Archive for year: 2020
Northwell Health celebrates Lunar New Year and welcomes the Year of the Rat
Written by: Bridges Asian BERG Co-Chairs
Lunar New Year Traditions
Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival, is one of the most important traditional festivals in certain Asian cultures such as Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese. It is also a time for families to be together and celebrate a year of hard work and wish for a lucky and prosperous coming year.
Red is the main color for the festival, as it is believed to be a “lucky” color. Red lanterns are also displayed in streets; red couplets are pasted on doors; banks and official buildings are decorated with pictures and writings representing prosperity.
In Chinese culture, New Year’s Eve dinner is called “reunion dinner” and is believed to be the most important meal of the year, where families sit around round tables and enjoy the food and time together. Certain foods are eaten during the New Year’s Eve dinner, because of their symbolic meanings, based on their names or appearances, like fish, sticky rice cake, oranges, dumplings, noodles, as they symbolize abundance, fortune and longevity.
To wish someone Happy New Year in Mandarin, say “xīn nián kuài lè” (新年快乐) and in Cantonese, “Gong Hey Fat Choi” (恭喜发财).
In Korean culture, Lunar New Year is referred to as Seollal or Gujeong. During Seollal, it is customary to visit family to show respect to the elders by taking a deep bow to those senior to them as a form of greeting; this is called sebae. The celebration lasts for three days, starting the day before and ending the day after the Lunar New Year.
Seollal comes bearing many gifts for the family which can vary from money to hangwa (traditional sweets and cookies), shampoo, soap, and toothpaste, or gift sets of meat or fruits. It is also a time for the entire family to gather and play traditional games like yunnori. It is played by throwing four sticks and moving your game markers around the board depending on the number of up-facing sticks. Each team has four markers and the first team to get all four of their markers around the board wins.
During the celebration, a traditional clear soup, called tteokguk is served. It is made with sliced rice cakes, beef, egg, vegetables, and other ingredients. The clear broth is believed to symbolize starting out the year with a clean mind and body.
To wish Happy New Year in Korean, say “sae hae bok manhi bah doo seh yo” (새해 복 많이 받으세요), which means hope you have much good luck in the new year.
Northwell Celebrates Lunar New Year Traditions
On January 25th, for the tenth consecutive year, contingents from Northwell Health, members of the Bridges Asian Business Employee Resource Group (BERG) and Community Relations marched in the Lunar New Year Parade in downtown Flushing, New York. The parade is the highlight of Lunar New Year celebrations in Flushing, including dragon dancers, kettle drummers and fireworks. The march draws a considerable number of spectators each year.
Spanning a total of 15 days, the Lunar New Year is a joyous time of renewal marked by gatherings with family and friends, elaborate feasts, parades, fireworks and gift giving. 2020 is the year of the Year of the Rat (or Mouse) and it marks the return of spring and reunion of family.
Northwell’s Bridges Asian BERG leads, Suki To and Lulu Liu, collaborated with Lenox Hill Hospital’s Human Resources department, Northwell’s Diversity and Health Equity (D&HE) Site Council, and team members from Lenox Hill’s cafeteria to provide a taste of traditional foods served during the Lunar New Year. This included Chinese, Japanese and Korean rice cakes, traditional New Year candies, dry fruits and tea tastings.
Members of the Chinese Association of the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research (CAFI), led by President Dr. Dan Li, and the Feinstein’s Diversity Committee, celebrated the Lunar New Year with a luncheon for members who also sang traditional New Year songs. The Feinstein workforce were invited to share a special New Year cake and learn more about the holiday.
We also hosted a packing event, to prepare giveaways to be distributed during the parade in Flushing. Team members assisted by helping to pack bags and red envelopes filled with a special chocolate gold coin. Red envelopes are usually gifts presented at social and family gatherings such as weddings or holidays. The red color of the envelope symbolizes good luck and is a symbol to ward off evil spirits. The envelopes are usually given to children by the elder of the household.
During the packing event, Northwell Health’s Lunar New Year mascot made a surprise appearance!
Northwell Health and members of its Bridges Asian Business Employee Resource Group (BERG), wish you good health, good luck and an abundance of happiness throughout the year.
