VNSNY in 2018 — The Year in Review!
2018 was a year of milestones at VNSNY: In addition to being the 125th anniversary of VNSNY’s founding, it was also the 35th anniversary of Partners in Care and VNSNY Hospice, the 25th anniversary of the VNSNY Research Center, and the 20th anniversary of CHOICE Managed Long-Term Care.
Here’s a look at some of the key moments that happened at VNSNY in 2018—a year marked by significant change and notable achievements.
January
The “Bomb Cyclone” Hits. On January 4th, the winter’s fiercest storm bringswinds of 50 miles per hour, patches of thunder and lightning, and up to a foot of steadily falling snow—but our dedicated clinicians and home health aides still make their way by mass transit, car, and on foot—and even by bicycle!—to reach the patients, clients, and members who depend on them.
Partners in Care Earns SAGE Certification. In late January, the LGBT seniors advocacy group SAGE awards Partners in Care Platinum-level certification. With this credential, all of Provider Services has now undergone SAGE training, making VNSNY a preferred provider for the city’s 750,000 LGBT residents.
Dan Savitt Joins VNSNY as EVP and Chief Financial Officer. As CFO, Dan is responsible for providing financial and strategic direction and guidance to VNSNY, and also oversees Information Technology, Managed Care Contracting, Revenue Cycle, and Data Analytics and Reporting.
February
VNSNY Celebrates the Chinese New Year. The arrival of the Chinese Lunar New Year on February 16th ushers in the Year of the Dog. To celebrate, VNSNY staff in Chinatown and Flushing hold a series of New Year’s events for the local community.
VNSNY staff (and their pets) also celebrate the Year of the Dog.
LGBT Grant Awarded. The New York Community Trust announces a $125,000 grant award to VNSNY aimed at improving health access and outcomes for New York City’s older LGBT residents. The grant covers the hiring of a project manager for VNSNY’s new LGBT Outreach and Expansion Project—a post filled by longtime VNSNY staffer Arthur Fitting.
March
March is National Social Work Month. In recognition of VNSNY’s social workers, Frontline posts “10 Interesting Facts” about these dedicated clinicians.
The VNSNY “Chair Fair.” In advance of the upcoming move of Manhattan staff to their new location at 220 East 42nd Street, VNSNY holds a “Chair Fair” at 1250 Broadway, where staff can test different office chairs and vote on which model they want installed in the new office.
And the winner is… click here!
Improving LGBT Seniors’ Access to Care. As part of National LGBT Health Awareness Week, from March 26–30, Rhonda Soberman, VNSNY’s Manager of Program Development, and Jennifer Brullo,Senior Vice President of Partners in Care, are interviewed on BronxNet TV about how VNSNY is overcoming barriers to care by creating a “welcoming and bias-free” space for older LGBT adults.
Wait—Isn’t It Spring?! VNSNY’s staff braves the fourth nor’easter in four weeks, as March 21st delivers a late snowstorm… and another memorable slideshow of selfies from the field!
April
Welcome Back, Marki! In mid-April, longtime VNSNY senior leader Marki Flannery returns as the organization’s President and CEO.
VNSNY’s Nurse-Family Partnership Goes to Albany. With New York State budget negotiations underway, a mom, baby and nurse from VNSNY’s Nurse-Family Partnership program travels to Albany to educate lawmakers about this vital program.
Volunteers in the Spotlight. In honor of National Volunteer Week, from April 15–21, Frontline highlights VNSNY’s diverse group of volunteers and the valuable work they do.
A VNSNY Legend Looks Back. As part of the organization’s ongoing 125th anniversary celebration, Frontline publishes the first part of a five-part interview with legendary nurse and regional manager Marilyn Liota, in which Marilyn reflects on her 60 years with VNSNY.
May
New Branding Campaign Launches. On May 20th, VNSNY’s new “Touching Lives” branding campaign debuts in the New York Times Magazine’s annual Health Issue, directly opposite Dr. Lisa Sanders’ popular medical mysteries column “Diagnosis.”
VNSNY Nurses in the Spotlight. In honor of National Nurses Week and to salute VNSNY’s 125-year-old commitment to the NYC community, BronxNet TV features an interview with two nurses from VNSNY Home Care.
HCA Honors Shannon Whittington. At its annual conference, the Home Care Association of New York presents its 2018 Quality and Innovation Award to VNSNY’s Shannon Whittington, RN for her work leading VNSNY’s Gender Affirmation initiative, which provides specialized home care support to patients following gender affirmation surgery.
