Photo: Michele is the third women from the left.

Written by: Michele Parisi

I knew I wanted to become a nurse because I have always had a passion and a drive to be a part of the healing process. I believe that nursing is simply to give tender loving care while applying it to the everyday concept of medical care. Now, I have been a Registered Nurse for eight years,  and over these pasts few years I have had the pleasure to work with many talented and compassionate individuals who work in different departments, and within different capacities.  Working with these individuals at Northwell Health, I have realized that as a team we can accomplish anything.

We are all part of our patient’s healthcare team.  Whether it is the nurse, the physician, the nursing assistant, dietary, engineering, the security guard, administration, housekeeping, etc.   We are part of a team whose goal is to provide the safest and finest care we can deliver. We are all unique individuals who bring ideas to the table.

I became a part of Southside Hospital’s nursing team as a Labor and Delivery nurse. Labor and Delivery is an extremely intense, high-stress level area where emergencies occur daily and  I was privileged to work amongst the best team, and with them, we delivered the best care even throughout any emergency.  Two years later an opportunity was presented to me to join the Cardiothoracic ICU Fellowship program Northwell Health has. Throughout this experience, I was able to learn some of my best skills from the astonishing cardiac surgeons and the most remarkable nurses that I worked with.  After the fellowship,  I realized that my true passion was working in the delivery room and I accepted a position as an Assistant Nurse Manager. Taking on this task was a huge endeavor for me. This role is not about being a manager it’s about being a leader for your team. Communicating effectively, listening to others, leading by example, and many other traits are all qualities of the type of leader that I am. The culture of this organization has taught me how to be this way. Empowering one another, supporting one another, and collaborating with one another are some of the characteristics of the culture we have here that help guide me. We are all different and unique in our own way but we treat each other equally and with respect, and our patients receive the best care because of who we are. We are all truly together and that’s one of the reasons why I’m proud to work here.

Over the years, the best opportunity that I have been given is the opportunity to change people’s lives. I’ve taken care of some of the sickest patients in the hospital, and within weeks I’ve seen these patients walk out of the hospital. That’s the opportunity that touches me most and reminds me why I love being a nurse.  All of my other opportunities remind me why I love being a nurse at Northwell Health.

Written by: Pamela Johnson

What is Victory Greens?

Victory Greens, supported by both Lenox Hill Hospital (LHH) Administration and the health system’s GreenBERG, is a rooftop garden created for everyone who works at LHH to enjoy. Last year, I was given the opportunity to manage the garden, which has been as great a pleasure for me as the success we’ve had for employees.

Over 18,000 visits were made to the garden by LHH employees last year, a significant increase over the prior year. Last year, we hosted 8 Snipping Events that were attended by over 600 employees. At the events, employees had the chance to take home fresh herbs and produce from the garden and learn how to use them in new recipes, drinks and more. One employee who had never cooked with fresh herbs was so inspired by the garden’s bounty that she changed her entire eating habits. She lost 30 pounds and was able to go off of her blood pressure medicine by the end of the snipping season.

This year we are expanding the Snipping Events to include an educational component. We’ll be hosting programs targeting Body, Mind, and Spirit as well as a program on Nutrition and Cooking and one on Exercise. We’ll also be having our first “Mobile Garden” this season, which will allow us to deliver “snippings” to our colleagues at off-site facilities so they may enjoy products from the garden.

Benefits of our rooftop garden- patients and employees

Recent scientific studies have shown that it is critical for a person’s mental and physical health and overall well-being to have at least one direct touch with nature/day. Victory Greens allows us to have a touch of nature, even on a rooftop in NYC.

After a hard shift or a long day, the garden offers employees a place of solace, rest and fresh air, which is important after working inside all day or night. The rooftop garden also presents a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow employees, many of whom would, otherwise, never come into contact with one another. Numerous friendships have been formed over lunch or catching sun rays in the garden. In fact, the garden affords the opportunity to touch everyone in the LHH community, including our patients. Herbs from the garden are used in patient meals as well as in the cafeteria and in the catered events we often host for guests.

