MVHS Names Nurse Manager of Orthopedic Unit
(Utica, NY – March 2015) Karen Coyle, RN, BSN has been named nurse manager of 2E (Orthopedics) at St. Elizabeth Medical Center (SEMC), in addition to the Neuro/Pediatrics Unit, of which she has been nurse manager since 2012. In this position, Coyle maintains nursing operations to include both clinical and administrative responsibilities for the Neuro/Pediatrics Unit and 2E.
Coyle has been an employee at SEMC since 2005, serving as a staff RN, clinical educator and nurse manager. She earned her RN from St. Elizabeth College of Nursing in Utica, New York and was named valedictorian of her graduating class. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Utica College in Utica, New York.
VNA Homecare Honors Employee Service at Recognition Dinner
(Syracuse, NY – March 2015) VNA Homecare, a local leader in home health care services, honored employees with five or more years of service at their inaugural Employee Recognition and Holiday Celebration at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel on Jan. 16.
Lapel pins were awarded to employees in recognition of their years of service. Pins were awarded for service in five year increments. Employees recognized for five or more years of service were as follows:
Five Years
Carolyn Adams, Home Health Aide; Linda Adams, Home Health Aide; Brenda Allen, Home Health Aide; Christa Baumes, Clinical House Supervisor; Gail Beauregard, Scheduling Coordinator; Pamela Butler, Home Health Aide; Jean Campbell, Home Health Aide; Deborah Chesbro, Home Health Aide; Dianne Cramer, Technician; Sandra Davis, Home Health Aide; Jessica Eastman, Insurance Verification/Authorization Coordinator; Denise Egan, Quality Assurance Nurse; Debra Harper, Registered Nurse; Janet Hawn, Home Health Aide; Correne Hungerford, Home Health Aide; Lynn Millson, Licensed Practical Nurse; Timothy Oles, Physical Therapist; Peggy Porter, Home Health Aide; Linda Janice Rohadfox, Home Health Aide; Rebecca Snell, Home Health Aide; Anna Szpiczka-Basarab, Home Health Aide; Mary Jane Turner, Administrative Support; Hilary Usiatynski, Speech Language Pathologist; and Sonia Watson, Home Health Aide.
Ten Years
Deborah Adams, Registered Dietitian; Belinda Albino, Case Manager; Shemika Bennett, Home Health Aide; Patsy Crain, Home Health Aide; Nellie Doyle, Home Health Aide; Mimi Duerr, Patient Care Coordinator; Victoria Earnshaw, Home Health Aide; Paula Fulco, Home Health Aide; Patricia Jackson, Case Manager; Chivon Jackson, Home Health Aide; Dea Kuiper-Carleton, Case Manager; Janet Marie Baum, Licensed Practical Nurse & Home Health Aide; Dorothy McCue, Home Health Aide; Donald Nelson, Home Health Aide; Shari Schwartz, Enrollment Registered Nurse; Amy Theel, Scheduling Team Leader; and Naffie Tunis, Home Health Aide.
Fifteen Years
Vilma Benjamin, Home Health Aide; Gail Carmichel, Vice President of Patient Services; Jack Fasulo, Operations Coordinator; and Deborah Higgins, Clinical Manager.
Twenty Years
Timothy Carroll, Chief Information Officer; Clara Kingsley, Home Health Aide; Elizabeth Lord, Payroll Manager; Patricia Miller, Home Health Aide; Lori Somers, Home Health Aide; and Rebecca Vanduluitgaarden, Physical Therapist.
Twenty-five Years
William O’Hern, Care Manager and Margaret Nye, Case Manager.
Thirty Years
Vinnie Burch, Home Health Aide; Mary Hussain, Clinical Nurse Specialist; Louise Scott, Home Health Aide; and Joann Voorhest, Home Care Coordinator.
“We are grateful for the professionalism, experience and special talent that each and every one of these employees brings to VNA Homecare,” said M. Kate Rolf, president and chief executive officer. “They are a continuing source of confidence and pride, and they are an essential element of our continuing success.”
VNA Homecare Presents Employee Recognition Awards
(Syracuse, NY – March 2015) VNA Homecare’s inaugural Employee Recognition and Holiday Celebration was a huge success, with more than 260 employees, family members and community leaders in attendance.
Held at the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel on Friday, Jan. 16, the event included a cocktail hour, formal dinner, dancing and gift basket raffles. The highlight of the evening, however, were the employee recognition awards presented to employees who have made significant contributions to VNA Homecare throughout the course of the year.
The 2014 honorees were:
Mental Health Aide Specialist of the Year
Rosemarie Dristle, Home Health Aide
Dristle has a remarkable work ethic and has shown tremendous dedication and reliability. She goes above and beyond to provide consistent, compassionate care and handles even the most challenging situations with patience and professionalism. She has worked for Home Aides of Central New York, a division of VNA Homecare, for six years.
Hospice Aide Specialist of the Year
The Late Teesha Hills, Home Health Aide
Hills, who passed away in October, 2014, was a caring and kindhearted individual who was passionate about providing comforting care to her clients so they could be at peace when they reached the end of their journey. No matter what was going on in her life, she always managed to see the bright side of any situation. She worked for Home Aides of Central New York, a division of VNA Homecare, for 11 years.
