Connections March 2020

I started working at Evergreen in October. I seized the opportunity to do so because the agency was an asset to my own personal recovery; the opportunity to give that gift to others is both empowering and rewarding.

Because of My Lived Experience | With my lived experience in recovery, I naturally

have the ability to connect with our patients here at Evergreen. I look to inspire them while in turn being inspired. Every day I am fortunate enough to be able to share my experience, strength and hope. Me and my patients are able to talk about having acceptance for the things we cannot change and the courage to change what we can.

My Role Is Unique Because | One of the benefits of my position is that there is much more

flexibility than that of your typical substance use counselor. I can literally meet patients where they are in the community, as well as in the office. Although having an appointment with me is helpful, it is also possible to walk in and meet with me for additional support at any time. Since we use the harm reduction approach at Evergreen, our patients all define the term recovery differently and that is okay. No matter how you view recovery, the ability to talk with someone who has had their own struggle with substance use is valuable.

A recovery peer advocate is an individual who uses their knowledge acquired through

lived experience related to substance use, to support the recovery goals of individuals who use drugs and/or alcohol. Peer support services target recovery outcomes such as improved health and wellness; an increased sense of self-efficacy or empowerment; and increased success and satisfaction in a range of community settings, such as work, home and school. Together, the peer and patient will work on short term goals and begin putting

them into motion. The peer aligns with the harm reduction philosophy allowing the patient to define their recovery and what that looks like. Some peer responsibilities include: • Engage with individuals who are considering changing behaviors and/or entering treatment, both on-site and in the community.

• Provide outreach, advocacy, mentoring and recovery support services to those seeking or sustaining recovery.

• Engage with patients to attend treatment or other healthcare services, as well as navigating treatment options. Raise awareness of existing social and other support services.

• Provide non clinical crisis support.

• Provide services to patients who have a high rate of hospital utilization to decrease readmission and emergency room occurrences.

• Model healthy coping skills for patients.

• Provide outreach at community events, as requested.

Editor's Note: If you think a patient could benefit from this service or if you have questions, ask our peer, Collin Ranney. He is located on the 4th floor of 206 South Elmwood in Substance Use Counseling. Please feel free to reach out via phone or email.

Hey Team Evergreen! Buffalo Pride Week is right around the corner. Did you know it takes almost 200 volunteers to make the Pride Parade and Festival happen? We'd love your help this year! Save the date for Sunday, June 7th and shoot an email to volunteer@evergreenhs.org if you're interested in learning more about our volunteer opportunities including ticket sales, admissions, parade traffic control and more!

Evergreen's new Transgender Healthcare Services (THCS) program has been designed to enhance access to care for transgender people, especially those in communities of color who aren't engaged in care. THCS will also provide more fully integrated services that will improve health outcomes for our patients. "THCS will benefit transgender people, living with or at risk for HIV, with a focus on communities of color," explained social work manager Meghan Canfield.

"Specifically, it benefits those who may or may not know their HIV status or who aren't engaged in care or prevention services." Risk factors include transactional sex work, homelessness and/or people who are injecting hormones, silicone or other substances.

THCS will offer a variety of services to participants, including peer services, medical case

management and linkage to the full array of Evergreen programs (primary care, HIV, hepatitis C, HRT, screening and treatment for STIs, PrEP, nutrition and mental health and substance use counseling). THCS will also offer TEACH, a monthly workshop that includes health education and encourages skill-building and self-care.

TEACH, which stands for Trans Education Around Community Health, will feature psychosocial educational workshops for individuals who identify as transgender, genderqueer or gender non-conforming to receive information regarding health literacy, health care system navigation, adherence to medications (ART, PrEP), HRT and education/vocation training. To qualify, participants must identify as transgender, genderqueer or gender non-conforming and should be a patient of THCS, but this isn't mandatory. TEACH will take place on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 2 p.m. at the Commons, beginning on April 15. For referrals or additional information, please contact Lauren Jamieson (medical case manager), Meghan Canfield (social work manager) or Aanya Wood (linkage specialist).

