Connections April 2022

IT'S

hard to overstate the importance of making a good first impression, particularly in a professional setting. According to Forbes Magazine, it can take as little as seven seconds for someone to form a lasting

opinion of a business. We have to make those precious seconds count in order to convey respect, compassion and professionalism to our visitors.

Fortunately, Team Evergreen has a number of secret weapons who do just that. One is Joleen Rodriguez, administrative assistant for the Care Coordination department. Joleen is responsible for a variety of duties (scanning documents, ordering supplies, data input) that keep the busy Care Coordination department running smoothly. In addition, Joleen maintains the reception desk and is the face of Evergreen at the Mathews Building. Joleen is often our first impression.

People from all walks of life come through our doors every day and many of them are in crisis. Some are sick, scared or hungry. Some don't know where they will sleep that night. Joleen puts them at ease and helps them get started on the path toward care.

"I enjoy interacting with the patients," said Joleen. "I like to reassure them that they're safe, and allow them the space they need." While this is especially important when a patient is in crisis, Joleen helps all of our patients and visitors to the Mathews Building feel welcomed, respected and safe. "I love the community we serve!"

In addition to the satisfaction of helping our patients, Joleen is glad to be part of Team Evergreen. "I love the company's mission and objectives. I appreciate being able to work independently on diverse tasks. And, I enjoy the amount of time off offered!"

Joleen grew up on Buffalo's lower west side, attended Grover Cleveland High School and

I love the community we serve!

- Joleen Rodriguez

worked at Children's Legal Center for over nine years before coming to Evergreen. "Living in the area, I have always seen the sign on Elmwood Avenue or the Commons on Prospect Avenue. I knew what went on here, and that it was something I really wanted to be a part of.

I applied and, well, here I am!"

Outside of work, Joleen is a mom of two, a boy (21) and a girl (17).

She is married. "We have been together for over 24 years now," said Joleen. "I am very proud of that!" She also has an 8-month-old pit bull named Malachi. "He’s chocolate colored with green eyes and so handsome!"

UPDATE: just days before this issue of Connections was scheduled for release, we learned that Joleen has been promoted to lead patient service representative in the Primary and Specialty Care division! Though her duties may change, we know Joleen will bring the same "patients first" attitude to her new position that she brought to her old one. Congratulations and thank you, Joleen!

Congratulations Team Evergreen on being a finalist in the Buffalo Business First Best Places to Work for 2022! Thank you to everyone that took the time to take this survey and provide valuable feedback on the company’s culture. We will find out how we ranked among the other top places to work in the next few weeks. Keep an eye out for additional communications!

The Center for Supportive Services "Smile Squad" was started last year by Maria LoTempio and Brittany Hesson to help boost staff morale and inclusion within the Center. Smile Squad member Michael Blasdell said, "it's a way to show appreciation to those who put themselves second and patients first. Sometimes in the line of work that we do, we forget about ourselves."

Michael adds that the Squad can help "recharge that Evergreen spirit" by bringing joy, appreciation and, of course, SMILES to fellow Center staff members.

"It's a reminder of how amazing they are, and a way to thank them for their service to our community."

Shown here: the Smile Squad organized a day to wear green in honor of National Social Work Awareness Month in March.

Thank You Tiffany Valentin and Marcia Derby for the photos!

>>

Note: this is a story about how a seemingly small detail like a

So, naturally, I skipped it and filled in the rest of the form. But I

question on an intake form can have an enormous impact. It's

came back to it and I sat there in this waiting room. Through the

also about how compassion and caring can change a life in

windows I could see it was cloudy, but then the sun came out

an instant. This originally appeared in the Winter 2022 issue of

and I was staring at this question for what seemed like an hour.

EverGrowing, a publication of Evergreen Health Foundation.

I was suddenly aware that I knew what box I needed to check,

I

let’s put it that way. It just came kind of screaming out of me. remember the day was April 11th and I was 50 years old.

There are a few moments in your life that are pivotal. You

I had pretty much bottomed out psychologically and

know when it’s happening. It’s as if I choose this door, things

emotionally. I found myself in need of some emergency

are going to go one way. I knew it was one of those moments

care. I had never been to Evergreen before but I knew

and I knew what I had to do. I knew it in a way that I really had

basically what they did. I was also interested in being anonymous.

never allowed myself to acknowledge. I watched my hand put

I was with another doctor at the time and this wasn’t something I

the check mark in this box and I numbly took the form back and

wanted to bring to them.

handed it to the receptionist. A few minutes later they called

I knew I needed some care and I’ll leave it at that. I called

me back to the exam room. About a minute and a half into it,

Evergreen and, of course, the operator answered and was very

there’s this little knock on the door. It’s Helene and she steps

sweet and very professional. I basically sketched out why I

in. Helene is like a bird. She’s petite and gentle. She’s got eyes

was calling and he said, “Let me connect you to a nurse.” This

that are full of love and compassion. I noticed she’s got this

surprised me. On the other end came a lovely voice of a nurse

clipboard in her hand. She pulled up a chair right in front of me,

who still works at Evergreen, Helene Cacciato. She said, “We

almost knees to knees. She looks at me, smiles and in a gentle

definitely want you to come in. How soon can you be here?” And

voice says, “I noticed on the intake form you put down that you

I said, “Well, I can be there within an hour.” She said, “We’ll be

are transgender.” Now, mind you I have bottomed out and I said

ready for you.”

something intelligent, like “Uh…” Then she said, I remember it like

When I got there, they called me in, took a little background

it was yesterday and it always makes me cry, “We can help you.”

information and asked me to take a seat in the waiting room

That’s how I encountered Evergreen. That day I left having

and fill out an intake form. I had my little pen, clipboard and the

received the care that I needed. But more importantly, I left

intake form. I started off on the intake form, name and address.

with a call back and with a referral to talk to one of the care

Then I got to gender and I was confronted with something that I

coordinators. That’s where my transition began, that day at

had never seen before. And the choices on the intake form were

Evergreen, in that room with Helene.

male, female and transgender.

