Meet the 2017 ESPRIT Winners
Lauren Dauro—Project Manager, VNSNY Hospice Special Projects
October 12, 2017–“My Customers Are My Colleagues” “Lauren performs her job responsibilities with assiduous attention to detail and deep commitment to the goals of hospice, while constantly maintaining her calm and focused center. She demonstrates the highest level of service delivery, evidenced in her professionalism and the respect that she gives to all of her colleagues. Lauren’s energy, intelligence, creativity and skills are what we need to keep the agency alive and growing.” When Lauren Dauro started with VNSNY Hospice and Palliative Care as a consultant, she’d been brought in to develop a system for billing and accounts payable. By the time that project was finished, she and her colleagues “had a lovely rapport,” so she joined the agency full time as a project manager. That feeling of connection is important to her, adds Lauren. “I came from a job previously where there was office politics and gossip,” she says. “What surprised
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Daniel Diaz—Substance Abuse Counselor, Community Mental Health Services
October 12, 2017–A Counselor Who Is “Like Family” “Danny exemplifies the meaning of initiative and teamwork on a daily basis. He brings more to the role than just his specialty—he has a genuine love for what he does. Danny has given his own clothing to clients who are without and is always willing to assist clients who are not on his caseload with the sole intention of helping to make their lives better in some way. He never hesitates to assist others with their work as well, which is what makes his performance that much more exceptional and that much more appreciated.” Like many VNSNY employees, Daniel Diaz, a substance abuse counselor with the Bronx Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program for the past five years, has a mission to serve the community. In Daniel’s case, however, he’s literally serving the community that raised him: he grew up in a housing project just
Constance “Connie” Evans— Public Health Nurse, CHHA Home Care Services
October 12, 2017–“A Love That Heals” “One word describes Connie, and that is ‘angel.’ I see her wings every day. Her patients adore her, and her work ethic is exemplary. She has so much love in her heart that it oozes out like a sweet smelling perfume. Connie feels that nursing is her life’s calling, and she treats it as a mission. Her vision for excellence is demonstrated in her commitment to her profession, her colleagues, and the agency.” For Connie Evans, serving as a public health nurse at VNSNY Home Care “isn’t a job…it’s my ministry.” And it’s a pulpit she’d had her eye on for a long time. “My mother was cared for by VNSNY, and had been extremely challenging as a patient,” she says. “But the nurses were so sweet and caring, she was butter in their hands. When Mom passed, they sent a card and gave us a
Sunitha Achamma Job—Physical Therapist, VNSNY Home Care
October 12, 2017–Making a Difference with “Hello” and a Smile “Sunitha exemplifies service on all levels. She is compassionate and kind, not only for her patients, but for her colleagues and managers as well. Teamwork epitomizes Sunitha’s character in every aspect of her work. She is innovative in her thinking, and holds herself to the utmost highest standards.” To say that Sunitha Achamma Job, a physical therapist, arrived at VNSNY in 2011 with a good deal of experience under her belt is an understatement. After earning a Master’s Degree in physical therapy in her native India, she went on to become the Chief of Physical Therapy at a stroke rehabilitation center in the southern Indian state of Kerala. What she missed, however, were the rewards of treating patients outside the hospital environment—something she readily finds in her work with VNSNY Home Care in Westchester County and the Bronx. “When an executive search
Russell Meyers—Telecom/Mobility Specialist, Information Technology
October 12, 2017–Making Sure Clinicians’ Tools and Technology Meets Their Needs “Often working under stressful conditions, Russell always manages to deliver critical services when needed and maintain a professional demeanor. With the new iPhone upgrade, he worked tirelessly, late into the night to make sure that everything was in place and ready for his customers.” “Russell holds himself to a high standard and holds himself accountable to others. He is a great colleague, and an example to all.” Russell Meyers came to VNSNY a decade ago, looking for something new. His previous career was with Paramount Pictures in film distribution, and when the company he worked for closed its New York office, he decided to do temporary work as he explored different interests. One assignment was with VNSNY’s IT department. Within a week after starting, he was offered a full-time position. “When I joined VNSNY, I was glad to be part of
