Community Outreach
Latest Community Outreach News
One VNS Health in Action: Check Out Our Latest Patient Letters and Commendations!
October 19, 2026–Want to feel incredibly inspired and proud of how, together, we help people in their health care journeys? Read our latest patient letters and health plan member commendations! To do that, simply scroll down or click on any of the areas below: Bronx “She really cared about me.” “I wish to thank and praise your excellent Nurse Desiree Gibson,” a Bronx patient wrote. “I find her to be a loving, caring, knowledgeable nurse and she’s done a wonderful job managing my case. I really look forward to her visits — they cheer me up. I also want to express my gratitude for Home Health Aide Ana Nunez. She was incredibly helpful and has a lovely disposition. She really cared about me.” “I’m very happy to have her!” Another Bronx patient expressed how pleased she was with Home Health Aide Kahwana Polite, noting, “She does a good job with me. I am very
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: Wai Kiu Man
October 11, 2026–An older couple who were having difficulty making ends meet were sharing an apartment with about 10 other people when they came to our Chinatown Neighborhood Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NNORC) office and met with Wai Kiu Man. Wai Kiu, a Licensed Social Worker, helped them secure SSI and SNAP benefits to ease their financial difficulties, then spent about a year guiding them through the affordable housing process. Last year, thanks in part to Wai Kiu’s assistance, the couple was able to move into their own apartment. “Seeing how much their lives changed is exactly why I became a social worker,” he says. For more than a decade, Chinatown’s older adults have brought Wai Kiu their problems with housing, finances, benefits and health. He knows the exact resources that can help them, as well as all the application requirements and deadlines that could possibly block their access to services they’re
VNS Health Celebrates 127 Bronx Families at Nurse-Family Partnership Graduation
October 5, 2026–On Wednesday, September 30, dozens of toddlers, parents and nurses gathered for the Bronx Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) graduation. The event also marked two decades of VNS Health’s Bronx NFP serving low-income families in the Bronx. Since launching in 2006, VNS Health’s Bronx NFP has served more than 8,000 families, including more than 640 this year! NFP pairs families with specially trained registered nurses who make regular home visits during pregnancy and through a child’s second birthday. Nurses provide health and parenting guidance, connect families with health care and community resources, and help parents navigate challenges and goals related to mental health, housing, education, employment and family life. To see photos of the graduation, click here below.
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!
Associated Press Shares News of Bronx Nurse Family Partnership’s Achievements, Growth, over 20 Years
September 23, 2026–
Forbes Names VNS Health One of America’s Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals
September 23, 2026–
How to Talk About Suicide—and Potentially Save a Life
September 14, 2026–September is Suicide Prevention Month—a time dedicated to raising awareness and supporting meaningful action around one of the most urgent mental health issues of our time. To mark this important occasion, Catherine Schaefer, Vice President, Quality, Provider Services, moderated a discussion with two VNS Health colleagues who bring decades of experience in suicide prevention: Jeri Goodman, Associate Director, Social Work Services, and Deirdre DeLeo, Director, Behavioral Health Programs. In their conversation, posted below, they discuss why talking about suicide matters, how to approach someone we’re concerned about, and the role all of us can play in creating a culture of connection and support. Catherine: Why is it so important that we talk openly about suicide? Jeri: Simply put, talking about suicide helps save lives. We want everybody to feel more comfortable talking about mental health struggles, and we want to de-stigmatize saying, “I need help and getting help.” There’s a
The Queens Times Spotlights Visit from Local Elected with the VNS Health Deepdale Cares NORC Team
September 10, 2026–