LAURA
Pasquarella has been using art and creativity to improve the lives of our patients for a long time. "My experience - as an art therapist and with Evergreen - goes back more years than I’m willing to admit out loud," she said. After graduating from Buffalo State College (now SUNY Buffalo State University) with a master’s degree, Laura began her career as a registered art therapist. "I had a number of opportunities to volunteer with AIDS Community Services (Evergreen) doing art therapy groups, as well as hosting dinner parties for Cause for Celebration (the agency's annual gala fundraiser). I've worked as an art therapist in a variety of settings including general psychiatry, addictions medicine, and geriatrics. I worked primarily in inpatient settings but also in a couple of day programs not unlike the THRIVE Wellness center."
What exactly is art therapy? "Art therapy uses the creative process to improve and enhance the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. It's based on the belief that the creative process involved in artistic self–expression helps people resolve conflicts and problems, develop interpersonal skills, manage behavior, reduce stress, increase self-esteem and self-awareness, and achieve insight. Art therapy integrates the fields of human development, visual art, and the creative process with models of counseling and psychotherapy."
On a typical work day, Laura conducts art therapy groups for patients enrolled in the THRIVE Wellness program. These groups can focus on art, guided imagery, or mindfulness/meditative experience. There's even a crochet group! "Recently I've been doing art therapy groups in the Drop-In Center and guided imagery with the outreach staff for HIV/hep C testing and education."
It can be difficult to measure the impact these groups have on the health of our patients, but Laura sees their positive effects every day. "The creative process often reflects a patient’s inner world. This allows them to be a bit more objective when identifying and exploring issues that may be difficult or painful to discuss. For example, I worked with a patient who was able to get back involved in his own artistic pursuits. Over a period of time, the images he created in group
WHEN I SHOWED ONE OF THE ARTISTS WHERE THEIR PAINTING WAS HANGING, SHE STATED, "YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE I MATTER." WE BOTH CRIED.
- LAURA PASQUARELLA
paralleled the conflicts he was experiencing in his life. This allowed him to view these more objectively and make changes that had a positive outcome. Today he is living healthy lifestyle, creating and showing his own artwork and is employed."
Laura gets a great deal of satisfaction from seeing the impact art therapy has on the lives of our patients. "On a personal level, it's always good to see when someone’s perspective has changed or insight has been gained when processing their artwork." You may have noticed patient artwork hung on the walls throughout 206 S. Elmwood. "When I showed one of the artists where their painting was hanging, she stated, 'You make me feel like I matter'. We both cried."
One of Laura's biggest challenges is convincing patients that everyone has the capacity to express themselves creatively, regardless of their experience or skill level. "It doesn’t require that you be an artist."
As a long-time employee, and a volunteer before that, Laura has seen many changes at the organization. "Evergreen has maintained its core values regardless of expansion. The agency has consistently demonstrated their appreciation for the staff and the varied skills they bring with them. When I started here as the director of health services, in 2007, we had four exam rooms. All Evergreen staff meetings (you know, like the Huddle) fit in the space that is now the food pantry."
Laura came up in a large family. "Seven kids and we were 'Air Force brats', traveling to various places whenever my dad got transferred. It seems like everyone was born someplace different. I
was born in Alabama and one of my brothers was born in the Azores. We got to see quite a bit of the country, but we finally settled down after my dad retired from the service and I spent my teenage years in Suffolk County on Long Island. I came to Buffalo to finish my undergrad in art education and basically haven’t left."
Outside of work hours Laura enjoys spending down time with her "feline beasties" and watching any British murder mysteries. "I love BritBox," she said. Currently I’m watching 'Vera'. And I always have my easel set up so I can start a drawing whenever the mood strikes me."
Laura, thank you for everything you do to to make the lives of our patients better (and more artistic)!
DATA
Learning Pathways (DLPs) are an initiative to expand data engagement and literacy across the organization. They have been tailored through employee feedback from the Data Engagement Survey in 2023 for different roles throughout Evergreen, to increase data engagement throughout the organization. DLPs have been created to strengthen vital data-related skills within each role and are open to all who are interested in expanding their data knowledge and skills.
We now have DLPs available through Evergreen University, including Data Foundations, Data Problem Solver, Data Investigator, Data Reporter, and Data Designer. To learn more about DLPs, head to the Training folder on Blink’s Hub!
To sign up for these DLPs please contact:
Heather Wilson, business analyst, with questions about content evergreentraining&development@evergreenhs.org to enroll
In 2025, look out for...
Data Leadership Pathway for people who are data-based decisionmakers and need to be able to trust and interpret the data they are using to forge paths and develop policy.
Data Communicator for skills needed to effectively use data to support data-informed presentations and meetings or other less traditional situations you may need to present data to others.
And more opportunities to give feedback for future data support and engagement development!
The following employees finished a DLP in 2024:
A Mustafa Abucar
A Brad Allen
A Andy Anderson
A Ashtin Ashbrook
A Deiona Baldwin
A Christian Bryant
A Nicole Callahan
A Nicole Coonly
A Nicole Dommer
A Melinda Felix
A Helen Graves
A Andrew Kiener
A Glendalisse Lopez
A Christina Mihalitsas
A Meghan Murphy
A Jasmine Padilla
A Eric Poniatowski
A Collin Ranney
A Stephanie Simmons
A Samantha Stroh
A Lil'Kizzy Tell
A Mehida Torres
A Daniele Verzelloni
A Brittney Warham
Another Evergreen Huddle is in the books. Special thanks to Marcia Derby for the great photos of the Jamestown crew!
