AS
Evergreen continues to grow, our talent
was a bit of culture shock because I had come
acquisition specialist Kimberly Clarke
from working in a corporate setting. Granted,
has her hands full finding talented
HR is never black and white, but the gray area
employees for the 20 to 25 positions Evergreen has
was a lot smaller in that environment. Here,
open at any given time. It’s a big job, but one that
we welcome and accept everyone for who they
her business administration education and strong
are, where they are — not only patients but also
human resources background well prepared
employees. So, the challenge is always finding
her for. In this latest Team Evergreen interview,
the balance of meeting people where they are but
we chat with Kimberly about Evergreen’s good
still maintaining compliance with government
vibes, the nonprofit she founded in the wake
regulations and other HR standards. If you had
of personal hardship and the one throwback
to describe Evergreen in one word, which word
television series she never goes a Sunday without.
would you choose? I want to say kaleidoscopic.
How does working at Evergreen compare to your
And I would say that because there’s so many
previous professional experiences? What I enjoy
different colors and layers and different things all
most is that there’s heart behind the work here.
working together. Looking at the building from
It’s fulfilling work. As a member of the Human
the outside, you would not see that. But when
Resources team, it’s my job to sell the organization
you come inside, you look around and get to see
to people we're trying to recruit and the people
people, speak to people and meet them. There’s
who already work here. And that’s a lot easier to
someone different in every corner, but they
do when it’s a good organization that you believe
all come together so beautifully. It’s amazing.
in, an organization that you can be proud of. And
What keeps you busy outside of work? I'm the
I can say that I am proud of the work that we do
founder and executive director of a nonprofit. I
here. What are some of the challenges you face
also do HR consulting, and I’m very involved in
in your role? When I first came on board, there
my community and church. Tell us more about
your nonprofit. What is it called, and what is
of everything you do for others? When I wake up,
its mission? Cameron’s Light Foundation is the
I always have some quiet time. I’ll meditate, drink
nonprofit I started, and its mission is to provide
my tea. I am a green tea drinker. That gets me
advocacy, support and resources to families
ready for the day. If you had a full day to yourself
with premature and NICU babies and those
without work, errands or responsibilities, what
experiencing infant loss. It started because I went
would you do to get away from it all? I would
through it myself, and I’d like for no other family
definitely go shopping followed by wine and
to have to do that. I actually partner with other
dessert, and then I’d go home and binge watch
organizations and with the Oishei Foundation to
TV. Quite often, when I have a day off, I’ll get in
bring that information and those resources to one
the car and I’ll drive. I might go across the border,
place for parents of these babies. We are there to
or I’ll go up to Syracuse to shop. I might stop in
remind them that they are their child’s advocate
Geneva at one of the wineries or something on
— that it’s okay to ask questions, and that it’s also
the way. What’s your binge watching go-to? The
okay to run errands and not feel guilty about it
Golden Girls. I watch it every Sunday. Well, that
while your baby is in the hospital. It’s okay to give
leads to the next question: who is your favorite
yourself some “me” time while your child is in an
Golden Girl? I just had this conversation! I had
incubator, and you can’t touch him or her. Things
to walk myself through it that time, but now
that no one really thinks about but that happen
I’m prepared. Definitely Dorothy. Wise choice,
all around us. We also want families to know
Kimberly. Thanks for all you do for Evergreen!
that they’re not alone. Other people have gone through it. We’ve lived through it, and whether it works out for the best or ends in the loss of your
Watch for Team Evergreen Employee Spotlights in
baby, you will be okay. What an admirable cause.
future issues of Connections, or visit our blog to
How do you make time for yourself in the midst
see the full collection - Evergreenhs.wordpress.com
To Our Incredible Evergreen Staff... Good news! Evergreen Health only had three small breaches of Protected Health Information in 2018. That's an amazing accomplishment and it wouldn't have been possible without your diligence and care in protecting patient information. Keep up the good work and thank you! ~ Evergreen Corporate Compliance
Connections March 2019
Publisher/Layout John Carocci
Copy Editor Amy Usiak
Contributors Tia Johnson Jocelyn Leising Melissa Delgado David Haefner, Esq. Laura Pasquarella Block Club Connections is the official monthly newsletter for the employees and Board members of the Evergreen Association and its affilliates (aka you). Please send us your story ideas, photos, feedback, or just a friendly hello to Evergreen Connections via Outlook. Thank you!
Clockwise from top left: John Carocci hangs out wit
DOFL board members at Niagara Falls. Dana McH counting among multiple threads! Team Evergreen
these photos of Linda Colburn and Ralphie from A C
th Lucia once in a while. Tour guide Rob Baird with
Hale's dog Coco has gone viral. 15 million views and at the Food Express food tent. Rose Serrano shared
Christmas Story. We're not sure which is which.
WELCOME WAGON MEETING SHEDULE March 15 June 14 September 13 December 6
Welcome Wagon meetings are 2:30 — 4 p.m. in the Evergreen Commons Sanctuary.
