July 2021 Connections

MOCHA

Buffalo was founded in 1996 as the Men of Color Health Awareness Project. Although the organization

has changed and evolved over the years, its core mission has remained constant: to educate LGBTQ+ people of color about living sex-positive lives. MOCHA officially became part of the Evergreen Health Center for Supportive Services in May. MOCHA's new Program Manager, DeJuan Burnell, is ready to help guide MOCHA into its next chapter.

DeJuan has been with Evergreen since August of 2017. "My background was in HIV

prevention services," said DeJuan. "When I came to Evergreen, I started out as a Community Health Worker and after 6 months I became a Health Educator."

In his new role, DeJuan will manage staff as well as oversee grants and testing services.

He'll also make sure MOCHA's day-to-day operations run smoothly. These operations include providing a safe space for the LGBTQ+ POC community to network, socialize and gain access to sexual health care. MOCHA will also provide HIV, STI and hepatitis C testing and education, as well as support groups designed by and for LGBTQ+ POC.

DeJuan is up to the task, and eager to begin. "Building community and offering a variety of

services to communities of color is very important to me," he said. "The day-to-day challenges vary, but my most important challenge is within myself, to always put my best foot forward to make sure my needs and those of others are being met."

The challenges of this work are more than outweighed by the benefits. "Working in a

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We, at Evergreen, don't give less than our best!

- DeJuan Burnell

friendly, caring environment brings joy to my soul," said DeJuan. "I know that we, at Evergreen, don't give less than our best!"

DeJuan has a great deal of experience working with youth and he knows this community.

"I'm the senior advisor to the Crusaders Marching Unit of WNY drill team," he said. "I'm from Buffalo and I grew up in the inner city." He attended Buffalo Traditional High School and earned degrees from Bryant and Stratton and Buffalo State College. "I'm self-motivated and a gogetter. I always present myself in a friendly manner and do what I can to help people."

The youngest of six, DeJuan has three brothers and two sisters. "I also have a fur baby, St.

Clair, who is a standard poodle." His hobbies include interior decorating, shopping, singing and dancing, traveling and being a home-body. He also enjoys living his philosophy, "Life is what you make of it. Through ups and downs, remember your worth and your presence can never go unnoticed. Making yourself and others happy is something no amount of money can buy!"

Editor's Note: Watch for more information about MOCHA in upcoming issues of Connections.

Buffalo Pride Week was virtual again in 2021, but that didn't stop the Western New York community from celebrating. From the flag raising ceremony at City Hall to area homes and businesses lighting up for Pride, there were rainbow colors anywhere you looked. This issue of Connections features photos from the flag raising, Rainbow Day at Evergreen and the first-ever Jamestown Pride.

THE

Corporate Compliance and Information Systems teams both play vital roles regarding ePHI, HIPAA, mitigating risk and responding to ePHI Breach incidents. However, the teams have different responsibilities when it

comes to HIPAA Compliance. The Corporate Compliance team is led by Corporate Compliance Officer Bill Dimmig; Kim Harding, Director of Corporate Records and Policy; and Chris Mihalitsas, Corporate Compliance Specialist. The Corporate Compliance Team focuses on HIPAA’s Privacy Rule.

The Information Systems team, made up of Alan Jacyszyn, Director of IT and the Clinical Systems

team led by CIO and HIPAA Security Officer Kevin Bidtah, focus on HIPAA’s Security Rule. Corporate Compliance and The Information Systems teams collaborate to ensure any ePHI breaches are reported and responded to appropriately while involving the right team members.

Recently, the Information Governance & Security Committee (IGS) with Compliance and IS team’s

input, revised the HIPPA ePHI Breach Incident Reporting process and updated policy:

"All incidents, threats or violations that affect, or may affect, the confidentiality, integrity or availability

of ePHI (all protected individually identifiable health information that is produced, maintained, saved, transferred or received in an electronic form) must be reported and responded to."