Fun fact: There’s at least one species indigenous to every continent represented in the garden and nearly 100 varieties of plants, herbs, vegetables, and fruit are currently growing on the rooftop.

Giving back to our community

Victory Greens has also led to the development of a wonderful relationship with our Community Partner, Harlem Grown. Harlem Grown is an organization whose mission is to inspire youth to lead healthy, productive, fulfilling lives. Through mentorship and urban farming, Harlem Grown increases access to, and knowledge of, healthy food for Harlem residents and provides garden-based development programs to Harlem youth. Our relationship with Harlem Grown began last summer and our programs and connections continue to grow. We have held a number of highly successful outreach events with the Harlem Grown community, including hosting a Teaching Kitchen event which offered information about nutrition, healthy eating and growing herbs and our most recent event in recognition of Earth Day, where we helped children from PS 197 plant flowers around their school. A mix of employees from clinical to non-clinical volunteered to participate in these events and they all have said their experience was as rewarding for them as it was the kids.

How it’s impacted my life

Personally, Victory Greens has had a profound impact on my life. Through the garden, I’ve been able to connect with colleagues I never would have met. I’ve had the opportunity to make a deep commitment to the community around us as well as to make a sincere pledge to help preserve the environment.  I’ve taken an active role in The GreenBERG, Northwell Health’s Business Employee Resource Group focused on environmentally conscientious initiatives. The mission of The GreenBERG is to improve the environmental impact of our facilities by advancing sustainable and socially responsible efforts across Northwell Health and in our communities.

From my involvement with Victory Greens and The GreenBERG, I’ve learned many things and have transformed my view of our planet. I now only wear clothing to work that is made out of sustainable materials, and I have developed a keen interest in trying to resolve recycling and other waste issues that plague hospitals. Who knows what solutions we may ultimately discover, but the magic of Victory Greens seems to be far reaching and highly impactful. Imagine…all that may, and all that has, come from an extraordinary rooftop garden at Lenox Hill Hospital.

Congratulations to Michael Dowling on being named among the top 100 CEOs by Glassdoor

As employees of Northwell Health, we’ve always known it. But now, the rest of the world knows that our CEO, Michael J. Dowling is one of the best CEOs of 2017! Based on our employees’ feedback, he has just been ranked among the top large U.S. company CEOs in the 2017 Glassdoor® Employees’ Choice Awards. In fact, he’s the fourth highest ranked health care CEO! It’s no surprise. Because when it comes to building a world-renowned health system, Mr. Dowling is made for this.

“I’m honored to be recognized for my leadership by Northwell employees – my colleagues. The truth is employees at every level are truly the lifeblood of our health system,” said Mr. Dowling. “Our health care professionals and the support teams that treat our patients at the most-vulnerable times of their lives require not only expert clinical skills but compassion as well.”

Glassdoor is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing job sites. Its annual report highlights the Highest Rated CEOs throughout North America. Mr. Dowling’s 91% employee approval ratings are showing the world what we already know: his commitment and passion to our mission. This is a place where we are all empowered and engaged to go further, to challenge the state of health care and to deliver the highest quality care possible. As we passionately live out this vision, we’re delivering significant results. Our nurses’ engagement and satisfaction scores are the highest in New York City.

We congratulate Mr. Dowling on this prestigious honor and thank him for making Northwell Health such an incredible place to work. This award is also proof that our highest level of leadership delivers the kind of outstanding performance we expect of all our employees. Are you made for an employer that expects your best and helps you achieve it? Then you might be made for this.

Additional details on the results of the Glassdoor survey can be found here.

It’s becoming a summer tradition we’re very proud of at Northwell Health: Welcoming the newest talented college juniors who make up the largest class yet in our 8-week Healthcare Management Program (HMP).

This year’s program is going to be massive. We had 675 applications from college students all around the country, up from 516 in 2016, and we chose the 26 students who were ready for the challenge of their lives. We also have 15 Northwell Health hospitals and departments participating in the program, up from 10 last year.