Happy Lunar New Year!
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Meet the winners of Northwell’s Rev. Dr. MLK Jr. Regional Spirit Award
Northwell’s Center of Equity of Care awarded its first-ever Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Spirit Awards. This system-wide award recognizes team members who are making a difference in our communities, locally or abroad, through service.
Four winners were chosen from nominations that came in from all around Northwell telling stories of goodwill, humility and compassion. Nominators highlighted how each team member embodies Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “D.R.E.A.M:”
- D – Dedicates time and talent to projects that fulfill the needs of underserved communities
- R – Respects all people and advocates for diversity, inclusion and health equity
- E – Embodies our Northwell values: Truly Compassionate, Truly Innovative, Truly Ambitious, Truly Together and Truly Ourselves
- A – Attitude that displays kindness and compassion for others
- M – Mentors and inspires others to pay it forward
The winners were recognized at a special reception and awarded $1,000 to be donated on their behalf to an organization of their choice!
Meet our 2020 winners:
Josephine Guzman, Senior Director, Physician Relations
Josephine “Josie” Guzman has volunteered her time as a co-chair of the Bridges LatinX BERG and member of the Diversity and Health Equity System-Site Council. She has developed and implemented programs at Lenox Hill Hospital, such as the “Vida SI, Diabetes NO!” (Life YES, Diabetes NO), a bi-lingual, long-term health program designed to address diabetes. In partnership with her BERG co-chair and members, Josie recently coordinated “Rise Against Hunger,” a global service initiative where team members across the organization gathered and packed over 20,000 meals to be served to various communities across the world.
Beyond Northwell, Josie spends her time volunteering, preparing 200+ meals a week to distribute to homeless individuals in Manhattan and coordinating a Christmas event to feed and provide gifts to over 1,500 individuals who are either homeless or living in shelters. She’s also a member of RAIN, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide services for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and physically challenged.
Bernard Robinson, Regional Director, Center for Emergency Services
Bernard Robinson dedicates most of his time with projects that fulfill the needs of underserved communities through charity and education. Every year, Bernard organizes annual food and winter clothing drives within Northwell’s Center for Emergency Services (CEMS) department to serve charities in Nassau County and Queens. During Thanksgiving, the entire CEMS team also partners with a church in Hempstead, NY to prepare and serve meals. His work experience also led him to starting an Explorer’s Post in Hempstead Village that allows students from the Village to train with, learn and be mentored by EMTs and Paramedics. It was also Bernard who presented the idea for Northwell’s Bridges African American/Caribbean Business Employee Resource Group to participate in the African American Heritage Parade in Harlem, NY.
Bernard embodies all of Northwell’s values on a daily basis. Through his innovation, his department’s leadership is able to communicate with their staff of over 800 EMTs and Paramedics through weekly meetings via a livestream platform. He has also established a “virtual suggestion box” which gives each team member a voice by allowing them to give feedback through a link which is then sent directly to leadership. In addition to his community outreach, he has also organized CEMS’ “Bring Your Child to Work Day.”. Bernard often says, “As an EMS agency, we should be a part of the communities we serve.” He works extremely hard at establishing relationships throughout his region and encourages his team members to do the same.
Nicholas Hernandez, MD, Northwell Plainview Hospital, Academic Hospitalist, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Family Medicine, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell
Dr. Hernandez is the true definition of a caring, compassionate and empathetic physician with a genuine passion for helping others. This passion is not limited to patients in the hospital, but extends to communities at large through his volunteering and community service. Though born and raised in New York, he has always maintained a strong connection with his ancestral home of Puerto Rico. After Hurricane Maria struck, Dr. Hernandez was dedicated to becoming a part of the Northwell team deployed to Puerto Rico to assist those devastated by this disaster. He spent two weeks selflessly providing patient care under dire circumstances at the Caguas Hospital in San Pablo, Puerto Rico. Dr. Hernandez participated in the Medical Scholars Pipeline Program sponsored by the Zucker Hofstra School of Medicine for underrepresented students interested in a career in health care. This program is designed to provide exposure to the numerous career paths available in the healthcare industry while enhancing the skills that will set up students for success. Dr. Hernandez was also invited to be the keynote speaker for the closing ceremony for the NERA-HCOP Program, designed to assist college minority students in becoming more competitive applicants for medical school by providing various enrichment courses.
