Connections February 2022 Final

SHAREE

Harris joined Evergreen in 2017 as a front desk clerk at the Elmwood Avenue location. "I loved it," Sharee said. But when a position opened in the field she had taken classes for, Sharee jumped at the opportunity. She has been a medical assistant in Primary and Specialty Care at the Bailey Avenue location since June of 2021.

As a medical assistant, Sharee has a variety of responsibilities that can vary from day to day. "I check patients in for the providers, take vitals, update medical and social histories, clean and stock examination rooms, draw blood and just try to make the flow easier for the providers. Some days it's non-stop. Other days, not as much."

Sharee says she likes just about everything about her job and being part of Team Evergreen. "From the moment I started working here, I knew this would be the place where I could grow," she said. "The patients here are the best. They’re so appreciative of everything we do for them. It makes me feel good knowing that whatever part I played made some type of difference. I love my coworkers in every department here. I miss the Elmwood crew but I’ve made Bailey my new home."

One challenge Sharee faces is COVID-related. "It’s hard for people to see my smile under the mask," she said. "I miss that. I always felt a smile gives people a sense of calm, especially coming into a doctor’s office.

So I’ve learned to give them the best smiling eyes I possibly can!"

Sharee grew up on Buffalo's East side, attending Seneca High School and earning a Regents diploma in CAD/CAM robotics. "I decided to get into the healthcare field," she said. "I started as a certified nursing assistant. In 2015, I took classes to become a medical assistant." She is currently in her final year working on a bachelor of arts degree in healthcare administration from Western Governors University.

When she's not working or studying, Sharee is mom to four children. "I have three boys and one girl," she said. "My oldest son and my daughter are adults and they’ve moved out. So, I’m home with a teenager, a toddler and my 9 year old grandson lives with me, as well. I have a total of four grandchildren. I had dogs growing up, but after I started my family I ran out of room for pets!"

Sharee also enjoys traveling, Marvel movies and naps. "It sounds boring but it’s the best thing in the world for me. It keeps me looking and feeling young."

Thank you Sharee for everything you do for our patients... you've earned that nap!

MOCHA Buffalo and the Marketing team recently worked with videographer Greg Addo to transform Evergreen Commons into the setting for MOCHA's vogue-themed promotional video. Watch for this exciting video coming soon! Special thanks to Latrese Myers for the great photographs.

FEBRUARY

is Black History Month, which commemorates and celebrates the contributions people of African descent have made to our nation. As a healthcare organization,

Evergreen recognizes Black History Month 2022's theme of "Black Health and Wellness" as an opportunity to highlight health equity and the impacts of health disparities. Compared to white people, Black people face higher risks of heart disease, cancer, stroke, asthma, influenza, diabetes and HIV. They are more likely to have risk factors, such as obesity or hypertension and less likely to have health insurance or access to care. The pandemic has highlighted further disparities. According to the CDC, Black people are experiencing 2.6 times more cases, 4.7 times more hospitalizations and 2.1 times more deaths from COVID-19 per capita than whites.

Evergreen is committed to addressing health disparities and working toward equity for all communities and in all aspects of life, including healthcare. Achieving health equity is essential to achieving racial equity.

In early 2020, Evergreen’s Board of Directors and Executive Team unanimously approved a three-year Racial Equity Action Plan, a multi-faceted approach to ensure we move closer to the goal of making Evergreen a more equitable organization for patients and employees. To date, we have made some progress with our plan. We have rolled out a Diversity Dashboard that takes a look at our internal human capital data through the lens of diversity and inclusion to make better-informed decisions. We have also revamped and relaunched our Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Council with goals to influence positive change in organizational culture, increase employee engagement and trust, impact DEI strategies and initiatives and increase community partnerships and relationships. We established an internal “Health Equity & Health Disparities Taskforce” to guide the agency in anchoring actions in disaggregated data, understanding social factors of patients of color, identifying non-clinical and supportive services and embedding cultural humility in our service delivery. We’ve also added a D&I Project Manager, Tiffany Valentin, to support, manage and implement DEI strategies and initiatives and formalized our Intentional Spend Policy to increase our spend and contributions to the local economy, minority and women-owned businesses and enterprises (MWBE), LGBTQ+ businesses and Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses, as well. Lastly, we’ve increased the presence of our Employee Resource Groups with new programming, events and opportunities for staff engagement (check Blink for Black History Month Updates from the Communities of Color Resource Group).

Evergreen believes that adopting these inclusive practices is absolutely essential to reducing health disparities and, at the same time, to earn the trust and respect of our community so that we may continue to provide services for years to come. Watch for more information on this topic in future issues of Connections.

>>

In the City of Buffalo, February 7 is known as CAS Day. Designed by Mayor Byron Brown, this day celebrates the hard work that the people at Community Access Services do for the city of Buffalo, especially those living on the East Side. CAS wants to take the opportunity to thank our community of affiliates and partners who help them help others. While celebrations are not inperson this year due to COVID-19, CAS wants you to know that they appreciate all you do for the community.

