AT
Evergreen Health, we rely on patient feedback to understand what we’re doing well and where we can continue to grow. Across the organization, programs receive steady input
through surveys, outreach, and comment cards. The ADAP/HIEP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program/ Health Insurance Enrollment Program) team is one of those programs that generates the most patient feedback. The volume alone is impressive, but what stands out even more is the remarkable consistency of praise, gratitude, and trust that patients express for this team. 2025's ADAP/HIEP patient experience data paints a clear picture: the program is not only meeting patient needs, it is exceeding them by extraordinary margins. Many respondents (more than 60%) have been Evergreen patients for over four years, and their long-term engagement speaks to the unwavering support they’ve found in the ADAP/HIEP staff. Most patients first learn about the program through their doctor’s office or clinic team, reinforcing how seamlessly ADAP/HIEP is woven into the broader care network at Evergreen. When asked, “How well did our services meet your needs?” l
92% answered “Extremely well.”
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The remaining 8% answered “Very well.”
This means 100% of patients reported that the program met their needs positively, a rare and remarkable outcome! Satisfaction results were also outstanding: l
95% of respondents were “Very satisfied”
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Only 5% selected anything other than “Very satisfied,” with no notable negative trends
These numbers speak to both the technical skill and the human compassion that define ADAP/ HIEP’s daily work. The staff descriptors selected by patients were equally telling. Words like reliable, respectful, helpful, high-quality, and professional appeared again and again. Many respondents selected long
,,
Behind these numbers are real patient experiences. - Collin Ranney, patient experience manager
lists of positive descriptors, painting a picture of a team that is experienced, trustworthy, patientcentered, and truly accessible. Behind these numbers are real patient experiences, many of which were shared in heartfelt comments. Patients wrote about staff who ensured they never felt alone in navigating complex coverage needs. They praised the team members, enrollment specialist Barbara Maurent and program enrollment coordinator Robert Smith, for their patience, compassion, and unwavering dedication. Several patients credited the program with helping them maintain or regain access to life-saving healthcare. Others described the support they received during some of the most stressful times of their lives. Comments like, “This program is a blessing,” “They have saved my life,” and “I always feel supported and understood,” appeared frequently, illustrating the human impact behind the data. As we recognize another year of exceptional performance, we want to extend a heartfelt thankyou to the ADAP/HIEP staff. Your work transforms frustration into relief, confusion into clarity, and vulnerability into empowerment. Patients feel it. The data reflects it. And Evergreen Health is stronger because of it. Here’s to another year of extraordinary impact, and to the team that continues to set the standard for patient-centered service at Evergreen.
- Collin Ranney
We hope you enjoyed Huddle 2026! Here are more photos from Evergreen's special day, including some that YOU took and submitted through the Lense app. And don't forget, you can watch the presentation on Blink HERE.
BRITTNEY
McDONALD-ALLEN The Community Access Services Champion Award is about initiative, collaboration, and the kind of leadership that elevates everyone around us. This quarter’s recipient exemplifies all of that and more. Brittney McDonald-Allen was chosen because of her dedication to collaboration. As a linkage specialist at CAS, Brittney consistently faces the challenge of connecting our clients to the appropriate levels of care while working in correctional facilities and with the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. She has continued to create new community partnerships for services and supports for the clients we serve. She knows our best results come from working together and actively fosters that spirit every day. Brittney is quick to offer support, remains open to feedback, and is generous in sharing knowledge and expertise. Her positive, team-first mindset strengthens project outcomes as well as the culture of our department. What truly sets Brittney apart, is her willingness to step up to the plate. She has built strong partnerships cross-departmentally ensuring alignment and she receives feedback on her professionalism and willingness to assist - which is invaluable to the communities that we serve. Congratulations Brittney! - submitted by Dabrielle Wright, program director of corrections health initiative
Scott Kiener.................................................. March 1 Don Hill........................................................... March 1 Orlando Munoz............................................. March 3 Rebecca Piazza............................................ March 4 Melinda Kingsbury....................................... March 6 Jacquelyn Dixon........................................... March 6 Krystal Jeffries............................................. March 7 Joshua Essex............................................... March 8 Christine Wittmeyer..................................... March 9 Shannon Gregory......................................... March 9 Nakeie Carpenter......................................... March 10 David Pimental............................................. March 10 Harold Colburn............................................. March 10 Veronica Velazquez..................................... March 11 Theresa Shankland...................................... March 12 Dana Lux........................................................ March 12 Carrie Frayne................................................. March 13 Heather Munro............................................. March 14 Jasmine Padilla............................................ March 15 Elliot Hill......................................................... March 16 Susan Vanderwerf....................................... March 17 Ela Pijanowski............................................... March 17 Lynn Hauser.................................................. March 17 Mindi Levine.................................................. March 18 Jessica Ziemba Malave.............................. March 18 Lenora Foote Beavers.................................. March 19 Brandon Battaglia........................................ March 19 Melissa Rothenbueger................................ March 20 Stephen Gabor.............................................. March 20 Kaitlyn Gately................................................ March 20 Akilah Broadwater........................................ March 21 Sylvia Denk.................................................... March 21 Kelli Simpson................................................ March 21 Tatianna Cooper........................................... March 22 Kate Gallivan................................................. March 22 Leslie Fineberg............................................. March 22 Shayleen Taylor............................................ March 22 Elizabeth Gattman....................................... March 23 Johanna Aponte........................................... March 26 Brittany Price................................................ March 26 Lydia Gonzalez............................................. March 28 Duane Loyd Jr............................................... March 28 Rabe Ya.......................................................... March 29 Kimberly Brown............................................ March 31 Tiffany Collins............................................... March 31 Emily Mogavero............................................ March 31
Common Drugs Used in WNY Eligible for 1 CEU for licensed social workers, licensed mental health counselors, and CASACs. Instructor: Zachary Rombough, Harm Reduction Technician Tuesday, March 24 from 10 – 11:15am (virtual) Enroll HERE.
