TO
help meet the medical needs of the Southern
Jamestown area face when it comes to accessing STI health
Tier, Evergreen recently opened a new location
services? Number one, it’s a smaller area, so people are afraid
for HIV and Hepatitis C care, STI testing and PrEP services
of other people finding out or people seeing them walk through
at 320 Prather Avenue in Jamestown. In our inaugural
that particular door, into that particular office. It’s to the point
installment of the employee spotlight series we’re calling Team
that the stigma can prevent people from seeking the help that
Evergreen, we talked to Shirley Swenson, a Nurse Practitioner
could change and prolong their lives. We’ve had people walk in
at the new Jamestown location, about what makes the Southern
the door finally out of sheer desperation, and we’re able to give
Tier facility so special and how her background in music
them medications and turn everything around. Within a few
contributes to the care and compassion she brings to her work.
months, they feel like their life has been given back to them. v
v Team Evergreen: the new Jamestown location is a very
How do you combat those challenges? We go to great lengths to
exciting development for us! Can you tell us a little bit about
accommodate patients’ feelings and help diminish the stigma.
the services there? Shirley: Sure! In Jamestown, we specialize
For example, we honor patients’ requests to see them at the end
in treating HIV and Hepatitis C and HIV prevention, which
of the day. Some patients will call from the car, and we will let
means if somebody is in a relationship where one individual
them know if the waiting room is clear before they come in,
has HIV and the other one doesn’t, the one who doesn’t
or we will let them in through the back door. And if they are
can take a pill called PrEP every day to prevent them from
diagnosed with a chronic illness, we try to help them realize
acquiring it. Or, say an individual has an increased risk of
they are the same person they were before, and that with proper
acquiring HIV. If they're on this medication, it will protect
medical attention, an illness like HIV can be even easier to treat
them. So, we can have a patient walk through the door who is
than diabetes. We will also speak to family members, if patients
here for HIV treatment or somebody who’s here for Hepatitis
want, to clear up common misconceptions. v What most
C treatment, or it could be someone who was out over the
excites you about going to work every day? The fact that we're
weekend and needs to be tested. They can all be seen without
on the cutting edge of care. Having lived through the 1980s and
judgement and have their concerns addressed. There’s no place
‘90s, I saw friends acquire AIDS and, within a few short years,
else like that in this area. v What challenges do people in the
they were gone. There was no hope then. Now, patients can take
medication daily to suppress it and live healthy lives, and on
bread and apple pies; Swedes love their sweets. And in what
the horizon is an injection that can be given once a month or
seems practically like another life, I was a music major, so I love
once every six months, and it will do the same thing. And then
to sing. I sing in our church choir. My husband and I also spend
hopefully, there will even be a cure. But really, the treatments
time on Lake Erie. I like to watch the sun set, see the different
we have available to us now are almost as good as cures. The life
cloud formations. That’s my chillout place. v A singer, baker
expectancy of someone with HIV who is in treatment is almost
and a nurse—you’re practically a triple threat! Tell us, how did
the same as anyone else’s. v What makes Evergreen a great
you go from being a music major to a nurse practitioner? When
place to work? The organization truly cares about the people
I finally went away to college, I realized there were other aspects
we treat and want to make sure everybody who needs these
of life and learning that I enjoy, like science. So, I came back
services has access to them; it's at the core of Evergreen. We
to Jamestown and got an associate degree in nursing and then
have a pharmacy that will work to make sure patients don’t have
built upon that until I had my master’s degree, and I’m doing
high copays for even the Hepatitis C medications. For people
what I’m doing now. In some ways, it was a shift from thinking
who want to be on PrEP, we will work with the pharmaceutical
with the right side of my brain to the left side of my brain, but
companies, with copay cards, to make it so that it is accessible.