I had the opportunity to chat with Chris about the updated process for HIPAA ePHI Breach Incident

Reporting. I asked Chris for some examples of incidents that should be reported:

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ePHI data loss due to disaster, failure, error or theft

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Loss of any electronic media that contains ePHI

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Loss of the integrity of ePHI

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Virus, worm or other malicious code attacks

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Persistent network or system intrusion attempts from a particular entity

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Unauthorized access to ePHI or an ePHI-based system or network

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Facility incidents, including but not limited to:

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Unauthorized person found to have gained access to an office or off-limits area

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Facility break-in

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Lost or stolen key, badge or cardkey

You can report a breach several different ways:

1. By completing a Helpdesk ticket: (03) Incident Reports/Compliance Breaches

2. Contact IT by calling the Helpdesk at x4444

3. Contact anyone on the Corporate Compliance Team by emailing, calling or in person; the team is located at the Mathews Building

4. Anonymously report the incident through the Corporate Compliance Helpline at 716.541.0663 (the hotline utilizes an answering service that takes the message and provides a transcript of the message so your voice is kept confidential)

Note: The above process is specific to ePHI incidents/breaches. All other Corporate Compliance incidents should be reported directly to Corporate Compliance.

- by Julie Vaughan

For Compliance Questions or to Report a Breach Call

716.541.0663

Amy is Evergreen's resident "foster fail." Program Support Specialist, Megan Bingham explains, "Last August, I decided to foster a dog. We formed a bond instantly. Amy is lovely and extremely smart, so of course I had to adopt her." Amy's calm, sweet demeanor led Megan to think she'd be great as a service dog. "She's trained to provide deep pressure therapy and give medication reminders.

Amy absolutely loves coming to Evergreen. She receives lots of attention from staff members, lots of treats and she always puts a smile on our patients' faces." And, she's got great fashion sense.

Welcome to Evergreen, Amy!

If you have any questions about COVID-19, please send an email to COVID19questions@evergreenhs.org.

Mark your calendar! The submission

For questions about Evergreen’s COVID-19 vaccination program, you can email COVID19vaccinequestions @evergreenhs.org. Or, visit ADP or

deadline for the August 2021 issue of Connections is Wednesday, July 14. Be sure to get your content in before the deadline to guarantee placement. Kids, pets, recipes, your new home office we want to share them all! Send to

evergreenhs.org for more information.

EvergreenConnections via Outlook.

Community Access Services and Evergreen's Communities of Color Resource Group teamed up to mark Juneteenth in style. There was outreach, gift bags, great music, a food truck and literal dancing in the street. Kudos to everyone who helped make this special event such a success.

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Birthdays Jesse Gasbarro.......................................... July 1 Jovino Morales.......................................... July 1 Brittany Loops.......................................... July 1 Urayoan Torres-Casillas........................ July 1 Gerrod Bennett......................................... July 2 Nakia Fears.................................................. July 3 Crystal Pereira-Finley............................ July 4 Meghan Canfield...................................... July 4 Seanna Pratt............................................... July 7 Amy McKibben......................................... July 7 Alicia Williams............................................ July 7 Corrin LaVigne.......................................... July 8 Jeffrey Heras.............................................. July 8 Romona Sands.......................................... July 8 Jaclyn Gynan.............................................. July 10 Katherine Mego........................................ July 11 Joelle Toal.................................................... July 12 Kaitlyn Hamm............................................ July 12 Mel LeMay.................................................... July 13 Christina Sheppard................................. July 13 Ray Ganoe................................................... July 14 Joseph Sieracki......................................... July 15 Renee Posey............................................... July 15 Ian Schunk................................................... July 16 Kirk Scirto.................................................... July 16 Laurie Abbatessa..................................... July 17 Thomas Foels............................................. July 18 Keisha Leavy.............................................. July 19 Heather Wilson......................................... July 21 Rebekah Bongiorno............................... July 22 Aanya Wood............................................... July 24 Heather Fangsrud.................................... July 25 Linda Colburn............................................ July 27 Chris DeVoe................................................ July 27 Addison Laczkowski.............................. July 28 Cecil Sutton................................................. July 29 Shaina Beck................................................ July 30 Nicole Callahan......................................... July 31

Anniversaries

Annual Training Time!

The first round of annual trainings will be available on Evergreen University on July 12, 2021. These trainings will take about 2 hours to complete, so please make sure you have enough time between now and September 30, 2021 to finish them. All Evergreen Health,

Margaret Anderson................................ 1 year Zachary Rombough............................... 1 year Claire Buscemi........................................... 1 year Jeffrey Heras.............................................. 2 years Melanie Deyoe........................................... 2 years Nakeie Carpenter..................................... 2 years Stephanie Simmons................................ 2 years Farieda Yafai............................................... 2 years

Community Access Services, Pride Center of WNY and Evergreen

Alyssa Shon................................................. 3 years

Foundation employees are required to complete these trainings. If

Tamarie Novo............................................. 3 years

you have any questions, contact Jocelyn Leising.