CHOICE SelectHealth Passes NY State Department of Health Audit with Flying Colors. SelectHealth, VNSNY CHOICE’s Special Needs Plan for HIV-positive Medicaid recipients, undergoes a targeted, two-day audit by DOH and emerges with no corrective actions required.
Golfing for Hospice Veterans Program. The VNSNY Golf Classic, held in New Rochelle, raises $260,000 for VNSNY Hospice and Palliative Care’s special program for U.S. military veterans.
The 2017-2018 ACE Cohort Graduates. Twenty-seven participants are honored for completing the 2017-18 ACE Leadership course—VNSNY’s eighth since the program’s debut in 2004.
VNSNY Hospice Celebrates a Momentous Year. Following a year of challenges and notable successes, VNSNY Hospice and Palliative Care holds a special Gratitude Luncheon on May 9th at the Radisson Martinique Hotel for its staff members.
June
Michael Bernstein and David Rosales Return to VNSNY as EVPs. Marki Flannery continues to build her senior leadership team, as former VNSNY executives Michael Bernstein and David Rosales rejoin the organization—Michael as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, David as EVP and Chief Strategy Officer.
Historic VNSNY Video. In celebration of VNSNY’s 125th anniversary, the VNSNY Marketing Department collaborates with a noted Lillian Wald documentarian on a short video about Lillian’s trailblazing work, capturing VNSNY’s early years with long-forgotten film footage and hundreds of photos dating back to the 1920s.
VNSNY Shines During Pride Month. On June 3rd, VNSNY’s LGBT Outreach connects with the community at Queens’ official Pride parade and festival. A week later, VNSNY’s LGBT Outreach Program is featured in TV coverage of Brooklyn’s official Pride Day. Topping off Pride Month, on June 24th,200 VNSNY staff members, family and friends participate in New York City’s unforgettable PRIDE March 2018. This year, in a VNSNY first, VNSNY’s PRIDE March contingent features a float!
View our NYC PRIDE March video!
See photos of the VNSNY marchers!
SelectHealth Receives SAGE Certification. CHOICE SelectHealth is awarded Platinum-level certification from the SAGE organization—indicating that 80% or more of SelectHealth staff members have undergone SAGE’s LGBT cultural competency training.
Hospice Monthly Census Tops 1,100. VNSNY Hospice and Palliative Care achieves an average daily census of 1,105 patients in June, surpassing 1,100 for the first time. This is one in a string of record-setting months in 2018 for VNSNY’s hospice program.
July
HCHB Goes Live in Manhattan. VNSNY Provider Service’s new electronic medical record system, HomeCare HomeBase, is rolled out across VNSNY Home Care’s Manhattan region.
VNSNY Staff Help Beautify NYC Parks. On July 14th, in celebration of VNSNY’s 125th anniversary, some 80 VNSNY staff members honor Lillian Wald’s legacy by volunteering at one of five playgrounds across the city—planting flowers, weeding, and repainting playground fixtures.
The volunteering event was also featured on News 12 Bronx.
VNSNY Strategy Videos. Part One: Introduction to the Framework. As Marki and other senior leaders begin rolling out VNSNY’s strategic framework for the future, this three-minute video captures the key elements of the new strategy—including its focus on growth, quality and synergies.
August
Marki Flannery Named One of New York’s “Notable Women in Health Care.” Crain’s New York Business selects VNSNY President and CEO Marki Flannery for inclusion on its first-ever list of “Notable Women in Health Care” in the New York metropolitan area.
Ginny Field and Eloise Goldberg Announce Their September Retirement. Since arriving at VNSNY in 1979 and 1976 respectively, the remarkable careers of Ginny and Eloise have touched countless lives inside and outside the organization.
A New Look for Partners in Care. VNSNY unveils a new visual identity for Partners in Care that combines elements of its traditional logo with the enterprise-wide VNSNY “seal” logo.
Nassau NFP Graduation. Eighteen young, first-time mothers celebrate their graduation from VNSNY’s Nassau Nurse-Family Partnership program at a ceremony in Westbury, Long Island.
September
First Two Waves of 1250 Broadway Staffers Transition to 220 East 42nd Street Office. On September 14th and 28th, the first two phases of VNSNY’s move to 220 East 42nd Street are implemented as staff members transition to workspaces on floors 5, 6 and 7 of the new office. In October, the second and third wave, consisting of VNSNY CHOICE and Partners in Care staff, make the move.
