VNSNY in 2019 — The Year in Review!
It’s been an amazing year at VNSNY, filled with many important accomplishments! Here are some highlights of the past 12 months—plus article links for those who want to take a deeper dive into the year that was!
JANUARY
Marki Flannery is named one of NYS’s 50 most influential people in health care. Marki’s presence on City & State’s first-ever list of New York State’s 50 most influential people in health care outside of government reflects VNSNY’s strong reputation as a leading New York State healthcare provider and payer.
CHOICE Health Plans sets new-enrollment record. In what will be a big year for CHOICE, CHOICE MLTC enrolls 1,139 new members for the months of December and January and CHOICE Total gains 530 new members in that same period—setting new-enrollment records for both plans.
Gender affirmation post-op home care initiative becomes stand-alone program. VNSNY’s Gender Affirmation Program provides specialized home nursing and other support services to patients following gender affirmation surgery. Under director Shannon Whittington, the program has begun training scores of additional nurses, therapists and social workers to meet the growing demand for post-gender affirmation surgery home care.
VNSNY Hospice gets NIJH accreditation. This official accreditation from the National Institute of Jewish Hospice (NIJH) includes access to specialized training for VNSNY Hospice staff in Jewish religious and cultural traditions around end-of-life care.
FEBRUARY
CHOICE Total tops NYS quality rankings. CHOICE Total, VNSNY CHOICE’s Medicaid Advantage Plus (MAP) plan, receives a Tier 3 quality rating from New York State for 2018, best of any MAP or Medicaid managed long-term care (MLTC) plan in the state. In addition, CHOICE’s MLTC plan achieves a solid Tier 1 rating. Both plans qualify for financial incentives from the state based on their performance.
VNSNY Hospice nurse Diane Blair featured in TODAY Show documentary. The inspiring video profile, filmed for the show’s online “Walk in My Shoes” series, follows Diane over the course of several days as she calls on patients across her home borough of Staten Island.
MARCH
Happy Social Work Month! In honor of National Social Work Month and the 335-plus social workers at VNSNY who serve thousands of patients and members each day, Frontline asked 15 social workers from across the organization to talk about the vital work they do.
NYS Department of Health gives CHOICE Health Plans top Stars ratings. VNSNY CHOICE Medicaid Advantage Plus (MAP) receives five out of five stars in the 2018 quality ratings from New York State’s Department of Health (DOH), and CHOICE FIDA Complete gets four out of five stars—the best scores in the state for their respective categories—while CHOICE MLTC also receives an outstanding four out of five stars.
VNSNY rolls out sepsis awareness training. As part of an agency-wide initiative, VNSNY rolls out training for clinicians and home health aides that will equip them to routinely screen patients for signs of sepsis.
APRIL
Over 5,300 ICS MLTC members transition to CHOICE MLTC. On April 1st, the CHOICE Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) health plan gained 5,359 new enrollees from Independence Care System (ICS), as ICS exited the managed long-term care insurance market and the majority of its former MLTC members shifted over to CHOICE MLTC.
VNSNY launches 10,000 Conversations initiative. The goal of the project, which emerged from VNSNY’s ACE Leadership program, is for every VNSNY employee to have at least two networking conversations with a colleague in another department by the end of the year.
Honoring VNSNY’s volunteers. In recognition of National Volunteer Week, Frontline profiles five dedicated volunteers who are serving VNSNY’s mission and making a difference in our patients’ and members’ lives.
Research Center’s Penny Feldman and HHA Geraldine Singleton receive HCA awards. Penny Feldman, director emerita of VNSNY’s Center for Home Care Policy & Research, is selected to receive the Home Care Association (HCA) of New York State’s highest honor—the Ruth F. Wilson Award, given to an individual who has dramatically impacted the field of home care. In addition, Geraldine Singleton, Partners in Care’s second-longest-serving home health aide, is honored with the HCA’s Caring Award for a career that exemplifies empathetic home care.
Three VNSNY nurses presented with UFT Awards. On April 30th, the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) honored VNSNY nurses Nicola Toney, Shawne Browne-Delaney and Ruth Caballero for their contributions to the nursing profession and to the union’s Federation of Nurses chapter, which represents VNSNY’s RNs and LPNs.
MAY
Frontline salutes National Nurses Week! For National Nurses Week in early May, seven nurses working in different parts of VNSNY spoke to Frontline about the challenges and rewards of their job.
VNSNY launches new care management organization. Following approval from DOH, VNSNY’s care management organization officially launches on May 6th. The new business unit (soon to be named Care 360°Solutions—see November, below) will work with insurers and other partners to provide their high-risk members and patients with enhanced care management services in a home-based setting.