Welcome Wagon Evergreen's Welcome Wagon resource group is returning for 2019! The Welcome Wagon is a fun way for new employees to network, play some games, and learn more about Evergreen and Western New York. Everyone is welcome to join in on the fun, but employees hired within the last year are especially encouraged to attend. Please check with your supervisor before attending. If interested, reach out to Michael Canty via Outlook for an invitation.
Connections
The Art of Art Therapy show made its debut at the THRIVE Wellness Center. The artwork is selected from all of the work created during the previous year’s Art Therapy sessions. We hope it serves to inform others of the expressive and healing qualities inherent in the creative process. To learn more about Art Therapy please contact Laura Pasquarella via Outlook.
Everyone who received a High Five between 11|17 and 12|14
A Abby Depczynski
A Joleen Rodriguez
A Adria Reed
A Julie Vaughan
A Alan Jacyszyn
A Kate Gallivan
A Alex McGann
A Kayleen Coleman
A Alicia Coulter
A Kelly Craig
A Alyssa Shon
A Kelly Thompson
A Amy Usiak
A Kizzy Tell
A Anthony Roth
A Latonia Lewis
A Corrin LaVigne
A Linda Colburn
A Daniele Verzelloni
A Lindsey Kelly
A Harold Colburn
A Maria Cruz
A James DeGarmo
A Matthew Crehan Higgins
A Jillian Fanning
A Sam Gaerte
A Joe Sessa
This training promotes the care, welfare, safety and security for staff and patients who may be involved in a crisis situation. This all-day course teaches a range of preventative strategies, de-escalation and communication skills. You'll also learn psychological and physiological responses that will minimize the potential harm of disruptive, aggressive behavior. Trainings take place from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the Evergreen Commons Sanctuary. Contact Jocelyn Leising, Employee Engagement Specialist, to register. Non-Violent Crisis Intervention will be offered 4 times this year: March 7, June 20, September 19 and December 12.
An extraordinary fleet of twelve historic Tall Ships from across the United States, Canada, Spain and the South Pacific will visit Buffalo's waterfront from July 4 - 7. Enjoy live entertainment, exhibits, food and beverages for all ages at this FREE festival, open to the public (Passport tickets are required to board the Tall Ships). Evergreen employees can get an Early Bird discount: 10 percent off adult Passport tickets. Visit eventbrite. com/e/the-tall-ships-are-coming-basil-port-of-call-buffalo-tickets-52949437192?di scount=EvergreenEmployeeDiscount before March 15 to get the reduced rate. You can also purchase Passport tickets at Wegmans or online at PortofCallBuffalo.org.
C
Birthdays Kasha Lebron................................March 5 Jeffrey Santiago.............................March 6 Melinda Kingsbury........................March 6 Jacquelyn Dixon............................March 6 Harold Colburn.............................March 10 Theodore Wilson...........................March 10 Veronica Velazquez........................March 11 Theresa Shankland........................March 12 Erin Pepicello................................March 13 Mimi Danso..................................March 13 Rachel Voelkle-Kuhlmann..............March 14 Shirley Swenson............................March 15 Nichole Frank...............................March 15 Jasmine Padilla.............................March 15 Elizabeth Pijanowski.....................March 17 Joseph Ryan..................................March 17 Susan Vanderwerf.........................March 17 Trish Hopkins...............................March 17 Mindi Levine.................................March 18 Theresa Woehrel...........................March 20 Kaitlyn Gately................................March 20 Kathryn Connor............................March 21 Conor Sweeney.............................March 21 Tiffani Williams............................March 22 Kate Gallivan.................................March 22 Ingrid Burgos................................March 23 Jeanna Portera..............................March 24 Johanna Aponte............................March 26 Brittany Price................................March 26 Byron McKinney...........................March 26 Joshua McClain.............................March 27 Cord Stone....................................March 28 Kimberly Johnson Brown...............March 31 Alisha Sanders-Baity......................March 31
Anniversaries Johnathan Butler...........................1 year Bridge Rauch................................1 year Emmanuel Hudson........................1 year Teresa Lee.....................................1 year Arica Rouse...................................1 year Mimi Danso..................................1 year ZamZam Noor...............................1 year Conor Sweeney.............................1 year Charles Smith...............................2 years Stevem Jagord...............................3 years Dana McHale................................3 years Indoallana Quinones.....................3 years Renee VanAernam.........................3 years Abby Depczynski...........................3 years Lidia Kendrick..............................4 years Kasha Lebron................................4 years James DeGarmo............................6 years
Congratulations to Cheryl Brunetti, care coordinator,
Justin Azzarella.............................7 years
winner of a 2019 Excellence in Health Care award from
Kelly Craig....................................9 years
Business First. This award recognizes top achievement in the healthcare field in Western New York. According to Business First, award winners are committed to improving care, educating the public or working on the cutting-edge of healthcare technology. "These people go above and beyond the call of duty," said the Business First website. "They impact on the growth and development of the profession and impact on the community." Nominations were open to people from any area of healthcare, including physicians, nurses, board members, advocates, researchers and care coordinators. As an award winner, Cheryl will be honored at an reception on March 28. She will also be featured in the April issue of Business First. Congratulations, Cheryl, and well done!
Angela Palmer...............................18 years
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