Josie Ruiz, Executive Assistant, North Shore University Hospital Administration
Josie Ruiz has been a vital component to the success of Northwell Health’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. program. In her role as co-chair, she has supported the Center for Equity of Care in coordinating program logistics, managing entertainment and guest speakers, and leading volunteer efforts throughout the program. Josie has been a huge advocate for all team members at North Shore University Hospital. Her annual efforts of organizing Adopt a Family, a holiday program designed to support families in need who have experienced a tragedy or crisis during the past year, have gained the support and participation of over 3,000 team members at her site. She has even been known to have donated her own time and money to assist families who were not selected through this program. Josie was selected by the Center for Equity of Care’s senior leadership team as this year’s recipient.
The winners of this year’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Spirit Awards not only embody the spirit of his dream but exemplify Northwell’s values. We thank them for their tireless commitment to our Northwell team and our communities.
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Announcing our new Advanced Clinical Provider Mentorship Program
In early 2020, Northwell Health launched its first Advanced Clinical Provider (ACP) Mentorship Program cohort. This one-year structured elective program is for new hire nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
The first cohort consisted of 20 mentors and mentees from both in-patient and ambulatory practice environments. The ACPs in the program will develop clinical and non-clinical skills essential to a successful career in healthcare management.
The program aims to enhance the skills development process during the onboarding period for nurse practitioners and physician assistants by emphasizing organization and self awareness. It also aims to bring value to the organization through continuous employee engagement, retention and recruitment of top ACP talent.
As part of our goal to identify and address non-clinical and clinical knowledge gaps for new hire ACPs, reciprocal partnerships will be created with a focus on developing a support system for ACP employees, especially outside their specialty and site. It will also include a focus on transition to practice so ACPs know how and when to advocate for themselves, increasing their autonomy in our health system.
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10 reasons we are a Best Workplace for Diversity
At Northwell Health, we’re excited to have the privilege of working in some of the most culturally diverse communities. By creating a space that is welcoming to all, no matter race, religion, or creed, we’re fostering an inclusive workplace where we can accomplish amazing things being truly together.
For two years in a row, our organization has been recognized for our commitment to diversity and inclusion by Great Place to Work for demonstrating excellence throughout our diversity initiatives. Here are 10 reasons why we’ve been named to the Best Workplaces for Diversity’s list for 2020:
Here are 10 reasons why we’ve been named to the Best Workplaces for Diversity’s list for 2020:
- We’ve been named one of the nation’s top health systems for diversity according to DiversityInc’s Top Hospitals & Health Systems for Diversity for the seventh year in a row, ranking us second nationally and first in New York State.
- We have a commitment to veterans and have been named A Military Friendly® Employer for six consecutive years, and a top 10 employer for the past two.
- Team members have the opportunity to join one of our many Business Employee Resource Groups (BERGs) which enhance engagement, innovation and talent development while promoting an inclusive culture by celebrating our differences and commonalities.
- Our Center for Learning and Innovation (CLI) and Center for Equity of Care (CEC) partner together to create training and education programs that foster cultural humility, critical thinking and self-awareness. These trainings contribute to a more inclusive environment in which team members from every background can feel comfortable.
- We have been a recipient of the National Association of Colleges & Employers Diversity and Inclusion Excellence Award.
- Our Emerging Leaders Diversity & Inclusion Council champions voices within our organization to ensure we are effectively prioritizing and focusing our efforts in the right ways.
- We partnered with NYC Pride to showcase our support of the LGBTQ communities and ensure each member, regardless of sexuality feels comfortable within our family.
- Our Path to Inclusion program offers an integrated and comprehensive approach to training, hiring and supporting individuals with disabilities by driving mutual understanding.
- We believe in advancing women in their careers within the health community. Our Women’s Mentorship Program has seen participants receive promotions while creating strong professional bonds between mentees and leadership.