FIRST

of all, there are more ways to measure results than by the scale. Feeling stronger and having more energy are two good signs that what you’re doing is working. Don’t get sucked into determining your success by what the scale says, especially in those first few weeks. When you first start a new exercise routine, your body tends to shed excess water weight, so it appears as though you are really trimming the fat easily and quickly. But these “easy” pounds are the only ones to go fast. After the water-weight loss, your body builds muscle while also burning fat. So, although you may not see a change in your weight according to your scale, your workouts are still facilitating many beneficial changes for your body.

ATTAIN HEALTH GOALS WITHOUT THE HELP OF A SCALE | When the calories you burn are equal to the calories you eat, you reach a plateau. Using the same approach that initially worked may maintain your weight loss, but it won’t lead to additional slimming, if that’s your goal. Want to continue to see and feel results or just want to pick up some healthy habits? Here are some suggestions: • •

• • • • • •

Instead of giving yourself a weight goal, strive to feel good in your favorite clothing Opt for taking your body measurements instead of weekly weigh-ins. As you build muscle, the scale may not move, but you will be losing inches as you tone up. By recording your measurements, you can gauge your success in the gym. Be mindful to only measure yourself once per week, as your body can slightly fluctuate every day.

Build a positive body image and healthy relationship with food with intuitive eating, a self-care framework that ditches diets and integrates instinct, emotion, and rational thought into eating.

Add more activity into your day by taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work, parking further away from stores when running errands, or dancing to music while you clean house.

Substitute fruits and vegetables into your diet in place of foods that are high in fat and do not provide essential nutrients.

Mix up a regular workout routine by adding intervals into your 30-minute run, increasing speed during your bicycle ride or adding an exercise class to your weekly workout schedule.

Add strength training to your workouts, which will boost your metabolism, help your body burn more calories and build muscle.

Be realistic. If you can’t further decrease the calories you eat or increase your physical activity, you may have hit your “minimum” weight. It is important to still appreciate the goals you’ve made and work to retain your level of fitness. If you think you’re capable of further weight loss, consult your physician about other strategies.

Whatever you do, don’t let a weight loss plateau cause you to give up exercise and nutrition altogether. Because you’ve already improved your diet and increased your physical activity, you’ve already improved your health.

by Carla Kennedy, Lawley Corporate Wellness Team Lead | submitted by HR

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 March 2022 issue of Connections is Tuesday, February 15. Be sure to get your content in before the deadline to guarantee placement. Kids, pets, recipes -we want to share them all! Send to EvergreenConnections via Outlook.

Clockwise from left: Aanya and Ivette take a selfie with the syringe exchange's new peer worker, Baby Yoda; the Pride Center's Bi+ Community Meetup was held at Misuta Chow's. It may have been cold and snowy outside but it was warm and friendly inside.

Publisher/Layout John Carocci

Copy Editor Melissa Meyer

Contributors Jocelyn Leising Nina Smith Kimberly Clarke Latrese Myers Elizabeth Nelson Melissa Meyer John Carocci Connections is the monthly newsletter for employees and board members of Evergreen Health and its affilliates, the Pride Center of Western New York and Community Access Services. Please send us your story ideas, photos, feedback or just a friendly hello at Evergreen Connections via Outlook.

Connections teamed up with Blink to chat with the staff at the Pride Center. Turn the page (or visit Blink) to learn more about the Pride Center team.

Shateer Douglas

Gideon Belin

Lorenzo Parnell

Mel LeMay

Q How long have you been with The Pride Center and what other positions have you held in the past (if any)? A I have been with the Pride Center for about 2.5 years.

Q How long have you been with The Pride Center and what other positions have you held in the past (if any)? A I've been with The Pride Center since February 2019. Before working at Pride, I was a part of the Connect Plus team at Evergreen.

Q How long have you been with The Pride Center and what other positions have you held in the past (if any)? A I’ve been working at the Pride Center for three months and my favorite part is working with the community.

Q How long have yo Pride Center and wh have you held in the A Since July 2021 a worked at Evergreen and harm reduction

Q What are you looking forward to in 2022? A This year I’m looking forward to my lead role as Lola in Kinky Boots at Shea’s 710 Theatre.

Q If you could learn what would it be? A more realistically, I’d play the piano. I can instruments but the me so far.

LINKAGE SPECIALIST

Q When I’m not at work, I’m… A When I’m not at work I am listening to Afro Beats, traveling or both.

LINKAGE SPECIALIST

Q What is something that might be considered a luxury, but you don’t think you could live without? A Laneige lip sleeping masks.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

DIR. OF HEALTH E

y LMSW

Emily Bystrak MPH

Sean Medina

Kelly Craig MPA

ou been with The hat other positions e past (if any)? and before that I n in mental health n.

Q What brought you to The Pride Center? A I was looking for a job with Evergreen, but Maria saw my MPH portfolio on LGBTQ+ health promotion and thought I would be a good fit for Pride. I’m so grateful she did, because this position was exactly what I was hoping to find!

Q What brought you to The Pride Center? A Passion and love for my community. I want to show my peers and the generation that follows what it's like to be a leader and role model.

I've always had mentors in the community and now it's my turn!

