My title is VP of corporate culture. My mission is to listen, learn, and collaborate with all to ensure we are living our core values and moving together towards eradicating health inequity through unconditional care! Our culture is who we are, what we do, how we treat one another, and how we show up for our community. The 40 plus years we have been in existence have demonstrated our attention to meeting the needs of not only our community, but our people, meaning our employees. In order to effectively do this, we have to prioritize our culture.
What is your "typical" workday like?
I love coming to work every day, so I try to spread that energy to each person I interact with throughout my day. It’s the little things such as saying hello and good morning, asking people how they are doing, or asking if there is anything I can do to help them today? Equally as important, I consider myself a life-long student of people, so I am always trying to learn something from someone else’s lived experiences. For example, I go on my self-titled “water walks” where I walk around and get my water and then go into office spaces and ask what they do, just say hello, or try to solve riddles on people’s desks while sparking a conversation. I developed an organizational goal of being a “people first culture,” so I must model and embody that each day.
What do you find most satisfying about your work here at Evergreen?
I set a goal for myself in my first 100 days to meet 100 employees and ended up meeting with 188 employees! I learned a lot from this experience that is tremendously inspirational as a new member of the Evergreen community and I came away with three main takeaways from these meetings. The first is everyone I met with expressed how much they love their jobs, the people that they work with, and the patients they serve. Second, the honesty people shared about how we can do better at listening, sharing information, and discussing changes as an organization. Third, there is a group of folks who have been with the organization for 6 or more years who have deep insights into our past, present, and future and have a strong appreciation for where we have come from, and a sense of excitement for our future. These takeaways were the foundation for how I think about how my role can make an impact.
I CONSIDER MYSELF A LIFE-LONG STUDENT OF PEOPLE, SO I AM ALWAYS TRYING TO LEARN SOMETHING FROM SOMEONE ELSE’S LIVED EXPERIENCES
- RAHSAAN DELAIN
How do you incorporate our core values into the work you do every day?
I had the privilege of joining the People Management and Culture workgroup who led the process of developing and communicating our core values. I want to shout out that group for the attention and care they placed on these values. Each day I set out to embed our core values in small and incremental ways. Our values also align with my personal and professional values and beliefs. I like to keep things very simple; I make every effort to be a good human being to other human beings. In many ways this is what our core values are all about.
What are the challenges you face in your work?
The challenges I foresee mirror some of what we hope to all overcome. As external threats to our mission become more evident, we are all accountable for not allowing these challenges to divide us. Our relationships with one another, leadership, champions, and allies will be extremely important for our future. The good news is we have guiding lights, our BHAG and our core values, both bringing us together each day and certainly in times of difficulties. Also, as we grow as an organization the feeling of being connected to one another can be a challenge. Our Employee Engagement, Marketing and Communications, DEIB and Employee Resource Groups are working hard to keep us all connected.
What direction(s) would you like to see Evergreen culture going in the future?
One of the hats I wear is as an educator. So, I believe an important goal for us is to become a Professional Learning Organization meaning that we are accountable to one another to listen, learn from, and act on the things we agree on. Learning and growth become our mindset and our practices, and we look to enhance our learning opportunities for all
employees. If we are continuously learning, collaborating, engaging with data, and improving what we do, our culture will thrive. Secondly, I believe it is important that we create Leadership pipelines for leaders of color and other marginalized groups. Hiring, retaining, and promoting these talented individuals from diverse backgrounds benefits us all.
Tell us a bit more about your background and how that lead you to your current role?
I grew up in Rochester, NY where I lived with my parents and my older sister. My mom spent 40 plus years as a social worker reuniting marginalized children and families. My dad, a decorated Vietnam Marine Corp veteran, worked with incarcerated youth for much of his career. I completed my bachelor’s degree in Sociology at UB, then graduated with a master’s degree in clinical Mental Health Counseling from St. John Fisher University. I am currently a Counseling and Counselor Education PhD student at Syracuse University. My dissertation study will explore experiences of Black fathers raising children with autism. My professional background has taken me from grassroots community-based work in addressing community violence, homeless individuals struggling with substance use and mental illness, juvenile justice, DEI roles, and health equity.