W birth gi

We goofed. Last month's issue of Connections listed the January hdays (again) instead of the February birthdays. We're sorry! Please ive some belated birthday love to the following February babies: Matthew Faltisco

Shawn Caldwell

Christine Marrano

Charles Hunt

Latonia Lewis

Lauren Jamieson

Amber Hudson

Kimberley LaVare

Lisandra Rivera

Dario Gray

Aidan Coon

Victoria De Leon

Felissha Humphries

Indoallana Quinones

Danielle Johnson

Christopher Patti

Robert Cunningham

Cyndie Huynh

Jocelyn Leising

Stefanie Lyons

Teresa Lee

Stephanie Vroman-Go-

Vendelin Juricevic

Johnelle Ferby

Rachel Parrino

odrich

Sheila Marcheson

Steven Jagord

Joleen Rodriguez

Carrie Rich

Chanel McDaniel

David Setlock

Kaley Murphy

Kristine Spada

Zenoma Muse

Damian Mordecai

Emma Hathaway

Melissa Nagro

Megan Brady

Liza Pereira

Ian Eastman

Mark your calendar! The submission deadline for the April issue of Connections is Friday, March 20.

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

Joseph Ryan shared this photo of the "crafty" farewell celebration for Krista Orrange, who is leaving Evergreen after 8 years. Left to right: Krista, Crystal Pereira-Finley, Joseph Ryan, Jason Perez, Andi Ace and Teresa Lane. Thank you and best wishes, Krista!

And, don't forget, we love to share your photos. Kids, pets, vacations and recipes, send them all to Connections at Evergreen Connections via Outlook.

Pronoun Buttons on Cake Day!

Birthdays Jacquelyn Dixon...............................March 6 Melinda Kingsbury.........................March 6 Theodore Wilson.............................March 10 Nakeie Carpenter............................March 10 Harold Colburn.................................March 10 Melissa Meyer....................................March 11 Veronica Velazquez.......................March 11 Theresa Shankland........................March 12 Erin Pepicello.....................................March 13 Mimi Danso.........................................March 13 Rachel Voelkle-Kuhlmann..........March 14 Nichole Frank....................................March 15 Jasmine Padilla.................................March 15 Shirley Swenson...............................March 15 Elizabeth Pijanowski......................March 17 Susan Vanderwerf..........................March 17 Joseph Ryan........................................March 17 Mindi Levine.......................................March 18 Kaitlyn Gately.....................................March 20 Theresa Woehrel.............................March 20 Conor Sweeney.................................March 21 Kathryn Connor................................March 21 Khrissmyra Vargas.........................March 21 Kate Gallivan......................................March 22 Tiffani Williams................................March 22 Vanessa Santos.................................March 22 Melissa Tice-Crawford.................March 23 Ingrid Burgos.....................................March 23 Johanna Aponte................................March 26 Bryon McKinney...............................March 26 Brittany Price.....................................March 26 Joshua McClain.................................March 27 Elizabeth Blauser.............................March 28 Kimberly Johnson Brown............March 31

Anniversaries 403b Retirement Trainings are Back!

A representative from Lawley Insurance will be on-site to provide 403b retirement training and answer any questions you have regarding your retirement options.

Trainings will be held in the Evergreen Commons Sanctuary. Please contact Jocelyn Leising if you would like to register.

Amanda Beals.......................................... 1 year Khristopher Decker.............................. 1 year Sean Foster................................................ 1 year Alexis Pena................................................ 1 year Jeffrey Caliano........................................ 1 year Matthew Faltisco.................................... 1 year

Upcoming Dates

Conor Sweeney....................................... 2 years

- - - -

March 20 | 10 - 11 a.m.

June 16 | 10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

September 3 | 2 - 3 p.m.

December 10 | 2 - 3 p.m.

ZamZam Noor.......................................... 2 years

Manager's Training Program Did you know that your manager has been enrolled in a training program created specifically to help them improve their skillset? The Manager Training Program (MTP) provides all company leaders with tools and resources to help increase their overall performance. Be sure to high five your manager for taking time to participate in this program! Evergreen Health employees are our greatest asset and we are committed in helping you succeed! Managers: don’t forget to check out the Manager’s Corner on the Intranet for additional tools and resources. Kudos to the managers who have completed the MTP this month: Amanda LaFleur, Marielena Camacho, Corrin LaVigne, Theresa Shankland and Brittany Hesson. Great job!

