Monster Snowstorm Doesn’t Faze Our Team Members! See Photos, Video!
January 27, 2026–Wow, what a snowstorm we just had! And now, freezing temps! But that doesn’t keep us from providing care to our patients, members and clients! To see snowstorm photos and a selfie video from team members sent in, look here below! If you have a snowstorm photo you’d like to share, please submit it to Frontline here, and we’ll add it to the gallery. Ernesto Aglibot, Hospice RN, did not let an iced-over wiper stop him from seeing patients!
Team Members in the News: December Highlights!
January 13, 2026–December may be a time when much of the world slows down, but when it comes to great stories in the press, VNS Health was full speed ahead last month! From our MAP and MLTC health plans achieving 5 Stars to powerful accounts of care and compassion delivered at home, our organization continues to make headlines,—reflecting the many ways VNS Health team members go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of others so that they can continue to live at home and in their communities. Team members featured in December news stories include: Associated Press Highlights VNS Health MAP Plan’s 5-Star Ratings The Associated Press reported that VNS Health’s dual-eligible Medicaid Advantage Plus (MAP) plan, VNS Health Total (HMO D-SNP), earned a five-star Overall Quality Rating from the New York State Department of Health for the second consecutive year—making it once again the only MAP plan in the state
Winter Blues Got You Down? Take This Quiz!
January 13, 2026–The short, dark days of winter are here, which can often bring on the winter blues. Today, as part of our quiz series to showcase our organization’s incredible health care expertise, we asked Behavioral Health’s Annmarie Franco to create a quiz on the winter blues and what to do if you’re feeling the blahs this time of year. How much do you know about the winter blues? Take Annmarie’s quiz and find out!
Behavioral Health Fellowship Holds Graduation Ceremony
December 22, 2025–On December 17, the Behavioral Health Multidisciplinary Fellowship program honors eight graduating members of this year’s cohort. The one-year program provides psychiatric mental health professionals at VNS Health with additional specialized training on various aspects of community mental health. Congratulations to the 2025 Fellowship graduates: Margaret Isoh, Sam Humleker, Shantel Mayris, Dominique Miller Dean, Reneicea Hughes, Usha Persaud, Susie Moscou, and Daphney Louis. Rebecca Miller Martinez also received a Certificate of Participation. See the photos here below.
VNS Health Behavioral Health Named a “Top Mental Health Care Provider” by City & State
December 9, 2025–
Keshia Lewis, Behavioral Health Promise Zone Supervisor, Receives MIPO Honor!
November 22, 2025–On October 5, MIPO, Inc. (Making the Impossible Possible) recognized Keshia Lewis, Promise Zone Supervisor for VNS Health’s Behavioral Health team, as one of 15 honorees at their 2025 Annual Gala with an Outstanding Citizenship Hall of Fame Award. The organization is dedicated to promoting the quality of life of immigrant youth and their families residing in the New York metropolitan area.
From Home Health Aide to Community Nurse: Meet Behavioral Health’s Marie Tisi
November 11, 2025–Marie Tisi was on the 22nd floor of a Brooklyn apartment building when the second tower of the World Trade Center fell on 9/11. She and her patient, on oxygen for COPD, watched out the window as the building collapsed. While the city reeled in shock, Marie stayed with her patient, ensuring that their oxygen levels remained stable, their medication was administered, and they had someone by their side during the unfathomable tragedy. “We are always here for New Yorkers regardless of what is happening,” says Marie. “Blackouts, hurricanes, pandemics. When the towers came down, I and my frontline colleagues were out and about the next day.” That moment crystallizes Marie’s approach to her 25-year career: showing up for her community, whatever the circumstances. Now a Behavioral Health Nurse with our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team in Brooklyn, over the years Marie has been integral to a number of community-based
See the Photos, a Video, and a Recording of the 2025 VNS Health Annual Awards Ceremony!
November 4, 2025–On Monday, October 27, team members from across the organization gathered for a very special evening to celebrate 38 team members who were honored at our 2025 VNS Health Annual Awards Ceremony. Over 400 people also watched the celebration simultaneously through a live-stream link. Now you can see the celebration photos, watch a video about the event, and watch a recording of the full celebration. Congratulations to all the team members who were honored! Here is a video highlighting the event with Charity Shubert reporting! Here is a recording of the awards ceremony: To see our 2025 VNS Health Award winners and read their stories, click here! To see a complete list of all the nominees, click here!
Announcing Our 2025 VNS Health Award Winners!
October 27, 2025–Read Their Stories and See the Full List of Nominees! Last night, on Monday, October 27, team members from across the organization were recognized and celebrated as the very best of the best in exemplifying VNS Health’s mission and Core Values of Empathy, Integrity and Agility! The event included those who had received awards earlier in the year, as well as presentations to the newly announced winners of the Phyllis Mills Living Legend Award, the ESPRIT Awards, and the VNS Health Outstanding Team Performance Award. To see all the team members who were nominated for these awards, click here. Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners! Click on their names here below to read more about them and their award. Home Care Nurse Preceptor Team 2025 Outstanding Team Performance Award Teresa Lin 2025 Phyllis Mills Living Legend Award (Click here for the finalists.) Michael Alcantara 2025 ESPRIT Award Jonelle