Tiffani Williams.......................................... 3 years

Manager Training The Manager Training Program was created in 2018 to support CAS, the Pride Center and Evergreen leadership in their roles. Six

Rebecca Clark............................................ 3 years Suzanne Lambie....................................... 3 years Amanda Thornton................................... 4 years James Gerwitz........................................... 4 years Melissa Gulino............................................ 5 years Brittany Price............................................. 5 years Nakia Fears.................................................. 5 years

employees have completed the Manager Training Program so far in

Brianna Cabrera....................................... 5 years

2021. Please join me in congratulating:

Annette Pabon.......................................... 5 years Harry Berkoh-Asamoah....................... 6 years

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Rob Baird

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Kim Lombard

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Gerrod Bennett

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Liz Whipple

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Byron McKinney

Becky Siuta................................................. 7 years

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Amanda Honan

Steven Rein................................................. 7 years

This program is required for all employees in leadership positions across the agency. If you are interested in learning more about this program, please contact Jocelyn Leising.

Melissa Delgado....................................... 6 years Emma Fabian............................................. 6 years Bianca Morris............................................. 7 years Renee Hartson........................................... 7 years

Marlyn Moore............................................. 7 years Stephani Miranda..................................... 8 years Christina Turner........................................ 9 years Patrick Hildenbrandt.............................. 10 years Tara Monaco............................................... 11 years Dale Kingston............................................. 15 years Norma Bocanegra................................... 16 years

Jamestown's first-ever Pride celebration was a hit! There was a full slate of activities featuring something for everyone. Evergreen was a major sponsor of the day-long event and several staff members were involved in the planning process.

In addition, both Evergreen and the Pride Center had tents with information and giveaways for attendees. Special thanks to Marcia Derby for sharing her wonderful photos.

We think making the most of your health care plan should be easy.

And what's more convenient than managing everything from the comfort of home or on the go? When you sign up for an online member account with Univera Healthcare, you get instant access to a variety of tools and other resources to make living healthy a little easier.

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Aanya Wood

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Emma Hathaway

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Abby Depczynski

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Grant Rogers

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Adria Reed

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Harold Colburn

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Alex McGann

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Jeff Heras

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Alexis Pena

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Jessica Ziemba Malav

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Amanda Thornton

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Jessie Dorman

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Amina Shaibi

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Jillian Dagastino

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Amy Usiak

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Jillian Fanning

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Andrew Kiener

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Jocelyn Leising

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Collin Ranney

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Jonathan Puma

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Dale Kingston

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Jordon Frank

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David Setlock

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Kaley Murphy

Recognizing Excellent Work at Evergreen from M

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Katie Mego

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Kayleen Coleman

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Kaytlan Locicero

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Kyle Berberich

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Marlyn Moore

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Megan Fagyas

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Nakeie Carpenter

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Nancy Colon

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Norma Bocanegra

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Paula Brudo-Jurek

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Sharon Yager

May 20 - June 19

1.

Dial extension 2222.

Publisher/Layout

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

John Carocci

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

Contributors

Copy Editor Melissa Meyer

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

Jocelyn Leising Shakiya Bell Julie Vaughan Marcia Derby

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.

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.

Clockwise from top left: Ray Ganoe, Jason Rein and son Caden at Juneteenth; Christine Marrano smiles for the camera while baby Rocky shoots some side-eye; the Evergreen COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic crew caught between dances; Chris and Rebecca DeVoe rocking their custom tshirts at Pride in the Park in Hamburg; Jessica Glaser, Healthcare Performance Measures Analyst in the IS department, was ordained as a deacon in the United Methodist Church at a ceremony on June 19. Jessica said, "The UMC denomination is expected to split in the next year or two, but I remain committed to serving underserved populations and supporting social justice in the Western New York area, as well as advocating for full inclusion of GLBTQ+ people in the life of the church."

Congratulations, Jessica!

Left: Alicia Kohlhagen shared this snapshot of the Mental Health team's outing to the Botanical Gardens. Above right: Yolanda Sims wrote, "Thank you Evergreen for thinking of us and showing your appreciation to us with these special gifts!" Below right: Kudos to Maria Cruz, who was featured as an agent of change on a community mural in the Five Points neighborhood. For more about the mural visit the website at www.tornspacetheater.com/ home/agentsofchangesite.