I think here at Evergreen, I integrate both, especially when
And it doesn’t matter who you are or what you look like. If you
it comes to reading emotions. If you walk into a room with a
walk into the waiting room at Evergreen, you are greeted with
patient, and you’re thinking only with the left side of the brain,
a smile. All patients are embraced and welcome. It’s just a place
it’s not going to work. You’ll never get through. So, one way or
of great hope. v If you had to sum up Evergreen in one word,
another, all those years of music lessons and studying voice,
which word would you choose? What’s one word to say a force
somehow, it’s playing into what I’m doing now and making
for change? Let’s see. Changemakers. We’re changemakers.
me a better nurse. v Evergreen is lucky to have you, Shirley!
v Your daily contributions to that change must be highly
Thank you for all the compassion you bring to our patients. v
rewarding and super challenging. What do you do outside of work to take care of yourself? I love to cook. All four of my
grandparents were Swedish, so I make things like cardamom
spotlight series on our blog. Click HERE to visit the blog!
Note: you can find more of the Team Evergreen employee
Clockwise from top left: big Evergreen lobby smiles
friend Ripley gives Santa a list of demands. Christi rides. More smiles, this time from the Mezzanine
Evergreen to take the stairs. Evergreen the cat peeks
from Meg Bhatti and Brian Orlikowski. Tess Lane's
ine Kemp shared this photo of Sally, who loves car crew. A new wellness campaign encourages Team
s out from behind Brian Orlikowski's holiday tree.
Lean In Dates
(each meeting is from 3 p.m. — 4 p.m.)
February 15
5th Floor Boardroom
April 19
Mathew’s Board Room
June 21
5th Floor Boardroom
August 16
5th Floor Boardroom
October 18
5th Floor Boardroom
December 20
5th Floor Boardroom
THE
Diversity and Inclusion Council sponsors
conditions are exemplary, there needs to be a committment to
several employee resource groups; informal
ongoing evaluation and developing new best practices," they said.
teams that meet regularly to discuss challenges
facing Evergreen staff. The newest resource
diverse employees, patients and communities is more than just lip
group is... well, it doesn't have an official name yet but it will focus
service. It's a core value that pays dividends. "When employees feel
on topics of interest to LGBTQIA+ and TGNCI+ staff and their
comfortable bringing their whole selves to work, their performance
allies. Evergreen staff might not be completely familiar with these
improves," Bridge noted. "It helps patients, too. They feel seen and that
acronyms. Bridge Rauch, leader of the new resource group, explains.
makes them more comfortable. Patients are also more likely to share
"LGBTQIA+ is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, Intersex,
their health concerns openly and honestly if they know their health
Asexual," they said. "TGNCI+ is Trans, Gender-Nonconforming,
providers are true allies who are well-informed on the unique issues
Intersex (ie, diverse sex and/or gender axis). I don’t feel the acronyms
and challenges a particular community may face every day."
themselves are as important as the plus sign at the end, which
indicates that this is a partial list of the identities we're speaking of.
we're absolutely seeking more members," said Bridge. "The first
These communities are much more expansive."
meeting will be March 12 at 9:30 a.m. in the Pride Center library.
The group is looking forward to holding its first meeting in
Please attend, especially if you consider yourself a member of one of
March, and according to Bridge one of the first projects to tackle
these communities. I also encourage staff to get involved in the Trans
will be picking a name. Once that order of business is out of the way,
Collaborative Team, a group which focuses on improving internal
the group will work towards improving treatment of Evergreen's
practices for trans clients. They meet next on Friday, February 8 at
LGBTQIA+ employees and patients. "Even in organizations where
3:00 p.m. in the Pride Center library.
Helping Evergreen be more effective in meeting the needs of our
This is a team effort. Or rather, a TeamEvergreen effort. "Yes,
Connections
When people want to take up room in the freezer in order to keep their writing utensils fresh…lol! — Joseph Sessa (see All Around Evergreen on the next page for photographic evidence of Joseph's complaint) L My biggest pet peeve is when people don’t mute their line on conference calls, or any other conference call misbehavior. It’s 2019!! — Christine Kemp L My pet peeve is people who use the word “literally” when they mean “figuratively.” I literally wish these people would’ve disappeared when Thanos snapped his finger. — Sal Sciandra L People that don't know how to merge into traffic. — Amy Usiak L When you pull up to a four-way stop, and a car that got there after you waves for you to go like they're doing you a favor or something. — John Carocci L People not using their turn signal or driving slower than the speed limit when there isn’t any ice or snow on the ground. Or when you’ve worked so hard to clean all the snow off your car and somebody driving in front of you did a horrible job cleaning off their car (i.e. not sweeping the mountain of snow off the roof) and it blows all over your clean windshield. Those people ARE. THE. WORST. — Stephanie Sly
Clockwise from top left: Joey Sessa's pet peeve - a p
Center attended a conference on drug policy reform
at Tokyo II Steakhouse. Their new friend Chef Stev
also known as Ollie! Have you seen Evergreen's new
pen in the freezer. Members of the Harm Reduction
m in Albany. Two from Stephanie Sly - first, the gang
ven was camera shy. Next is Sir Oliver White Paws,
w signs at the Elmwood Avenue location?