Basic Life Support CPR/AED Class Friday, April 17 from 1 – 4pm or Tuesday, June 23 from 1 – 4pm Evergreen Commons Sanctuary 67 Prospect Avenue, Buffalo, 14201 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. Get supervisor approval and department cost code to bill for $49 CPR/AED fee. 2. Sign up on Evergreen University. 3. Email evergreentraining&development@evergreenhs.org the department cost code to bill for CPR/AED. For staff that do not have a Downtown Buffalo parking lot assignment, if you would like one for the day of the CPR / AED class, please contact Mark Wolf (mwolf@evergreenhs. org) at least one week before the class with your license plate number.
ADP Retirement Portal Overview Wednesday, March 25 from 11:30am – 12pm (virtual) ADP will share a step-by-step overview on how to navigate your retirement account platform. Topics will include how to review account balances, track contributions and investments, update personal information, and access key tools and resources. Click HERE to register for group session.
Retirement/Financial Planning Wednesday, March 25 (virtual) Fifteen minute one on one Zoom meetings will be available with a Lawley advisor to discuss your retirement plan between 12 – 5pm. Click HERE to register for individual sessions.
Justa Moon................................................... 1 Year Aqelah Douglas............................................ 1 Year Lenora Foote Beavers.................................. 1 Year Greshen Martinez De Jesus....................... 1 Year Michael Godzala III....................................... 2 Years Michelle Milasinovic-Bayerl....................... 2 Years Neil Bhattarai................................................ 2 Years Connor Pace................................................. 2 Years Erin Carmina................................................. 2 Years Keith Mleczko............................................... 2 Years Amber Doran................................................. 2 Years Amberlee Libertone..................................... 3 Years Derek Argo..................................................... 3 Years David Capretto.............................................. 3 Years Rebecca Piazza............................................ 3 Years Dawn Burkett................................................ 3 Years Brooke Zybczynski....................................... 3 Years Reginald Washington.................................. 4 Years Rosalind Sulaiman....................................... 4 Years Steven Bennett............................................. 4 Years Ellann Ford.................................................... 4 Years Nicole Jones................................................. 5 Years Jessica Baker............................................... 5 Years Elizabeth Nelson.......................................... 5 Years Chelest Ponzo............................................... 5 Years Amina Shaibi................................................. 5 Years Adriane Argo................................................. 6 Years Matthew Faltisco......................................... 7 Years Teresa Lee..................................................... 8 Years Steven Jagord.............................................. 10 Years Alex Marranca.............................................. 10 Years Renee VanAernam....................................... 10 Years James DeGarmo.......................................... 13 Years Justin Azzarella............................................ 14 Years Kelly Craig...................................................... 16 Years
Culture Conversations The Center for Health Equity is hosting Culture Conversations open to all staff now through May! These sessions serve as an opportunity to listen, learn and help us continuously strengthen and enhance our culture. Organizational culture helps shape our behaviors, drives performance and influences how we all experience working here at Evergreen and CAS. While our BHAG, Core Values and Expected Behaviors are defined, it is essential that they come to life in daily actions. Therefore, these Culture Conversations are a way to strengthen and enhance our culture together! So, please join us by signing up for one of the sessions listed below and use your voice to contribute to our organizational success! · March 12 from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. via Teams · March 17 from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. at 800 Hertel · April 15 from 2:30 – 3:30 at the Commons 3rd Floor Conf. Room · April 16 from 12 – 1 p.m. via Teams · April 22 from 10 - 11 a.m. at Bailey Ave. Conf. Room #8 · May 7 from 10 – 11 a.m. at the Commons 3rd Floor Conf. Room · May 12 from 12 – 1 p.m. at Prather Ave. Conf. Room #305 · May 20 from 1 – 2 p.m. at 206 S. Elmwood 5th Floor Board Room
Publisher/Layout John Carocci
Copy Editors Jean Conway Emily McGorry Kristy Mangel Maggie Carrig
Contributors Eric Poniatowski Collin Ranney Adiah Powell Connections is the official monthly newsletter for employees and board members of Evergreen Health and Community Access Services. You can submit photos, comments or a "hello" via Outlook at Evergreen Connections.
Orientation for new hires at Evergreen and CAS is truly a team effort! The orientation team gathered for lunch and conversation in November.