Home Care
Meet VNS Health’s 2024 Occupational Therapist of the Year!
April 18, 2024–April is Occupational Therapy Month—when we honor our more than 70 occupational therapists (OTs) and certified occupational therapy assistants (COTAs). During this past Wednesday’s Occupational Therapy Month celebration, the 2024 Occupational Therapist of the Year was announced. And the winner is… Manhattan OT Dina Klein! Dina, who has been an OT with VNS Health Home Care for 12 years, serves a diverse community of patients on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Here are some other interesting facts about this year’s honoree: Dina on why she loves doing occupational therapy: “I enjoy providing motivation to my patients and letting them know they can do more than they think they can,” says Dina. “If we make our patients’ lives a little better, help relieve the caregiver burden, or prevent one fall, then we make an important difference in their lives.” She knows that little things can make a big difference. Dina
Latest Home Care News
We Asked Field Clinicians: “How Have You Made a Difference in Someone’s Life?”
September 19, 2023–In this latest episode of “Ask VNS Health,” Home Care team members tell how they are living the mission. Click here below to see what that said. To view more Ask VNS Health videos like this, click here.
Arthur Fitting, LGBTQ+ Program Manager Reflects in Daily Nurse on the Lessons Learned from Caring for HIV/AIDS patients
September 18, 2023–
Living the Mission: A Day in the Life of RN, Emperatriz Rivas
July 12, 2023–Welcome to “A Day in the Life”—the Frontline series that follows team members from different parts of VNS Health as they go about a typical day fulfilling our organization’s mission—to improve the health and well-being of people through high-quality, cost-effective health care in the home and community. When Emperatriz Rivas joined VNS Health last year as a Home Care nurse in Staten Island, she brought a wealth of nursing experience with her, having spent seven years working as an ICU nurse in her native Colombia and then as a visiting nurse after she emigrated to the U.S. in 2016. For Emperatriz—or “Em,” as her patients call her—nursing is all about the patient. “To see a patient improving under my care, and know that I’ve helped them, is incredibly satisfying to me,” she says. Here is how Emperatriz describes a typical day on the job: 5:00 a.m. I like to
Shannon Whittingon, GAP Clinical Director Given Special Spotlight in Crain’s Health Pulse
July 10, 2023–
Meet the Team Behind the Teams that Provide Care to Our Patients
July 6, 2023–How well do you know VNS Health’s Contract Administration team and the many things they do on behalf of our mission? If the answer is “not well,” then keep reading. Here are 10 things you may be surprised to know about our amazing Contract Administration team!
Honoring Trans Trailblazers With a Neighborhood Spotlight on the Life-Changing Care of Our Gender Affirmation Program
June 29, 2023–In honor of two pioneering transgender heroes, Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, who were part of the Stonewall Riots that took place from June 28th to July 3rd in 1969, this Neighborhood Spotlight video celebrates 54 years of progress since the start of the LGBTQ+ movement. The life-changing expert care and support offered by our Gender Affirmation Program (GAP) is another example of the VNS Health mission in action. Watch the powerful story of how GAP helps transgender patients be who they truly are.
Crain’s Health Pulse Spotlights Arthur Fitting Among Notable LGBTQIA+ LEaders
June 29, 2023–
Healthcare Business Review Interviews Elsa Lam, VP Regional Patient Care Services, on the Future of Home Care
June 15, 2023–
Then and Now: The VNS Health Nurse’s Bag… and Rolling Bag Backpack
May 31, 2023–In celebration of National Nurses Month, Frontline did some digging through the VNS Health archives that are housed at Columbia University. We unearthed some historic photos of a nurse’s bag, like this one from 1953 of a VNS Health nurse laying out the contents of her bag. We also came upon this photo from approximately 1938, showing a display of the contents from a nurse’s bag. 85 years later, what’s changed in the supplies that VNS Health nurses take with them on home visits, and what’s stayed the same? Let’s take a look! In 1938, a VNS Health nurse carried: Today, VNS Health nurses carry: Hygiene Materials:SoapAlcohol SwabsHand SanitizerPaper Towels Isopropyl Alcohol Personal Protection Equipment:Isolation GownApron 3 Ply Earloop Mask N95 Respirator Mask Goggles Head Covers Shoe Covers Patient Care Materials:Blood Pressure Cuff Stethoscope Documentation Materials:Tablet Start of Care Packet Patient Care Supplies:Towel Drapes 4”x4” Gauze Gloves