Celebrating Black History Month

This year, to honor Black History Month, we connected with two of our African American/Caribbean Bridges BERG team members, Rakijah Galloway-Haskins and Myia Williams. Read on to discover how they promote a more inclusive and equitable environment in the workplace and find success throughout their career journeys at Northwell Health.

Rakijah Galloway-Haskins, MLS (ASCP), Clinical Laboratory Educator, North Shore University Hospital

Rakijah Galloway-Haskins began her career with Northwell in 2009 as a research laboratory supervisor at The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. In this role, Rakijah managed studies on blood banking products and testing devices with FDA clearances. She also worked with the transfusion medicine team to conduct studies and publish abstracts. In 2014, Rakijah began working as a donor room supervisor at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) where she ensured efficient and effective supervision of blood collections. She was also included in direct supervision of all whole blood, apheresis, and special collections. Two years later, Rakijah began a new role as a quality manager, laboratory safety officer at NSUH, where she managed the entire quality program for her department. Currently, Rakijah is a clinical laboratory educator at NSUH, responsible for overseeing clinical student rotations in all laboratory areas, conducting orientation for new team members, performing in-service and policy updates, and overseeing team member training. Rakijah is also the co-chair of the System Laboratory Safety and Sustainable Committee, where she focuses on sustainability and streamlining environmental efforts across the laboratory service line.

In addition, she acts as a liaison to team members to promote Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives and educational events as part of her role in the African American/Caribbean Bridges BERG. Besides loving her role in the BERG, Rakijah is also passionate about her career growth and development at Northwell Health and feels she has been supported in many ways. She was part of the pilot cohort of the Emerging Leaders and Diversity Mentorship program in 2019, which gave her the opportunity to network across different Northwell sites and create long-lasting, positive professional relationships. Currently, Rakijah is enrolled in the Corporate MAP-IT mentorship program. She is also mentor for participants in the Northwell Community Scholars Program, which focuses on college studies across the communities we serve.

This Black History Month, Rakijah and her BERG team members are participating in pop-up book fairs, volunteer opportunities, trivia games and educational sessions to advance Black health. She says, “Black History Month is a time to learn, honor the past, and strive for a more equitable future.” She thinks about the contributions and achievements her ancestors have made throughout history, celebrating their resilience, culture and impact on society.

Myia S. Williams, PhD, Advisor, Employee Experience

Myia Williams began her career at Northwell Health in 2016 as a research analyst with a focus on health disparities at The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. She worked alongside a multidisciplinary team to analyze data to inform policies and interventions that addresses gaps in healthcare access and outcomes among underserved populations. Two years later, Myia transitioned into a role as a researcher in industrial-organizational psychology at The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. Myia’s research focused on the challenge of developing and implementing evidence-based telehealth interventions to reduce the burden of chronic illnesses. In 2022, Myia took on the role of advisor of employee experience, where she led enterprise-wide initiatives, including employee experience and well-being surveys that provided insights into Northwell’s workforce needs. Two years later, she remains in the role, but her focus is shaping diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging through governance, research, analyses, and storytelling to foster a culture where everyone feels valued, heard and empowered to thrive.

Myia has always felt supported by Northwell in her career development. She benefited from an internship partnership between Northwell and Hofstra University, where she was able to grow her career and transition from academia to practice, applying her PhD research and skills into real-world settings. Myia also participated in Northwell’s McKinsey Accelerator Leadership Program to help strengthen her leadership capabilities and expand her impact and influence as a leader.

Myia is passionate about her role as a member in the African American/Caribbean Bridges BERG and the impact the Bridges BERG has had on her career journey. She believes that the BERG has offered her a sense of belonging, support and professional growth that she would not have found anywhere else. “Since joining the BERG, I’ve had the opportunity to engage with leaders across the organization and contribute to meaningful initiatives,” said Myia. She continued, “This experience has reinforced the importance of community and advocacy in professional spaces, allowing me to grow as an advocate for inclusion and belonging.” This Black History Month, Myia shared that she thinks about legacy and responsibility. She added, “Black history is not only confined to a single month—it’s a living, evolving narrative that deserves to be recognized and celebrated every day.”

Learn more about Northwell’s culture of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging –  discover a career well cared for with our Truly Inclusive team.

Meet Shandel Marcel, who grew her career from an emergency room registrar to a supervisor of monitor technicians at Lenox Hill Hospital (LHH). Throughout her time at Northwell, Shandel has been grateful for all the tools and advice she’s received in helping her advance her career. Today, as a supervisor of monitor technicians at Northwell’s Lenox Hill Hospital, Shandel’s responsibilities include managing scheduling, task assignments and responding quickly to patient and staffing needs. She also liaises between monitor technicians and other departments, ensuring a positive work environment.