This year’s interns come from as far away as California, Texas, and Utah, connecting the world of health care in the concrete jungle. And while they’ll spend their summer in hot, humid and slightly magical New York City and Long Island, they’ll get a real-life educational experience that you just can’t get in a classroom setting.

Our interns were made for this.

We don’t mess around at orientation — and this isn’t a place for paper pushers. This is a place for people who were made for challenges. Our interns set goals to accomplish before summer’s end, and they’ll get the opportunity to prove to themselves, and their mentors, that they were up to the challenge.

They’ll experience what it means to run a world renowned health care system. Bringing someone coffee isn’t part of the job description, though at times, they might wish for an IV of it themselves. They’ll get to know us intimately and they’ll discover themselves in the process.

And this is only the beginning of their Northwell Health experience. The internship is the perfect stepping-stone to our Management Associate Program (MAP), which is a full time position after graduation. The MAP gives grads a holistic understanding of the business of health care, as well as our overall mission.

It’s also one more way students can grow with us and show how they were made for this.

To help them get started, we put together some advice from our mentors:

Push boundaries. “Embrace new opportunities – even when (especially when) you are out of your comfort zone. That’s when you learn the most about yourself,” – Jenna Tevere, Administrative Director, Emergency Medicine & Surgery, North Shore University Hospital.

Ask for help. “When you start a new project, always make sure you understand what exactly you have been asked to do. If you are at all confused, clarify before starting. It’s better to be honest and ask questions than spin your wheels.” – Ariel Hayes, Sr. Administrative Director, Northwell Health Solutions

Learn from the best. “It is very important to build relationships early on when starting a role in a new department or organization. Success is a team effort and you can learn from everyone, from staff level to executive leadership.” – Gregory Bennett, Sr. Director, Strategic Planning & Business Development, Northwell Health Solutions

It’ll be a summer to remember, and one that will push our interns to a new level of performance and success. It won’t come without long days, hard nights and new challenges.

But hard work in pursuit of a dream is always worth it.

 Interested in joining our team? Explore our opportunities for students today.

Huntington Hospital, one of our community hospitals, has recently attained its 4th Magnet® designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). This is the highest honor an organization can receive for excellence in nursing care. In addition to being the first on Long Island,  they are also second in New York State, and one of just 36 in the country to receive Magnet four or more times.  Magnet status is the gold standard for nursing excellence – a reflection of Huntington Hospital’s nursing professionalism, strong collaboration, innovation, and teamwork as well as superiority in patient care.

Huntington Hospital’s culture is built on a commitment to quality, exceptional experience, and excellence for both patients and employees.  “Our Nursing Leadership team is professional, dedicated, and committed to ensuring the best practice environment,” said Janet Milanese, Associate VP of Nursing.

Their nurses are able to practice in a supportive environment where opportunities are abundant, innovation is encouraged and their voices are heard. Their nurses work collaboratively and collegially with their interdisciplinary team to provide the best outcomes for their patients. “Senior leadership remains committed to nursing and meeting their strategic goals by supporting education, certification, and resources necessary to continue to provide high-quality care.  Achieving and maintaining Magnet designation is a true testament to not only nursing efforts but also the efforts of all that support the nursing department at Huntington Hospital,” said Donna Tanzi, Director of Nursing Education and Professional Development.

Nurses at Magnet facilities can feel the strong attraction between the two as they are known for their high retention rates, high job and employee engagement/satisfaction scores, as well as a culture of excellence and positive patient outcomes. “As a new nurse seeking employment, Huntington Hospital was my number one choice because of their sterling reputation as a Magnet designated hospital. Working alongside nurses who hold such high standards has given me an unsurpassable advantage in my career. I consider myself very lucky to work in an organization that thrives on education and excellence,” said Jessica Shremshock, RN. Nurses are identified as the pioneers at the forefront of our evolving health system and all aspects of patient care, and the nurses at Huntington Hospital are always keeping the patient and their family’s needs at heart and find innovative ways to meet those needs. It’s that sense of empathic necessity that keeps their nurses motivated and constantly seeking ways to improve the care of their patients by refining nursing-sensitive indicators and keeping patients at the center.