I had never really been confronted with this quite in that way. I was struck by it and I knew I was struck by it deeply.

A

Amanda Pollard is a professor of Sociology, a patient of Evergreen Health, a donor to the Evergreen Health Foundation and has recently been appointed to the Evergreen Health Foundation Board.

If you have any questions about COVID-19, please send an email to COVID19questions@evergreenhs.org.

Mark your calendar! The submission

For questions about Evergreen’s COVID-19 vaccination program, you can email COVID19vaccinequestions @evergreenhs.org. Or, visit ADP or evergreenhs.org for more information.

deadline for the May 2022 issue of Connections is Friday, April 15.

Be sure to get your content in before the deadline to guarantee placement.

Kids, pets, vacations, recipes -we want to share it all with Team Evergreen! Email EvergreenConnections via Outlook.

Evergreen staff are being recognized for their achievements. In addition to Ray's placing on Business First's Power 250 list, employee experience coordinator Jocelyn Leising is a Buffalo Business First 30 Under 30 honoree for 2022, and director of population health Christine Kemp is a finalist for the Buffalo Niagara Partnership's 2022 ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award. Congratulations, Jocelyn and Christine!

Publisher/Layout John Carocci

Copy Editor Marketing Team

Contributors Jocelyn Leising Nina Smith Kimberly Clarke Marcia Derby Tiffany Valentin

Last month, our "New Faces" feature got Brandy

Connections is the monthly newsletter

Heath's job title wrong. She's the new administrative

for employees and board members of

quality manager at Community Access Services.

Pride Center of Western New York and

Welcome, Brandy, and we're sorry for the mistake.

submit photos, comments or a "hello"

Evergreen Health and its affilliates, the Community Access Services. You can via Outlook at Evergreen Connections.

Abigail Borrelli...........................................April 1 Yhandisha Lobley-Thrist.........................April 2 Chelsea Coyne..........................................April 2 Rosemary Roche......................................April 3 Gideon Belin..............................................April 5 Dale Kingston............................................April 7 Dawn Peach..............................................April 7 Laurie Matson...........................................April 7 John Gusky...............................................April 8 Gabriella Jaramillo...................................April 8 Angela Tona..............................................April 9 Julie Rapp..................................................April 9 Brianna Kirk...............................................April 9 Kelly Craig..................................................April 11 Jessica Glaser..........................................April 12 Joanyeliz Santiago...................................April 12 Chelest Ponzo...........................................April 12 Nicole Dommer........................................April 13 Renee Hartson..........................................April 13 Matthew Iwanski-Jackson.....................April 15 Amanda Dietz...........................................April 16 Michael Key...............................................April 17 John Argo..................................................April 17 Maria LoTempio........................................April 17 Kelly Peak..................................................April 18 Kristen Bechdel........................................April 19 Luis Maisonet...........................................April 21 Andi Ace.....................................................April 21 Kimberly Harding.....................................April 23 Brandee Martin.........................................April 23 Jeante Fitzsimmons................................April 24 Marielena Camacho................................April 25 Elijah Jimerson.........................................April 25 Danielle LaMoy.........................................April 29 Khristopher Decker..................................April 29 Jamie Keuck.............................................April 29 Carinne Medley.........................................April 29 David Pena.................................................April 30

Antoinette Hernandez............................ 26 Years Jacquelyn Dixon...................................... 10 Years Katherine Kawa....................................... 9 Years Michael Lee.............................................. 9 Years Julie Falk................................................... 8 Years Kimberly Brown....................................... 8 Years Ian Schunk................................................ 8 Years Michael Blasdell...................................... 6 Years Charles Hunt............................................ 6 Years Carinne Medley........................................ 5 Years Gaia Oliver................................................ 4 Years Gideon Belin............................................. 4 Years Stefanie Warnick..................................... 4 Years

MANAGER'S TRAINING PROGRAM The following managers completed the Manager’s Training Program: •

Tracy Eichelberger

•

Laurie Matson

•

Tara Monaco

Managers - don’t forget to check out the Manager’s Corner of Blink for program materials and other useful job aids!

Wilson Wilson.......................................... 3 Years Kristine Spada......................................... 3 Years Alexandrian Aiello................................... 3 Years Thomas Foels.......................................... 3 Years Dabrielle Wright....................................... 3 Years Kaitlynn Cruz............................................ 2 Years Rosanne Depczynski.............................. 1 Years Emily McGorry......................................... 1 Years

Key Bank Center was decked out in rainbow colors for 2022's Pride Night as the Buffalo Sabres took on - and defeated - the Vegas Golden Knights. The Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus sang the national anthems, and a special Pride video was shown during intermission. In addition, proceeds from the 50/50 raffle were donated to the Pride Center. Thank you, Buffalo Sabres! Photos: top left and top center courtesy of the Buffalo Sabres. Top right courtesy of Kelly Craig.

Lunch + Learn is a monthly event hosted by Evergreen Health Foundation to introduce donors to staff and the services offered at Evergreen. Last month, James Thompson visited to speak about the programs available to patients at THRIVE Wellness.