Above right: Evergreen once again sponsored ice skating at Rotary Rink for the 2024-2025 winter season. There was even a special "Sweetheart Skate" on Valentine's Day, complete with plenty of goodies for skaters. Below: Evergreen's brand new YouPLUS program held an open house at the THRIVE Wellness Center. Patients enjoyed refreshments and learned about what YouPLUS has to offer.
Publisher/Layout
John Carocci
Copy Editors
Jean Conway
Emily McGorry
Kristy Mangel
Maggie Carrig
Contributors
Eric Poniatowski
Christopher Cline
Marcia Derby
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.
Loud+Clear is all about ways to get more out of our phone system in order to improve communication and provide better customer service to patients. This month, AVP of Quality Andy Kiener explains what prompts are, why they're useful, and how you can use them effectively.
What we call prompts are really the Interactive Voice Response system (IVR). The IVR is an automated feature that interacts with callers and gathers information by offering menu options. The IVR performs actions based on the options callers select using their telephone keypad. While callers have the option of speaking to a live operator by staying on the line or pressing zero (during business hours), prompts can help callers reach their destination independently, sometimes quicker than with an operator's assistance. They're also available 24/7. You can direct your patients to use the IVR when they call, for faster navigation. For example, if you're in Primary & Specialty Care and would like a patient to call back later to speak to you, tell them, “You can call 716-847-2441 and when you hear the recording simply press 5 and then 3 and you'll reach our front desk area directly.” It’s as simple as that!
CURRENT PHONE PROMPTS
#2 Pharmacy
#3 Mental Health, Substance Use
or the Harm Reduction Center
#1 Harm Reduction Center
#2 Mental Health or Substance Use
#4 Care Coordination
#5 Primary & Specialty Care
#1 Schedule an Appointment
#2 Speak to a Receptionist
#3 Sick and want to speak to a Nurse
#4 Hospital or Provider Calling
#6 Housing and YouPLUS
#7 Billing Questions or the
Financial Counseling Center
#8 Medical Records
Don Hill
Orlando Munoz
Rebecca Piazza
Melinda Kingsbury
Richard Ridenour
La Shon Webb
Jacquelyn Dixon
Dominique Jones
Joshua Essex
Sarita Stokes
David Pimental
Harold Colburn
Marta Moore
Nakeie Carpenter
Veronica Velazquez
Theresa Shankland
Dana Lux
Heather Munro
Jasmine Padilla
Elliot Hill
Joseph Ryan
Elizabeth Pijanowski
Lynn Hauser
Susan Vanderwerf
Mindi Levine
Jessica Ziemba Malave
Melissa Rothenbueger
Stephen Gabor.
Kaitlyn Gately
Akilah Broadwater
Sylvia Denk
Claud Reinacher
Kelli Simpson
Tatianna Cooper
Kate Gallivan
Leslie Fineberg
Shayleen Taylor
Elizabeth Gattman
Johanna Aponte
Brittany Price
Lydia Gonzalez
Duane Loyd Jr
Kim Brown
Tiffany Collins
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Opioid Overdose Response/ Narcan Training
Friday, March 14 from 11am - 12pm ( This is a virtual training)
Eligible for 1 CEU for licensed social workers, licensed mental health counselors, and CASACs. Contact evergreentraining&development@ evergreenhs.org to register.
Prevalent Drugs in WNY
Tuesday, March 18 from 10am - 11:15am ( This is a virtual training)
Eligible for 1 CEU for licensed social workers, licensed mental health counselors, and CASACs Contact evergreentraining&development@ evergreenhs.org to register.
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 evergreentraining &development@ evergreenhs.org with questions.
Wednesday, April 9 from 9:30–10AM (virtual)
Friday, April 11 from 11–11:30AM (in person)
Evergreen Commons Sanctuary, 67 Prospect Avenue
Sign up in Evergreen University HERE .
Kayla Deth, Clinical Outreach Specialist at Hospice & Palliative Care Buffalo, will give an overview of services. This will be a relaxed, informational session beginning with insight into both the Palliative and Hospice programs, and the differences between the two. Then, case studies will be shared to explain how your patients with terminal/chronic illnesses may benefit from services.
For information, visit https://www.hospicebuffalo.com/
Friday, April 25 from 1–4PM
Evergreen Commons Sanctuary
67 Prospect Avenue
Sign up by April 4
If your certification will expire before June 30, 2025, sign up for this class. 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. NEW: staff will have the opportunity to learn alongside our patients. We will reserve a few spaces for patients enrolled in THRIVE Wellness to participate!
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 cost code to bill for CPR/AED.
RAYMOND STOVER
CAS is dedicated to fostering an environment that acknowledges hard work. Each quarter, a CAS employee who exhibits 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 Raymond Stover.
Raymond Stover joined Community Access Services as a program assistant and was quickly promoted to the position of health educator. Raymond conducts rapid HIV testing through the MCoC grant. He also recruits clients for other interventions at CAS. Raymond has been with CAS for a year and a half and has let his creativity shine while meeting the needs of the community. For example, he started CAS on the Streets, where films at different locations educating the community about sexual health. A short quiz is completed during each session, and participants are eligible for prizes. You can view his skits on the CAS Facebook page. Raymond was chosen as the CAS champion due to his hard work, teamwork and dedication to meeting the needs of his clients as well as the community. He is dependable and is always thinking outside the box to meet his monthly projections or to keep the community engaged.
- Kandice Hood, senior director of community & outreach services