Huntington Hospital nurses feel empowered knowing they have a voice that will be heard, and this support reinforces the culture of pride that is felt by all who work here. Megan, a registered nurse in the ER reaffirms just how special working at a Magnet organization feels, stating, “Working in a Magnet facility reminds me every day why I chose a career in nursing in the first place.” Shannell Blanchard, RN, also adds, “Working at Huntington Hospital has really changed the way I practice nursing. As a magnet hospital, they hold their nurses to standards of excellence and it has given me a foundation with which to be a better nurse. I am glad I made the choice to work here.”

Being recognized by Magnet is a tremendous honor.  The culture of excellence at Huntington Hospital continually inspires the highest level of safety, quality,  and patient and staff satisfaction. This fourth achievement affirms the foundation of nursing excellence they have built.Explore their nursing opportunities. (link to RN Huntington positions)

 Explore their career opportunities. 

“Buckle up, because we’re going to be going to places we’ve never been before.” – Maureen White, RN, VP, Chief Nursing Executive

This is no time for “business as usual” or following the “status quo” or any other cliché you can think of. We’re defining the healthcare industry of tomorrow! That means we HAVE to think differently and deliver innovative solutions to achieve results we’ve never achieved before. To make our communities healthier, we’ll need to get out of our comfort zones as healthcare leaders. Above all, we need to drive nursing excellence through highly-engaged leaders.

That is exactly what happened at this year’s Nursing Leadership Retreat, “Beyond Boundaries: The Amazing Race to the 90th Percentile”. Held on May 15 and 16, approximately 220 nursing leaders – Nurses Executives, Nursing Directors, Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Managers, and High Potential Bedside Nurses – attended the retreat. The goal – to take our engagement and satisfaction scores to the 90th percentile and beyond! You could tell from day one that things were going to be different.

On the first day, we broke from past retreats by engaging participants like never before with games, puzzles and even a scavenger hunt. The participants divided into teams and were asked to explore various companies in the Midtown Manhattan area. Each activity served to challenge the participants’ teamwork, communication, creativity, and awareness of their surroundings. The challenges focused on developing best practices for customer experience, employee engagement, quality standards, and identifying characteristics of the best places to work.

On the second day, we heard the insights of a wide variety of exceptional presenters, including Dr. Jim Merlino, formerly the Chief Patient Experience Officer at the Cleveland Clinic and presently the President & Chief Medical Officer of the Strategic Consulting Division at Press Ganey. Dr. Merlino shared his strategies and experiences regarding how to lead an organization in patient experience. He also included Northwell Health specific recommendations in his discussion based on his knowledge of the health system’s Press Ganey performance.

• Dr. Jim Merlino, formerly the Chief Patient Experience Officer at the Cleveland Clinic and presently the President & Chief Medical Officer of the Strategic Consulting Division at Press Ganey. Dr. Merlino shared his strategies and experiences regarding how to lead an organization in patient experience. He also included Northwell Health specific recommendations in his discussion based on his knowledge of the health system’s Press Ganey performance.
• Darren Williams, of the Barry Wehmiller Leadership Institute and Simon Sinek who presented on “Finding the CEO in Yourself” and developing the leader in others. They explored who to find fulfillment in watching others actualize their fullest potential.

As we move forward, we identified a number of topics to focus on in our efforts to remain at the forefront of the healthcare field:

• The future of health care on a national and local level:
  • External factors that will influence/effect Northwell Health such as competition, the economy and the ACA
• Strategies for addressing these external factors:
  • The role of Nursing in meeting the strategic vision of the health system

At Northwell Health, we’re revolutionizing every area of health care. If you have a pioneering spirit and a forward-looking attitude, you were made for this. Come be part of it and learn more here.

“If you want to accomplish something, you have to believe it’s always possible.” – Maureen White

What difference can an electrical impulse make in combatting complex illnesses and injuries? Every difference.