- When it comes to being Truly Ourselves, our spirit of caring and celebration is there for every holiday. From legal holidays to meaningful religious observances to national days, our team members make a point to make each holiday special.
As you can see, our organization works endlessly to create an environment that’s diverse and inclusive of everyone who wants to contribute to improving the health of our patients, our communities, and our health system as a whole. Learn more about our diversity initiatives and how you can be a part of our team.
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Six reasons why an operating room fellowship could be right for you
Are you a new BSN graduate or experienced RN looking to take your career to the next level in the operating room? A periOperative fellowship could be a great way to gain the skills, experience, and confidence you need to be successful. Our six-month program combines lectures, workshops, independent study, role-playing, case scenarios, and simulation – all while providing hands-on experience in the OR.
Here are six ways our fellowship program can be instrumental in advancing the careers of truly ambitious nurses. You will:
1. Gain training not taught in nursing schools.
The operating room is different from just about any other environment and it is not typically part of the curriculum provided by most nursing schools.
“It is such a different atmosphere than what most nurses have been exposed to, and with little coverage of the OR in nursing schools, everything is new and different,” says Robyn Murray, an operating room registered nurse at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) who went through the fellowship herself. “I would definitely recommend the fellowship to nurses so they can build a strong foundation.”
2. Promote the nurse’s role as patient advocate.
Our fellowships help you build confidence as a key member of the interdisciplinary team. You will be better prepared to speak on behalf of the patient.
“The biggest lesson I learned during my OR fellowship was to always speak up and advocate for the patient,” says Kristi Troha, a registered nurse in the OR at Southside Hospital. “Northwell offers an unbelievable opportunity that has shaped my career and I am so thankful for it.”
3. Better understand the importance of teamwork.
You will master the ability to develop and manage relationships with staff with all different skills and personalities. We’re all a team in the OR!
Today Marisa Baccarella is an assistant nurse manager for the OR at Long Island Jewish Medical Center but she fell in love with periOperative teamwork during her fellowship: “I love the teamwork aspect of the operating room. You get to work with a large interdisciplinary team made up of surgeons, anesthesiologists, CRNAs, surgical techs, and periOperative assistants. You’re all working together very closely to take care of a patient.”
4. Acquire the essential skills for successful patient outcomes.
Because the OR is fast-paced and ever-changing, it’s important to have the hands-on skills needed to be successful. We will teach you everything you need to know, including surgical counts, sterility procedures, patient positioning and more.
“I think the fellowship is the best transition for a nurse to start a career in the OR,” says Kerri Robertson, an OR nurse at NSUH. “After completing the didactic and hands-on parts of the program, I was confident to circulate and scrub during surgery.”
Nina Stoia, an OR registered nurse at Peconic Bay Medical Center
5. Work on diverse cases.
Our fellowships give you a thorough and comprehensive orientation to the OR. You will have the opportunity to learn every service line, including both the adult and pediatric populations.
Nina Stoia, a registered nurse in the OR at Peconic Bay Medical Center, also completed a periOperative fellowship with Northwell. She says, “My favorite thing about working in the operating room is the diversity of cases I take part in. Whether it be a total knee arthroplasty, a cataract extraction, or a robotic hernia repair; they all positively impact an individual’s quality of life.”
6. Gain a strong foundation for continued growth.
Whether you are just beginning your nursing career or looking to advance it, Northwell’s periOperative fellowship program provides an excellent foundation to build upon.
“Be patient with your learning,” advises Michael Alvarez, a registered nurse first assistant in the OR at NSUH. “We learn very little about the OR in school and the OR environment is like no other.”
Are you Made for an opportunity like this?
The next step in your career is up to you! To learn more about being a part of our fellowship programs, click here.
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Northwell Health named a top 2020 Military Friendly organization
Northwell Health has been selected as a 2020 Military Friendly organization in four categories – top 10 employer, supplier diversity, brand and company – as one of the nation’s top organizations for military veterans.