When you aren't working, what are your interests?
Family is everything to me. My husband and I have four beautiful children ages 8,8, 6, and 5. As a married same-sex couple who have adopted children, we lived through various experiences of discrimination and systemic barriers to building our family. As parents of children who are neurodiverse, we are advocates for racial equity, neurodiversity, as well as marriage and family equality. I am a Buffalo Bills fan so I love watching football and other sports when I can. Food wise, I am a soul food and barbecue lover any day of the week! Mary J. Blige is my favorite musician (My Life album is a classic) with Rahsaan Roland Kirk (Jazz musician I was named after) as a close second.
Anything else you want to share?
I want to thank the Evergreen community for the warm welcome to the organization. I am “all in” on our collective work towards achieving our BHAG, living out our core values, and sharing accountability for our continued growth.
– Unconditionally, Rahsaan
UNCONDITIONAL SIGNAGE INSTALL
We continued our efforts to bring more of our Unconditional brand inside the walls of Evergreen with new signage at 206 S. Elmwood and the Commons! If you haven't already seen them in person, check out these photos of the newly added signs, posters and decals that add to our unconditionally accepting and welcoming environment!
This season might not have ended how we hoped it would, but nobody can say it's because Team Evergreen didn't show enough Bills spirit. There's always next year...
As we prepare to gather for Huddle 2025, let's look back at some memories from previous Huddles!
The CAS Outreach Team went on a holiday outing.
Thank you Kandice Hood for the great photo!
Publisher/Layout
John Carocci
Copy Editors
Jean Conway
Emily McGorry
Kristy Mangel
Maggie Carrig
Contributors
Eric Poniatowski
Christopher Cline
Nancy J. Parisi
Connections is the official monthly newsletter for employees and board members of Evergreen Health and its affilliates, the Pride Center of Western New York and Community Access Services. You can submit photos, comments or a "hello" via Outlook at Evergreen Connections.
Welcome to Black History Month! This annual celebration recognizes the contributions and achievements of Black Americans and their central role in U.S. history. This year’s Black History Month theme is African Americans and Labor, focusing “on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds - free and unfree, skilled and unskilled, vocational and voluntary - intersect with collective experiences of Black people.” We invite you all to participate in the Black History Month events shared below!
The Communities of Color (CoC) Employee Resource Group with be posting trivia questions on Blink at the end of each week. All correct answers will be entered into a drawing for a prize! Be on the lookout for these posts!
ColoRise
Lunch and Learn | Thursday, February 13 from 12 – 1 p.m.
Instead of a normal CoC meeting, we will be attending a virtual ColoRise Lunch and Learn: “To DEI or not to DEI, that is the question” on Thursday, February 13 from 12 – 1 p.m. If you’re interested in joining, please contact diversity-inclusion@evergreenhs.org for the registration link.
Buffalo Fashion Runway - Black Carpet ll | Saturday, February 15 from 5 – 9 p.m.
Evergreen is proud to sponsor the Black Carpet II event on Saturday, February 15 from 5 – 9 p.m. at Buffalo Connecticut Street Armory. Tickets are limited and are first come first served! If interested in attending, please email diversity-inclusion@evergreenhs.org.
BHM
Swag Distribution | Week of February 17
The CoC will be distributing BHM buttons during our birthday celebrations the week of February 17! Make sure to stop by and grab one along with your birthday cake!
CoC Panel Discussion: “African Americans and Labor” | Thursday, February 27 from 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Join the CoC on Thursday, February 27 from 12 - 1:30 p.m. in the Commons Sanctuary for a panel discussion on this year’s Black History Month theme: “African Americans and Labor”. This event is open to all staff! Please email diversity-inclusion@evergreenhs.org for the meeting invite.
Other ways to celebrate Black History Month include:
Support Black-owned businesses
Attend local/virtual events
Head over to the Black History Month 2025 folder on the Hub for more!