Employee Resource Groups Lean In is a group for employees who identify as female to talk about their professional experiences and to empower one another. This is an educational group for sharing ideas, experiences and a place to set professional goals. The Lean In group meets on the third Thursday of every month from 2 - 3 p.m. in the 5th Floor Boardroom.

The Fun Collective is an employee resource group created to bring the Evergreen Spirit! FunC plans and hosts events for Evergreen Health employees throughout the year. The next meeting will be on March 11 from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. in the Commons Sanctuary. If you have any questions or are interested in joining please feel free to reach out to Jocelyn Leising.

Arica Rouse............................................... 2 years Emmanuel Hudson................................ 2 years Teresa Lee.................................................. 2 years Mimi Danso............................................... 2 years Charles Smith........................................... 3 years Indoallana Quinones........................... 4 years Renee VanAernam................................ 4 years Abby Depczynski.................................. 4 years Dana McHale............................................ 4 years Steven Jagord........................................... 4 years James DeGarmo...................................... 7 years Justin Azzarella...................................... 8 years Kelly Craig................................................. 10 years Angela Palmer......................................... 19 years

March 25 - Statler City

A Alex McGann

A Helene Cacciato

A

A Arica Rouse

A Ingrid Burgos

A

A Ashleigh Worthy

A Jasmine Padilla

A

A Carly Casali

A Jeffrey Caliano

A

A Cathleen Niedermayer

A Johanna Aponte

A

A Collin Ranney

A Johnelle Ferby

A

A Dennis McKnight

A Kadie Desbordes

A

A Ebony Burroughs

A Kaitlyn Gately

A

A Elise Robinson

A Kayleen Coleman

A

A Erin Fleckenstein

A Kristy Mangel

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A Felissha Humphries

A LaTanya Walton Brown

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A Gerrod Bennett

A Marcia Derby

Recognizing Excellent Work at Evergreen Between January 20

A Marina Ward

A Marlyn Moore

A Megan Bhatti

A Michael Canty

A Nakeie Carpenter

A Ricardo Quiros

A Sandra Aviles

A Shaina Beck

A Vanessa Santos

A Ventenese Palmer

A Xavier Washington

Publisher/Layout 1.

Dial extension 2222.

2. Follow the prompt to record the Code Blue or Mr. Webber and say the exact location and building of the incident.

3. Hang up your phone. This will prompt your message to be broadcast to all Evergreen locations.

4. The Code Blue team and Security will respond to the incident.

and February 19

You'll have 30 seconds to record your message. If you're not done in 30 seconds, you'll be cut off and your message will be automatically broadcast. It's imperative that you say the location and building in your message: “Code Blue in the men’s lobby bathroom in the Elmwood building” or “Could Mr. Webber please come to the Mathews building counselor room?.” The Code Blue/ Mr. Webber Softkey has been removed from all phones.

John Carocci

Copy Editor Melissa Meyer

Contributors Jocelyn Leising Meghan Canfield Shakiya Bell Arica Rouse Marcia Derby Heather Wilson 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.

Top: Connections may have screwed up the February birthdays but the folks in the Southern Tier celebrated anyway. Bottom: this great photo of Evergreen in action appeared in Business First along with the story of Ekua Mends-Aidoo winning an IDEA Award (see last month's issue of Connections for more).

Top row, left to right: the FunC crew delivered flowers and smiles to agency staff on Valentines Day. Jocelyn Leising and Mike Blasdell take an impromtu tango break. Jocelyn, Mike, Joe Pignatora and Mimi Danso strike a pose with the flowers. Lauren Voelkle delivers a pretty red carnation to Heather Wilson. Bottom row, left to right: Emma Fabian shared this great photo of the Harm Reduction Center's Drug User Health Coalition on one of their trips to Albany to talk about HIV, HCV and overdose issues. Latonia Lewis shows off the bounty at the Bailey Avenue food pantry, which provides a much-needed helping hand to the community. Watch for more on the Bailey Avenue food pantry in the agency blog.