VNSNY’s Advanced Illness Management program earns CMS accolades. When April Feld, Director of Population Health Management at VNSNY, made a presentation on VNSNY’s Advanced Illness Management (AIM) program at the Home Care Association of New York State’s annual conference in early May, she wasn’t expecting the VNSNY Population Health team to receive an award from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Yet that’s exactly what happened! Dennis Wagner, head of CMS’s Quality Improvement and Innovation Group, gave VNSNY’s Population Health a CMS Quality Improvement and Innovation Group Challenge Coin.
VNSNY resumes outdoor advertising. As May gets underway, VNSNY rolls out its “48,000 Lives” outdoor advertising campaign. The city-wide campaign includes ads posted on the sides of 200 buses throughout New York’s five boroughs and on 100 digital LINK wi-fi and information boards in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens.
Staff members turn out for AIDS Walk New York. On a lovely Sunday morning in mid-May, VNSNY’s CHOICE SelectHealth team joined thousands of other AIDS Walk participants in Central Park, raising over $4,000 to support local AIDS service organizations.
Fore! VNSNY Golf Outing raises record amount for Hospice Veterans Program. On May 20th, the VNSNY 2019 Golf Classic raised nearly $285,000 from event participants. The record-breaking amount will go to support VNSNY Hospice and Palliative Care’s specialized services for U.S. military veterans.
JUNE
VNSNY Provider Services earns stand-out review in CHAP reaccreditation visit. The triannual review by the accrediting organization Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP) took place in early June. “VNSNY Home Care and Partners in Care received only a few required actions for minor issues, while VNSNY Hospice had no required actions at all,” reported Andria Castellanos, EVP and Chief of Provider Services. “The surveyors also expressed their strong admiration for our quality of care, and provided us with very positive feedback from the clients they visited.”
Winners of the Liota and Marren Awards are announced. This year’s Liota Award to Promote Cultural Diversity in Nursing Leadership went to Margarita Luna, while Dawning Greenstreet received the Marren Leadership Award to Promote Evidence-Based Practice & Quality Improvement.
One of the best places to work! Forbes names VNSNY as one of 146 best places to work in New York State, VNSNY joins global corporations like Google, Apple and PepsiCo, as well as more local names like NYU, the New York Times and the New York City Police and Fire Departments.
VNSNY Home Care patient is the oldest living American. Officially recognized as America’s oldest person at 113 years of age, Alelia Murphy is under the watchful care of VNSNY Home Care’s Manhattan Branch 6. In In 2018, VNSNY provided services to more than 845 New Yorkers aged 100 years or more.
There’s no place like home. On Sunday, June 30th, over 250 VNSNY staff members were among the 150,000 enthusiastic participants in the largest NYC Pride March ever. VNSNY’s group included a float that celebrated the theme “There’s No Place Like Home.” To mark the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, VNSNY’s CEO Marki Flannery also penned this moving essay.
JULY
“What does Independence Day mean to you?” To mark the 4th of July, Frontline produced this video in which VNSNY staffers explain what the holiday means to them.
Together, we’ve got this! July 8th was the official Launch Day for VNSNY Home Care’s WIGs (Wildly Important Goals) initiative, which aims to improve key metrics in the home care referral and documentation process.
$2.2 Million grant helps Partners in Care HHAs monitor clients’ health. Announced in the spring, this New York State grant officially began in July. The funding will support the rollout of new technologies for Partners in Care home health aides and nurses, including a smartphone app that HHAs can use to send updates on their clients’ health status.
CMHS opens new Harlem office. On July 9th, Community Mental Health Services (CMHS) celebrated the opening of its new office at 286 Lenox Avenue in Upper Manhattan.
VNSNY Research Center study shows home nursing helps reduce sepsis-related readmissions. The study, published in the journal Medical Care, found sepsis survivors who received a first nursing visit within two days of hospital discharge plus at least one additional home visit in their first post-hospital week, and who also saw a doctor that first week, had a significantly reduced 30-day readmission risk.
Happy graduation! On July 25, VSNSY’s Nassau Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) held its fourth annual graduation ceremony, honoring 9 first-time mothers for completing the NFP program.
Drew Schiff is new VNSNY Board Chair. In late July, the post of VNSNY Board Chair officially passed from John Rafferty to Andrew Schiff, MD. “Drew,” as he’s known to friends and colleagues, is a longtime VNSNY Board Member and the great-great-grandson of Jacob Schiff, a close friend and the main early benefactor of VNSNY’s founder, Lillian Wald.
AUGUST
Marki Flannery and Andria Castellanos make the “Notable Women in Health Care” in New York list. This is the second year Crain’s has published its exclusive listing of the most influential women in New York’s healthcare industry, and the first time that VNSNY has been honored with two selections, following Marki’s appearance on last year’s inaugural list.