Alzheimer’s/Dementia Aide of the Year
Deborah Chesbro, Home Health Aide
As one of the Alzheimer’s Association, CNY Chapter’s preferred providers, Chesbro is regularly assigned to work at the Kirkpatrick Day Program, where her supervisors, coworkers and clients can’t say enough about her infectious personality and hard work. In addition to her incredible patience, Chesbro also maintains a kind, sweet demeanor. She has worked for Home Aides of Central New York, a division of VNA Homecare, for five years
Aide of the Year
Patsy Crain, Home Health Aide
Crain has worked for Home Aides of Central New York, a division of VNA Homecare, for nine years, and has spent more than 28,000 hours caring for her patients. She was named the 2014 Aide of the Year in recognition of her exemplary work ethic, compassionate nature and overall dedication to her patients and the system.
Outstanding Customer Service
Randi Klossner, Scheduling Team Leader
Klossner maintains excellent relations with all individuals who interact within the organizational environment. She has a charismatic personality that compliments her exemplary work ethic and holds outstanding knowledge in her position. She has worked for VNA Homecare for four years.
Craig Stevens, Driver
In his short time with the organization, Stevens has proven to be a reliable and hardworking employee. He steps up to plate and willingly volunteers when no one else is available for the job. Stevens is truly dedicated to providing excellent customer service and treats everyone with respect and kindness. He has worked for VNA Homecare Options, LLC, a division of VNA Homecare, for seven months.
Office Employee of the Year
Sead Hozdic, Systems Technician
Hozdic exemplifies the “can do” attitude. He remains calm, cool and collected, no matter how stressful the situation may be, and he willingly takes on any task or responsibility sent his way. Hozdic is committed to continual learning and strives to meet the changing requirements of his position. He has worked for VNA Homecare for three years.
Rookie of the Year
Ken Stack, PT, MS, MSF, CSCS, Physical Therapist
Stack joined VNA Homecare just three short months ago and is already well on his way to setting a reputation of compassion, dedication and eagerness to serve his patients. He has demonstrated the initiative, creativity and ability to make a significant contribution to the system in a short time, and his future contributions are sure to be promising.
Nurse of the Year
Michele Hettler, RN, BSN, Case Manager
Hettler is a dedicated and talented nurse who has worked in home health care for almost 23 years. In her 11 years with VNA Homecare, she has always gone above and beyond, demonstrating care innovation, transformation and collaboration that support an exceptional patient experience. Hettler is a strong advocate for her patients, and it’s clear that she is truly passionate about the work she does.
Clinician of the Year
Patrick Remenicky, PT, CWS, Certified Wound Specialist
Remenicky is constantly working to build positive relationships with his patients, their families, and all of his co-workers. He delivers excellent customer service and is always willing to adjust his workload in order to better meet agency and patient needs. He has worked for the Visiting Nurse of Association of Central New York, a division of VNA Homecare, for 12 years.
Awards were also presented to employees who have achieved employment milestones with the system (e.g., 5, 10, 15 or 20 years of service).
“I extend my sincere gratitude to these outstanding employees for their service, dedication and commitment to VNA Homecare,” said Kate Rolf, president and chief executive officer. “Through their hard work and years of dedicated service, our system continues to grow and provide our patients with the highest quality care. I am honored to recognize each and every one of them for their excellence and exceptional performance.”
MVHS Names Quality Professionals
(Utica, NY – March 2015) Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) has made the following staff announcements:
Marianne Baker, MS, RN, CCM, CPHQ – Director of Quality Management and Regulatory Affairs (MVHS)
Marianne Baker, MS, RN, CCM, CPHQ has been named director of Quality Management and Regulatory Affairs for MVHS. In this position, Marianne is responsible for overseeing the Quality Management department, meeting regulatory requirements and coordinating the efforts of identified committees, departments, and clinical service teams in providing feedback and input into responses to the Department of Health, DNV Healthcare and other accrediting bodies. She also functions as the NYSDOH liaison and Liventa/IPRO liaison.
Prior to this position, Baker was director of Regulatory Affairs for MVHS. She has more than thirty years of healthcare experience beginning as a critical care nurse at Faxton Hospital. She is also a certified emergency medical technician (EMT). Baker received her Master of Science in Health Services Administration and Bachelor of Professional Studies in Human Services from SUNYIT, Utica, New York, and her Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree from Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, New York.
Jennifer Pekola, BS, RN – Lead Quality Professional (FSLH)
Jennifer Pekola, BS, RN has been named lead quality professional for Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH). In this position, Pekola is responsible for the day-to-day activities of the quality professionals, including the daily operation of the department, assigning investigations, case review and ensuring follow up to issues as they arise.
Pekola has been an employee of FSLH for nine years as a staff RN, relief charge nurse, assistant nurse manager, quality professional and coordinator of the bariatric surgery program.
Pekola earned her RN from Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, New York, her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Keuka College in Keuka Park, New York, and her Bachelor of Science in Cytotechnology from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. She is a certified bariatric nurse and a member of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the Central New York Organization of Nurse Executives.
Michelle Selden, BPS, CPHQ, RHIA – Director of Clinical Data Management
Michelle Selden, BPS, CPHQ, RHIA has been named director of Clinical Data Management for MVHS. In this position, she is responsible for overseeing the Midas+ data management system, clinical quality data reports, board report cards and data abstraction for the entire health system. The clinical analysts and clinical data abstractors report to her.
Selden has worked in healthcare for St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Faxton Hospital and FSLHfor 26 years in various roles, most recently as manager of Clinical Data Management for FSLH.
Selden holds a Bachelor of Science in Medical Records Management from SUNYIT Utica-Rome in Utica, New York, and has been a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality since 1999.