THE
Pride Center's Memory Loss
of institutional discrimination or even abuse based
Caregivers (MLC) program
on identity or relationship to the difficulty of finding
provides support for those
LGBTQ-affirming providers. Some LGBTQ people
who care for people with Alzheimer's disease or other
find themselves caring for a parent or family member
dementias. Suzanne Weessies, MLC's Caregiver
who has previously been unkind, unaccepting or even
Wellness Coordinator, explains. "MLC is here to
rejected the caregiver based on their LGBTQ identity.
help LGBTQ-identified folks (and allies!) navigate
These unique challenges are in addition to the stresses
the long, confusing and emotionally eviscerating
that face caregivers in general: feeling unsupported
journey of caregiving." MLC offers emotional support,
by siblings, legal or financial concerns, depression
education, problem solving and social engagement. It
and isolation."
also provides linkage and referral services in the form
understanding of the disease and what changes and
of intake, assessment and care consultations. "The
challenges to expect as their loved one progresses. It
goal is to leave caregivers more confident, supported,
also helps them become more competent and confident
and better prepared for the job ahead," said Suzanne.
caregivers, who know what resources exist and how
As Caregiver Wellness Coordinator, Suzanne meets
(or when) to access them. "Ideally, MLC acts as a safety
with individuals who care for someone living with
net for caregivers," said Suzanne. "It also validates their
dementia and provides outreach and education to the
feelings and experiences, and helps draw a road map for
community. She also serves as a liaison to the Silver
getting through — emotionally, socially, financially,
Pride Project, a social group for older LGBTQ adults.
medically, etc. — a disease that lasts an average of
v
MLC services are designed to address the unique
v
MLC helps caregivers increase their
eight to ten years."
v
MLC is still relatively new and
obstacles faced by LGBTQ caregivers and older adults.
Suzanne has been working hard to change the public's
"There are a number of challenges which are specific to
perceptions about dementia, caregiving and the Pride
the LGBTQ community," Suzanne said. "From the fear
Center itself. "It has been challenging to get the word out
that MLC exists and that it's a resource for families and
LGBTQ community as well as a trusted referral source
caregivers," Suzanne said. "Dementia and caregiving
for medical professionals who work with patients whose
aren’t topics people have associated with the Pride
lives are touched by dementia."
Center in the past. Likewise, it’s a challenge to position
from the University of Pittsburgh in 2004 and found her
ourselves as a primary source of support and education.
way into the senior services field. "I spent seven years
People already know the Alzheimer’s Association by
as a mental health and crisis case manager. I loved it,
name and/or reputation, and will connect to them
but ultimately realized my passion when I became the
regardless of whether or not anyone in the caregiving
Constituent Services Coordinator at the Alzheimer’s
dynamic identifies as LGBTQ. Further, the daily
Association in Pittsburgh. I was there for four years
demands of caregiving make it difficult for caregivers
and was responsible for all of the care consultations,
to attend appointments, groups meetings and social
public and professional education, early-stage social
outings."
Suzanne gets a great deal of satisfaction and
engagement programming, community outreach
pride from her work. "I’m honored just to be trusted by
and caregiver support groups across 12 counties. I was
an individual or family to guide them through their
looking to shake things up and happened to see a job
difficult time," she said. "I take satisfaction in knowing
listing for the Caregiver Wellness Coordinator at the
the caregiver has more knowledge, confidence and
Pride Center. The job sounded like it was created just
options than when they walked through the door, and
for me, so I applied, interviewed and moved my life to
that they will be able to provide better care to their loved
Buffalo."
one."