Matthew Faltisco February 1
Jake Ralabate February 1
Gabriel Roger February 2
Angelie Roger February 2
Tiffany Bieber February 2
Lisandra Rivera February 2
Darrin Rios February 2
Erica Schuler February 3
Amina Shaibi February 5
Teresa Lee February 6
Kaseadra Carthon February 6
Allison Verstraete February 8
Kristen Kozlowski February 8
Megan Brady. February 10
Lauren Jamieson February 11
Shawn Caldwell February 11
Rachel Argo February 13
Barbara Bronner February 14
Da'Quon Johnson ...................................... February 14
Stephanie Vroman-Goodrich ................... February 14
Jovan Mathis .............................................. February 14
Kristine Spada February 15
Hailie Costantino February 16
Marcy Perez. February 16
Dawn Burkett February 16
Michael Chapman February 17
Xiana Parker February 17
Sydney Gregory February 19
Tonia Kelly February 21
Rosalind Sulaiman February 21
Sheila Marcheson February 22
Marvin Zinnerman February 23
Lyndsay Zsiros February 24
James Shoptaugh February 24
Ian Eastman February 24
Melissa Laux February 24
Luis Pereira Ballachino February 25
Charles Hunt February 25
Victoria De Leon February 26
Christopher Patti February 26
Graham Jones February 26
Joseph Genau February 27
Elisandra Mercado February 27
Steven Jagord February 28
David Setlock February 29
Disability Etiquette Training
Option 1: Thursday, February 27 in person from 9am - 10am
Evergreen Commons Sanctuary, 67 Prospect Avenue
Option 2: Friday, February 28 from 2pm - 3pm
Virtual via Zoom
This training is hosted by the Embrace, Empower, and Include Employee Resource Group. Click HERE to sign up for either session in Evergreen University. Contact Evergreen Training and Development with questions.
Training Overview: As our patient population continues to grow, we are serving more patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This training will give an overview of intellectual and developmental disabilities and also disability etiquette best practices. All Evergreen, Community Access Services, and Pride Center staff are welcome to participate. Please obtain supervisor approval ahead of time.
Respecting Others and Standing Up to Bullies
Wednesday, March 19 in person from 3:30pm - 4:30pm
800 Hertel Staff Kitchen/Break Room
This learning opportunity is hosted by the Embrace, Empower, and Include Employee Resource Group, and presented by Engelic Everett, a self-advocate, poet, published author, YouTuber, podcast host and content creator from Buffalo. Ms. Everett, who was born with Down syndrome and also diagnosed with lupus in 2017, is not ashamed to mention her disability because she is unique in her own way and it does not define who she is. During this session, Engelic will share her life story and content from her books about the importance of respecting others. Click HERE to sign up in Evergreen University. Contact Evergreen Training and Development with questions
Wednesday, March 5 from 9am – 4pm (15-minute meeting time slot)
Use the calendar link to reserve your spot on Wednesday, March 5 for a 15 minute one-on-one session with our Lawley Retirement Account Executive. You'll be provided login information to a virtual session through your email.
Questions, contact Evergreen Training and Development
Option 1: Tuesday, March 25
1 – 4pm @ Evergreen Commons Sanctuary
Option 2: Friday, April 25
1 – 4pm @ Evergreen Commons Sanctuary
If your certification will expire before June 30, 2025, sign up for one of these classes. Please confirm with your job description if CPR/AED is required for your job. A CPR/AED certification must be renewed every two years. The training is led by Buffalo CPR.
Registration Steps
1. Obtain supervisor approval and department cost code to bill for the $49 CPR/AED fee.
2. Sign up on Evergreen University (click HERE).
3. Email Evergreen Training and Development the department account to bill for CPR/AED.
We were saddened to learn of the passing of David McCready, one of our care coordinators in the Southern Tier. David had been a member of Team Evergreen for more than four years.
Connections joins the rest of the Evergreen family in sending love and comfort to everyone who knew David.