Shandel began her career with Northwell in 1997 as an emergency room registrar at LHH. In this role, Shandel registers walk-in and bedside patients by collecting, verifying and updating their personal information, confirming insurance details and more. This led to her role as a pre-admission registrar at the same site in 2000, where Shandel gathered and verified new patient information, coordinated with medical and administrative staff, and responded to patient inquiries.  With the unwavering support from her leadership team, Shandel transitioned into cardiac services in 2001 as a financial counselor at LHH, handling patient insurance communication and collecting copays and signatures. She explored various roles within cardiac services, eventually discovering her passion for monitor technology. To complete the necessary certifications for this position, Shandel was part of a training program hosted by LHH. In this program, she was trained on heart rhythm interpretations, measurements, and the anatomy of the heart. After completing the course where she earned the necessary certifications, including her BLS, she became a monitor technician in 2008, where she observed heart rhythms, documented changes, and alerted nurses to any abnormalities.

Since 2021, Shandel has worked at LHH as a supervisor of monitor technicians. She was able to advance into this leadership role due to the knowledge gained from her past experiences and the many development programs at Northwell, including Leadership Essentials and mentorship opportunities. She shared, “Thanks to Northwell’s support of my career advancement, I am able to gain knowledge and build skills that make me stronger in my role.” Though there are many things Shandel loves about Northwell, she especially loves that she is always surrounded by supportive individuals who share her mission of providing elite patient care. Shandel offers advice for those looking to get their start with our team, “When starting a new career, be open to new experiences, ask a lot of questions and be open-minded so you can learn from your colleagues.”

Discover a career well cared for with our cardiac services team and learn more about opportunities at Northwell Health today.

Reflecting on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the power of opportunity in raising health for all

This year, to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day and his vision of unity, equality and justice, we connected with two of our African American/Caribbean Bridges BERG team members, Siobhan Valentine and Stacey Davis. Below learn more about how they embrace equity and inclusion in the workplace, hear about their career journeys and how they find success at Northwell Health.

Siobhan Valentine, Supervisor, Operations, Cohen Children’s Northwell Health Physician Partners General Pediatrics at Battery Park Pediatrics

Siobhan Valentine began her career at Northwell Health in 2014 as a part-time emergency department associate at Lenox Health Greenwich Village in New York City. In this role, Siobhan gained invaluable experience in preparing for the opening of Lenox Health Greenwich Village. She was excited to be one of the first emergency department associates trained and ready to be working at this new facility. As an emergency department associate, Siobhan was trained on how to perform admissions and registrations, and how to assist with pre-admission and pre-registration, and financial functions. She also learned how to assist patients in applying for, or renewing, health insurance coverage. That same year, when the facility opened its doors, Siobhan transitioned to full-time as an emergency department associate and later was promoted to lead emergency department associate in 2015.  She later held roles that included emergency room referrals coordinator at Lenox Hill Hospital for eight years, and her current role of supervisor of operations for Cohen Children’s Northwell Health Physician Partners at Battery Park Pediatrics where she oversees daily operations of the practice.

Siobhan is also passionate about her role in the African American/Caribbean Bridges BERG and the impact her membership has on her values and her career journey. “Becoming a member of the African American/Caribbean Bridges BERG has significantly enriched my Northwell career journey,” said Siobhan. “It has opened doors to professional development opportunities, which have expanded my skillset and connected me with colleagues across various departments.” Over the past decade, Siobhan’s career development at Northwell has been supported in many ways. One example is when her leaders encouraged her to reach her full potential by recommending that she participate in Northwell’s Management Accelerator Program (MAP). This experience deepened her understanding of inclusion and equity in the workplace and provided her with practical tools and strategies to build leadership skills and a larger professional network.

Siobhan is also proud to hold the title of events and programs coordinator for the African American/Caribbean Bridges BERG. She has been able to contribute to BERG initiatives, including several local events that Northwell is holding, such as an art competition, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Dr. King’s vision of unity and equality. Siobhan shared what the holiday means to her: “Dr. King’s message motivates me to appreciate the progress we’ve made while continuing to strive for a brighter, more inclusive future.”

Stacey Davis, BSN, RN, Med Surg-BC, Manager, Patient Care, Short Stay Pediatric Unit, Northern Westchester Hospital

Stacey Davis began her career at Northwell Health in 2015 as a behavioral health registered nurse at Phelps Hospital in Westchester. Three years later, she worked as an emergency department staff registered nurse at Northern Westchester Hospital. In 2019, still working at Northern Westchester Hospital, Stacey transferred to the endoscopy department, where she worked as a registered nurse. Due to the rise of COVID-19 in 2020, Stacey began working at Northern Westchester’s field hospital to treat those suffering from the virus. When the field hospital at Northern Westchester closed in 2021, Stacey moved to the short-stay pediatric unit to work as an assistant manager and later her current role as a patient care manager where she leads a team of registered nurses and patient care associates who care for surgical cardiac, bariatric and pediatric patients.