Suzanne also has high hopes for the continued
Simpson, my interests include music, science, justice,
growth of MLC. "I see the program gaining credibility
animals, shapes and feelings," she said. "I have a small,
as we impact more individuals and establish our value
moody dog (Wesley) and a sweet, diabetic cat (Squeaky).
in the community. Ideally, we’ll become the go-to
I’m the youngest of five siblings and most of my family
resource for caregivers and care receivers from the
lives in Michigan, where I grew up.
v
v
v
v
Suzanne graduated
Suzanne's Buffalo life is busy. "Like Lisa
Connections
Retirement Plan Trainings A Lawley representative will be on-site to review retirement plan options on the dates listed below. Event details will be sent out closer to the training dates. March 21 from 1 p.m. — 2 p.m. Evergreen Commons Sanctuary May 16 from 11 a.m. — 1 p.m. (portfolio reviews) Health Education and Engagement Conference Room 303 August 15 time and location TBD (Jamestown ) December 4 from 11 a.m. — 12 p.m. Evergreen Commons Sanctuary
turn the page to see more new faces >>
Birthdays LaTonia Lewis........................February 1 Lisandra Rivera......................February 2 Felissha Humphries................February 3 Joseph Osborne......................February 5 Teresa Lee..............................February 6 Robert Cunningham...............February 6 Rachel Parrino.......................February 8 Damian Mordecai...................February 9 Joleen Rodriguez....................February 9 Lori Anthony..........................February 11 Lauren Jamieson....................February 11 Indoallana Quinones..............February 13 Stephanie Vroman-Goodrich....February 14 Cyndie Huynh........................February 14 Carrie Rich.............................February 15 Liza Pereira............................February 16 Emma Hathaway....................February 16 Christine Marrano..................February 17 Aidan Coon............................February 19 Sarita Sanders........................February 20 Jocelyn Leising.......................February 20 Vendelin Juricevic..................February 21 Sheila Marcheson...................February 22 Chanel McDaniel....................February 23 Zenoma Muse........................February 24 Ian Eastman...........................February 24 Melissa Nagro........................February 24 Kimberley LaVare...................February 25 Charles Hunt..........................February 25 Victoria De Leon....................February 26 Johnelle Ferby........................February 27 Stefanie Lyons........................February 27 Steven Jagord.........................February 28 David Setlock.........................February 29
Anniversaries Rebecca Wedgewood.....................1 year Yahya Adam..................................1 year Jovino Morales..............................1 year Gregory Fulgham Jr.......................1 year Ivette Chavez-Gonzalez..................1 year Zenoma Muse...............................1 year Alex McGann................................1 year Shontae Scott................................1 year Daniele Verzelloni.........................1 year Alisha Sanders-Baity......................1 year Kandice Hood...............................1 years Amy Usiak.....................................2 years Jocelyn Leising..............................2 years Lauren Jamieson...........................2 years Xavier Washington........................3 years Byron McKinney...........................3 years Joseph Sieracki..............................3 years Adam Eisenhauer..........................3 years Jacob Marsh..................................3 years Kristin Rickert...............................3 years Christine Marrano.........................3 years Sergio Ponce.................................4 years Thomas Green..............................5 years
Hi Managers! Don't forget to check out the Managers' Corner on the Intranet. You'll find lots of great resources and tools, as well as access to manager-specific forms and Manager Training Curriculum handouts. You'll also find links to a variety of informative outside websites and videos. Using these resources can help you become a more effective manager.
Saw Min........................................8 years Kimberly Harding.........................9 years Joshua McClain.............................10 years Jerome Robinson...........................11 years John Carocci.................................25 years
Everyone who received a High Five between 11|17 and 12|14
A Amanda Thornton
A Kyle Berberich
A Brian Orlikowski
A Marcia Derby
A Christina Cornell
A Maria Cruz
A Christine Marrano
A Marielena Camacho
A Corrine Miosi
A Matthew Sydor
A Cortney Anderson
A Mayerling Garofalo
A Daniel Auflick
A Nicole Coonly
A Dennis McKnight
A Rachel Parrino
A Jacob Marsh
A Susan Fielder
A James Gerwitz
A Veronica Velazquez
A Jocelyn Leising