As New York State’s largest health system and biggest private employer with more than 70,000 employees, Northwell also is one of the largest employers of veterans and offers a host of programs that support service members and their families, from jobs fairs and educational opportunities to behavioral health programs in concert with the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
“We’re proud to support our veterans and their families by providing resources and career opportunities throughout our health system,” said Michael J. Dowling, Northwell’s president and chief executive officer. “Over the past two years, we hired more than 500 veterans into the health system, a commitment to those who served and a smart business decision on our part. Hire a veteran and you’ll understand what I mean. Few people are better motivated or equipped to contribute to the workforce than veterans.”
Northwell supports veterans professionally, clinically
Among the veteran initiatives Northwell Health has enacted:
- By partnering with 160 organizations that work with veterans, Northwell hosts various recruitment, networking and interview days as well as its homegrown Barracks to Business Workshop to educate transitioning veterans regarding resume building.
- A veteran-focused business employee resource group, known as Veterans and Allies: Liaisons of Reintegration (VALOR), provides an increased sense of community to these heroes and a chance to gain insight from each other and share their experiences. VALOR helps veterans with employment and medical care.
- Employees returning from deployment receive checks representing the difference between their military pay and the regular salaries they would have received had they not taken military leave.
- A first-of-its-kind Unified Behavioral Health Center in Bay Shore – jointly operated by Northwell and the Northport VA Medical Center – helps military veterans and their families cope with the emotional burdens they face when they return home.
- Extending its commitment to service members beyond the organization, Northwell created “Side By Side: A Celebration of Service,” a day-long celebration of military service in Manhattan that coincided with Fleet Week in May 2019. Northwell plans to host the event again in 2020.
Organizations must meet Military Friendly’s rigorous criteria
“It’s our distinct honor and privilege to deploy our administrative and clinical capabilities to improve how our military access services, employment and support,” said Juan Serrano, assistant vice president of Northwell’s Office of Military and Veterans Liaison Services and himself a Marine veteran. “In 2019, we proudly provide the most health care to active duty members, veterans and their families in New York.”
Military Friendly weighed companies based on six criteria: Hiring and Onboarding, Opportunity and Advancement, Culture and Commitment, Support and Retention, Policies and Compliance, along with Recruiting and Sourcing. Northwell Health greatly exceeded the standard in each.
“We are proud to support transitioning veterans in finding their next mission,” said Cheryl Davidson, senior director of Workforce Readiness at Northwell. “Our programs were developed to ease their assimilation from military service to civilian careers.”
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Meet a true leader and humanitarian: John Kelly, LMSW
We’re proud to introduce you to care coordinator, John Kelly, LMSW who works in Northwell’s VetConnectNYC Coordination Center (CC).
As a Marine Corps Veteran and licensed social worker, John Kelly is helping veterans, military members, and their families access a wide range of supportive services (such as emergency housing, employment, healthcare, legal, and more). John served as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Defense Specialist Chief based out of Camp Lejeune, NC. He was deployed to Libya on a combat mission and, notably, on a humanitarian mission to provide aid in Haiti following the devastating 2011 earthquake.
Today, John’s responsibilities as a care coordinator involve screening, evaluation, and triage of incoming referrals and assistance requests. He works with the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services (NYC DVS) VetConnectNYC Network providers to identify, address, and remove barriers to care for the veterans that utilize our services. VetConnectNYC (formerly known as NYServes-NYC) is part of Syracuse University’s Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) AmericaServes collaborative in partnership with the NYC DVS who “owns” the New York City Market. John is a crucial piece of the Northwell Team who operates the Coordination Center for VetConnectNYC.
In John’s view, serving as a Marine was a time of strong personal and professional growth. “What I valued most was being a member of a team, a part of something larger than the individual. I believe that honor, courage, and commitment never leave the Marine as they move into a civilian career.”
Northwell’s support for veterans and military members reflects our commitment to their well-being and our respect for the talents and character they bring to their roles. “I’m part of an organization that holds those that have served, or continue to serve, in the highest regard. It is my passion and my guiding principle to provide hope and assistance to those that have sacrificed so much of themselves when they are in need,” says John.
He encourages fellow veterans to explore the potential that Northwell can offer for their career development and growth. “Northwell Health values Veterans as a resource that can strengthen the system as a whole. I would say to my fellow veterans: Look North. I doubt you will ever look back.”
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