Stacey has always felt supported by Northwell in her career development. One recent example she shared was while she attended Leadership Beginnings as she was transitioning to a manager role. This session helped her connect with fellow leaders and gain insight from others in similar positions. Like Siobhan, Stacey also participated in Northwell’s Management Accelerator Program and her mission to help others and give back to the community led her to join Northwell’s African American/Caribbean Bridges BERG. “Our BERGs provide a necessary sense of community and belonging for Northwell team members,” Stacey shared. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a day of reflection for Stacey and of her desire to give back. During this time, she thinks about all her team does to help others as they do every day. She added, “At Northwell, we work together to take care of people in need. It is important to remember our roots and the reasons why we do what we do.”

Learn more about Northwell’s culture of inclusion, equity and belonging –  discover a career well cared for with our Truly Inclusive team.

From a medical assistant or secretary to manager of operations, discover an extraordinary career path at Northwell Health

Are you looking to grow into a career in operations at Northwell? Our team members can advance their careers in clinical and non-clinical roles through various personal and professional resources and development programs. This includes continuing educational opportunities through our Center for Learning and Innovation (CLI), mentorships, Business Employee Resource Groups (BERGs), tuition reimbursement and more. Below, you can explore one of the many ways you can grow your career from a medical assistant or secretary to a patient account representative to a supervisor of patient account services to manager of operations. For the complete job profiles of each role, we invite you to visit NorthwellCareers.com or click the link below to get started on this career journey as a medical secretary and discover a career well cared for as part of our Northwell team today.

View our available medical assistant and secretary roles today.
 Medical Secretary

Medical secretaries perform diversified secretarial duties supporting management and physicians in the office or hospital. They may also perform diversified secretarial duties including scheduling appointments, recordkeeping, file and office inventory maintenance and perform related duties, as required.

• Requires high school diploma or equivalent.
• Requires prior clerical experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively.

Medical Assistant

Medical assistants administer para-professional nursing care. Their duties include, but are not limited to, preparing patients for the physician and administering and recording laboratory tests. They may also assist in coordinating patient needs including preparation and organization of patient clinic charts.

• Requires a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Requires successful completion of a six (6) month to one (1) year course in medical assisting at an accredited school.
• Requires successful completion of one of the following:
  • Medical assistant training program with certificate.
  • One (1) to three (3) years of experience as a medical assistant, emergency medical technician or certified nursing attendant with certificate).
  • Northwell Health medical assistant training program.
• Requires data entry skills (80 keystrokes per minute).
• Prior experience and demonstrated competence as a medical assistant is preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively.

As you move along your career path from a medical secretary or medical assistant to a patient account representative, you can pursue a relevant degree by utilizing Northwell’s tuition reimbursement program. Your background as a medical secretary or assistant will provide a great foundation for this role and also  allow you to broaden your skills while continuing your education.

Patient Account Representative

Patient account representatives assist in monitoring the activities and performance of physician practices to ensure that billing-related functions are performed in an efficient manner consistent with department policies and procedures.

• Requires high school diploma or equivalent.
• Requires one (1) to three (3) years of relevant experience.

While transitioning from a patient account representative into a supervisor of patient account services, you will continue your education toward a relevant degree. This will allow you to continue advancing your education while also gaining experience in leadership.

Supervisor, Patient Account Services

Supervisors in patient account services monitor the billing team and daily operations of various health system sites to ensure that billing related functions are performed in an efficient manner consistent with department policies and procedures.

• Requires an associate’s degree or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Requires four (4) to six (6) years of relevant experience and up to two (2) years of leadership or management experience.

As you continue your career journey from supervisor of patient account services into a manager of operations, you will continue your education toward a bachelor’s degree. You may also participate in mentorship and management training programs. This will allow you to experience a variety of specialized learning and engagement activities in healthcare administration and operations management.

Manager, Operations

Manager of operations manage the daily administrative operations of a multi-physician, single or multiple practices, for a division or program. They also coordinate administrative functions, plan and support development of the site or joint division programs and all related areas. These leaders also manage all personnel and maintain accurate and current files on all department budgets, capital equipment requests and programs related to operational issues.

• Requires bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Requires six (6) to eight (8) years of relevant experience and two (2) to five (5) years of leadership and management experience.