Diandra Monk—Customer Service Representative, Customer Care Center
October 12, 2017–A Problem Solver, Teacher and Role Model “Diandra Monk shows dedication to her job. She has a great attitude and great spirit—very knowledgeable, kind, warm, friendly, patient, and helpful as well.” When any of Diandra Monk’s colleagues in VNSNY’s Customer Care Center (CCC) have a question or issue, Diandra is the person who makes sure they have the information they need. She also ensures that all patients that call the CCC are taken care of, taking on any escalation calls from the team that need immediate assistance, and making sure that the problem is solved. She is an experienced trainer of CCC personnel as well, teaching the processes involved in handling and documenting calls. “You need a high level of patience and understanding when dealing with calls pertaining to an individual’s health care,” notes one of Diandra’s co-workers. “Even though I consider myself a very patient and savvy person on
Stella Onuoha-Obilor— Manager of Quality Management, VNSNY CHOICE
October 12, 2017–“CHOICE is Not a Workplace—It’s a Home” “Stella is dedicated, and committed to her job, her staff, and to the success of all her team members. She is caring, gentle, flexible and respectful, and easily connects with others. Stella has a knowledge base that is ingrained, and integrated into her daily activities. She advocates for her staff when the need arises, and works with great passion to develop and implement performance improvement projects that are impactful on the members that we serve.” You can hear the feeling in Stella Onuoha-Obilor’s voice when she says, “I am proud to be an advocate of the slogan ‘Every patient, every member, every time.’ I will always go above and beyond for our members, because we are their best ‘CHOICE.’” As a manager of quality management for VNSNY CHOICE Health Plans, Stella collaborates with team members to establish goals for high-quality, cost-effective care-management services,
Gale Storm—Education Manager, Partners in Care Quality Assurance/Education
October 12, 2017–Seeking the Best for Her Trainees “Gale models excellence as a nurse, manager and instructor. She is never too busy to try to solve any challenges that come anyone’s’ way, whether it is a student, patient, HHA, or anyone on her staff in any location.” “Ms. Storm is an exceptional leader who goes above and beyond for her staff. She is a mother, aunty, and great sister-friend.” How does someone who studied veterinary medicine for seven years find herself as Education Manager of the Partners In Care training program? According to Gale Storm, her transition was sparked when teachers suggested that her considerable skills were better suited to people than animals—and she listened. As time went on, Gail progressed from home health aide to certified nursing assistant to working as a registered nurse in a hospital. One day, when helping a patient from a stretcher to the bed, she suffered
Jenelle Welch— Family Advocate, Community Mental Health Services
October 12, 2017–A Lighthouse to a Safe Harbor “Utilizing her own experience and challenges, Jenelle conveys empathy, support and guidance to the families she works with. She has often given an extra visit or phone call to ensure linkages are made or to assist caregivers in making difficult choices regarding services for their children, and has identified creative ways of reaching the children we work with through storytelling and arts and crafts. She has always been a team player as well, and has implemented staff-building activities to increase the cohesiveness of our team.” Jenelle Welch relies on a trio of skills for her job as a family advocate with VNSNY’s Brooklyn Child Mobile Crisis Team: her ability to get family members to open up, her knowledge of supportive city agencies, and her sense of humor. Once, when she found herself the only woman in an elevator full of men in a dangerous
Shannon Whittington—Interdisciplinary Care Team Manager, VNSNY Home Care; Director, Gender Reassignment Program
October 12, 2017–Supporting and Advocating for “A Great Team of Clinicians” “Shannon embraces every aspect of VNSNY’s Vision with complete devotion. She goes above and beyond to ensure every patient’s need is met, and also shows the utmost concern for her team, both individually and as a whole.” Shannon Whittington has been with VNSNY for 23 years, yet change has been a constant theme in her career. Before coming to VNSNY she worked at hospitals in Tennessee and Georgia, in cardiology and in transplants. After transitioning to VNSNY Home Care, she was a Coordinator of Care and a weekend Patient Services Manager, and currently serves as Interdisciplinary Care Team Manager for Team 7 in Manhattan. As a team manager, Shannon says, “I manage a great team of clinicians—I instruct, I inspire, I lead, I coach, and I correct. But what is most rewarding is supporting the clinicians and advocating for them.” Shannon