Brooklyn Blitz. On August 19th, VNSNY CHOICE rolled out the Brooklyn Blitz—a multifaceted marketing campaign designed to create local buzz around the CHOICE SelectHealth Medicaid special needs plan.
SEPTEMBER
Rehab Awareness Week, Therapist of the Year Awards. In honor of National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, Frontline asked six VNSNY rehabilitation therapists about their work. The week culminated in the announcement of our 2019 VNSNY Rehab Therapist of the Year winners.
Henry Street Block Party. On September 15th, VNSNY and the Henry Street Settlement co-hosted their second annual Community Day Block Party. Nearly 100 VNSNY staff members joined local residents to enjoy free food, games and music from a DJ in the neighborhood where Lillian Wald founded VNSNY 126 years ago.
Marki Flannery appears on CEO Unplugged. As the featured guest on the iHeart Radio program, Marki shared her thoughts on her own career, VNSNY’s mission, and the dedication of our workforce.
VNSNY CHOICE MLTC continues strong growth. The CHOICE Medicaid managed care plan announced that it enrolled 700 new members for the month of September. The plan also averaged nearly 550 new members per month from May through August.
OCTOBER
Pulse Survey gets best-ever response. 64% of employees respond to the Fall 2019 VNSNY Employee Engagement Pulse Survey—the highest participation rate to date.
VNSNY celebrates Business Staff Week! For this year’s recognition, Frontline asked our business staff to share the different ways their work supports VNSNY’s mission.
Hospitality training begins. The workshops, which all staff will be taking, focus on the people-centered and communication skills vital for success in work and life.
SelectHealth expansion approved. New York State’s Department of Health greenlights the expansion of the CHOICE SelectHealth Medicaid HIV special needs plan (SNP) into Nassau and Westchester Counties. This is the first time an HIV SNP will be offered outside of New York City’s five boroughs.
Chinatown Community Center marks 20th anniversary. On October 17th, more than 400 guests gathered at the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our Chinatown Community Center. The event highlighted VNSNY’s longstanding commitment to New York City’s Chinese American community.
Workday rolls out. On October 31st, VNSNY’s new Workday human resources, finance, and payroll system became available to staff. The platform’s advantages include fast, one-stop shopping for employees’ HR, Finance and Planning needs.
VNSNY dresses up for Halloween! In case you missed your co-workers’ amazing costumes, Frontline’s fabulous Halloween slide show captured them all!
NOVEMBER
2019 ESPRIT Winners are honored. This year’s ten ESPRIT Award winners were recognized at a special awards ceremony on November 19th.
Bronx NFP graduates nearly 200 moms. VNSNY’s Bronx Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) held two ceremonies, on October 3rd and November 7th, to celebrate the graduation of 195 young, first-time mothers from its program.
VNSNY Hospice is America’s 7th-largest hospice program. VNSNY Hospice moves up from the number eight slot to become the 7th-largest hospice program in the U.S., according to Medicare data.
VNSNY marches in Veterans Day parade and hosts breakfast for veterans on staff. Led by Joe Vitti,supervisor of the VNSNY Hospice Veterans Program, VNSNY was an official participant in New York City’s Veterans Day Parade for the first time ever. The following day, VNSNY honored the military veterans on its own workforce with a breakfast at its East 70th Street headquarters.
VNSNY Gala fundraiser sets fund-raising record! VNSNY’s annual Gala fundraiser, held on November 14th at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, brought in $1.6 million in pledged donations—a record for the event! All proceeds go to support VNSNY’s charitable care and community benefit programs.
VNSNY’s CMO gets a new name—VNSNY Care360° Solutions. The VNSNY Care 360° Solutions business unit, which is already serving over 450 CHOICE members, also signed its first external contract to manage the care of 1,500 Healthfirst members over the next year.
“What’s on your Thanksgiving table?” In a special Thanksgiving video, staff members share their favorite Thanksgiving dishes, and more!
DECEMBER
VNSNY Research Center publishes blood pressure reduction study. The study, published in the American Journal of Hypertension, found that standard home health care reduced systolic blood pressure by about 10 points in black and Hispanic patients who had recently suffered a stroke.
Strength from Within – $91,734 and counting! Coming into its final weeks, VNSNY’s Strength from Within Employee Giving Campaign has raised a record amount from VNSNY employees. Thank you to all who have given so far—your donation will help our most vulnerable patients!
VNSNY Care360° Solutions Website Goes Live! Our new care management business unit now has its own dedicated website. Check it out!
Over 100 “VNSNY in the News” stories! VNSNY experts and stories appeared in more than 100 print, TV, radio, and online outlets in 2019, including articles in the Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, the New York Post, Science Daily, Crain’s Health Pulse and Home Health Care News, as well as positive coverage on numerous national websites and local TV stations.
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!