Prestige and All Seasons Acquisition Finalized. Partners in Care, VNSNY’s licensed home care services agency (LHCSA), acquires the sister agencies Prestige and All Seasons—adding another 1,400 home health aides (most of whom speak either Mandarin or Cantonese) and their clients to Partners in Care.
CHOICE Gets SAGE Certification. With SAGE’s announcement that all of VNSNY CHOICE has earned Platinum designation, every part of VNSNY is now SAGE-credentialed at the Platinum level.
CHOICE Ad Campaign Kicks Off. The campaign, which includes print, subway and bus ads, spotlights CHOICE’s integrated Medicare-Medicaid Long Term Care Plans and its SelectHealth Special Needs Plan.
VNSNY Strategy Videos. Part Two: The Process.This four-minute video takes viewers inside VNSNY’s summertime strategy workshops, offering a look at how staff input is impacting the organization’s strategy.
VNSNY Honors Its Rehabilitation Therapists of the Year. Chosen to represent each of VNSNY Home Care’s seven regions in recognition of National Rehab Awareness Week, from September 16–22, these clinicians exemplify the outstanding work done by all of VNSNY’s physical, therapists and therapist assistants, day in and day out.
Fall Prevention in the Spotlight. For National Fall Prevention Week in late September, BronxNet TV features advice from Partners in Care physical therapy instructor Sonia Rapaport on how to help keep elderly loved ones safe in their homes.
October
Andria Castellanos joins VNSNY as EVP and Chief of Provider Services. Joining VNSNY after nearly three decades with New York–Presbyterian, Andria’s new role includes oversight of VNSNY Home Care and Hospice, Partners in Care, Community Mental Health Services, and VNSNY’s Population Health and Business Development groups.
VNSNY Holds Official 125th Anniversary Celebration. The October 25th breakfast event unfolds at 13 different sites across VNSNY’s service area at exactly the same time.
125th Anniversary Video Airs. This inspiring video, first shown during VNSNY’s enterprise-wide anniversary celebration, features historic video clips and heartfelt tributes from our own staff members.
Bronx Nurse-Family Partnership Honors Its 2018 Graduates at Two Ceremonies. 188 first-time mothers are recognized for completing the Bronx NFP program. The graduates have all partnered with their NFP nurses to support their family’s health and their own careers, starting in mid-pregnancy and continuing up to their child’s second birthday. A few weeks after the second ceremony, the Bronx NFP is featured on News 12 Bronx.
November
220 East 42nd Street Ribbon-Cutting. With the fourth and final phase of VNSNY’s move to 220 East 42nd Street completed, Marki Flannery joins with VNSNY Board Chair John Rafferty to officially cut the ribbon on VNSNY’s new Manhattan workspace!
ESPRIT Winners Are Honored. The excellence of VNSNY’s workforce is on full display at the 2018 ESPRIT Awards. The ceremony honoring this year’s 14 ESPRIT winners draws a full house of family, friends and co-workers to the New School’s University Center in Greenwich Village.
VNSNY Time Capsule: Signed, Sealed, Delivered. VNSNY’s 125th Anniversary Time Capsule is stored away in Columbia University’s VNSNY Archives, to be opened in 75 years, when VNSNY celebrates its bicentennial in 2093. Its contents include VNSNY anniversary banners signed by hundreds of staff members.
Annual Gala Raises Over $1.3 Million for VNSNY’s Safety-Net Programs. The event, held on November 8th in the recently renovated Ziegfeld Ballroom, raises a record-breaking $1,320,000 from the nearly 600 people in attendance, shattering the previous mark set four years ago.
Focus on VNSNY’s Business Staff. In recognition of mid-November’s National Business Staff Week, Frontline highlights four non-clinical staff members and how their jobs impact VNSNY’s patients and plan members.
December
VNSNY Strategy Videos. Part Three: Moving Forward. In this video, EVP and Chief Financial Officer Dan Savitt talks about how VNSNY’s strategic goals all feed into one essential objective: long-term financial sustainability for our organization.
VNSNY in the News. VNSNY experts and stories appeared in more than 100 print, TV, radio, and online outlets in 2018, including articles in the Long Island Herald, Crain’s Health Pulse, and Home Health Care News as well as positive TV coverage on BronxNet TV and News 12 Bronx.
2018 Employee Giving Program Exceeds Goal. Thanks to the generosity and commitment of VNSNY’s staff, the organization’s Strength from Within Employee Giving Campaign surpasses its 2018 goal, reaching $70,000 for the first time ever—and it’s not over yet!
Happy Holidays! From the Frontline team, a heartfelt thank you to everyone at VNSNY for your important contributions in what has been a memorable year!