Q What do you do in your position at The Pride Center? A I am the executive director. I am responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plan of the organization.

D. & OUTREACH

n to do anything, A Apparate! But d want to learn to n play a few other e piano has eluded

ENGAGEMENT & ED. COORDINATOR

Q When I'm not at work, I'm... A Cozied up with tea, candles and movies. Or, playing RPGs with my friends!

LINKAGE SPECIALIST

Q When I'm not at work, I'm... A Makeup artistry is my forever passion.

Bringing someone's inner beauty to the surface is so fulfilling. The ability to express my creativity while allowing humans to experience a new level of confidence, excitement and happiness is the ultimate reward.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Q What was the best career advice you ever received? A Invest in your team as someone invested in you!

February Birthdays LaTonia Lewis................................. February 1 Matthew Faltisco........................... February 1 Gino Pinzone................................... February 2 Lisandra Rivera............................... February 2 Felissha Humphries....................... February 3 Kelsey Hanks.................................. February 3 Amina Shaibi................................... February 5 Robert Cunningham...................... February 6 Teresa Lee....................................... February 6 Rachel Tefft..................................... February 6 Allison Verstraete........................... February 8 Joleen Rodriguez........................... February 9 Megan Brady................................... February 10 Lauren Jamieson........................... February 11 Shawn Caldwell.............................. February 11 Stephanie Vroman-Goodrich....... February 14 Jovan Mathis.................................. February 14 Irenes Oquendo.............................. February 14 Kristine Spada................................ February 15 Emma Hathaway............................ February 16 Liza Pereira...................................... February 16 Christine Marrano.......................... February 17 Amber Hudson............................... February 18 Jocelyn Leising............................... February 20 Sheila Marcheson.......................... February 22 Sara Fagyas.................................... February 23 Melissa Laux................................... February 24 Ian Eastman.................................... February 24 Kimberley LaVare........................... February 25 Charles Hunt................................... February 25 Victoria De Leon.............................. February 26 Christopher Patti............................ February 26 Stefanie Lyons................................ February 27 Steven Jagord................................. February 28 Myron Rogers................................. February 28 David Setlock.................................. February 29

February Anniversaries Joelle Toal.............................................. 1 Year

Top Benefits

of Evergreen Health University • • • • • •

Organizes training content in one location One centralized training transcript/record Provides unlimited access to hundreds of courses Free access to Continuing Education Units (CEUs) Easily tracks staffs learning progress Easy access to your learning portal on any mobile device

•

And much more!

If you have any questions or comments about the system please contact Jocelyn Leising, employee experience coordinator!

Evergreen Has New Training Opportunities for Professionals!

Our new CME-accredited classes are led by field educator, Aanya Wood and include “HIV Status Neutral: The Integration of PrEP and Undetectable,” “Sex Worker Health: Disparities and Best Practices” and “Working with Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Patients.” These classes are a great opportunity for organizations and individuals to learn about harm reduction, LGBTQ+ care, advances in HIV medication and experience with drug user and sex worker populations. To learn more about these classes, call us at 716.847.2441 and ask to speak with Aanya or Matthew Crehan Higgins. #TheMoreYouKnow #EquitableHealthcare #LGBTQCare

Christine Baczkiewicz.......................... 2 Years Beth Barone-Gregory........................... 2 Years Aanya Wood........................................... 2 Years Katheryn Richards................................ 2 Years Jennifer Cheatom................................. 3 Years Sandra Aviles......................................... 3 Years Teourialeir Johnson.............................. 3 Years Jovino Morales...................................... 4 Years Shontae Scott........................................ 4 Years Ivette Chavez-Gonzalez....................... 4 Years Daniele Verzelloni.................................. 4 Years Kandice Hood........................................ 4 Years Lauren Jamieson.................................. 5 Years Jocelyn Leising...................................... 5 Years Amy Usiak............................................... 5 Years Byron McKinney.................................... 6 Years Xavier Washington................................ 6 Years Jacob Marsh.......................................... 6 Years Christine Marrano................................. 6 Years Kimberly Harding.................................. 12 Years Joshua McClain.................................... 13 Years Jerome Robinson.................................. 14 Years John Carocci.......................................... 28 Years

Community Access Services leadership is dedicated to fostering an environment that acknowledges hard work. Each quarter, an employee who has exhibited a commitment to achieving the essential functions of their role, provides satisfactory customer service and contributes to the efficient functioning of the team is chosen to be the CAS Champion.

This quarter's Champion is Theodore Wilson, a linkage specialist working under the Criminal Justice Initiative.

Theodore provides HIV-positive incarcerated men with linkage and navigation assistance to ensure a continuum of care upon release. Service linkages include but are not limited to: primary and specialty care, behavioral health, prevention services and patient education. These are all resources that every person should have the opportunity to access when in need. Theodore has proved on countless occasions that he is willing to help in any and all capacities of work here at CAS. He is always perusing what he can do more of or next. He is a dedicated and diligent with all of his contributions. His hard work is very much appreciated and noticed by his colleagues and we thank him for all he does here at CAS.

- Elizabeth Nelson