Bioelectronic Medicine combines our knowledge of electrical signals and neural pathways to redefine how we predict, diagnose, and treat an incredible range of medical conditions. We’re teaching the body how to heal itself – without side effects.

“We are on the cusp of treating diseases in new ways that we would not have been imagining five years ago.” –Christopher Czura, PhD, Vice President Scientific Affairs

A moving experience.

“There seems to be no limit to what’s possible in this field. We have been able to restore movement in the hand of a paralyzed young man through an electronic brain implant.” –Chad Bouton, Director, Center for Bioelectronic Medicine

Is it possible to set free a person who has been imprisoned in their own body by paralysis? Yes, and we’re doing it. We’re developing devices that create a neural bypass around damaged neural pathways so the paralyzed can regain motion.

What happens in vagus.

A lot of what we’re able to accomplish with Bioelectronic Medicine focuses on the vagus nerve. This system of fibers runs from the brain stem to several major organs, including the heart and digestive tract. By identifying the relevant neural pathways and stimulating the vagus nerve electronically, we’re able to provide healing for conditions such as bleeding and many autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and lupus.

“Many rheumatoid arthritis patients that had failed multiple pharmaceutical treatments, experienced relief from their symptoms with Bioelectronic Medicine,” says Chad Bouton.

Thinking differently about prevention.

“Imagine waking up in the morning to an alert on your smartphone. A tiny device in your body analyzed your blood chemistry overnight and contacted your doctor about a possible issue – and even scheduled an appointment. This is the future of medicine.”–Chad Bouton

Beyond treating existing conditions, bioelectronic devices could have a dramatic impact on our ability to better diagnose disease. By monitoring biomarkers in at-risk patients and listening to the body’s own clues, we can perform real-time diagnostics and track the progress of a patient. This could lead to warning those at risk for cancer, diabetes, and other debilitating dangerous conditions.

Give your career a jolt.

“Seeing how these breakthroughs change real lives — and knowing it’s just the tip of the iceberg — is most exciting. It’s just the beginning.”

–Kevin Tracey, President & CEO, The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research

Are you ready to work on the leading edge of one of the most exciting areas of medical research today? The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research is looking for you to help advance the incredible potential of Bioelectronic Medicine. Our work is opening up exceptional opportunities for:

• Molecular Biologists – Identify the targets of disease for treatment
• Neuroscientists – Identify the neural pathway to manipulate the target
• Neural Electrical Engineers/Computer Scientists – Design the device to manipulate the appropriate pathway

Explore these careers today!

“Employees feel like they’re part of a family when they come to work here.”–Marianna Vazquez, Associate Executive Director, Patient Care Services, Chief Nursing Executive, Plainview Hospital and Syosset Hospital

You can’t argue with the numbers. At Plainview Hospital and Syosset Hospital, our recent employee surveys with engagement percentages in the 90s are among the highest in our health system and show that our nurses love working here. Our employees mentioned the exceptional care we provide and our supportive leadership as key reasons for their high satisfaction.

Two great hospitals with one great passion.

The more you know about Plainview and Syosset Hospitals, the more you’ll want to grow your nursing career at one of these places.

Plainview Hospital

We currently see approximately 35,000 emergency patients per year at our 204-bed teaching hospital. A designated Stroke Center, Plainview is also recognized by the Joint Commission as a Top Performer for Quality Measures for Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Pneumonia and Surgical Care. The Joint Commission has certified Plainview in advanced diabetes and hyperbaric medicine. We also have certification in minimally invasive gynecology. To maintain our high standards, Plainview is fostering an environment focused on nursing excellence with Magnet® status as the ultimate goal.

Syosset Hospital

Our 103-bed community hospital is home to the Orthopaedic Center of Excellence, the Davis Vision Eye Surgery Center and the Interventional Pain Management Center. We’re a 911 Receiving Station and a designated Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology by the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists. We’re also a designated Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery and the American Society of Bariatric Surgery.

Both hospitals also serve as clinical campuses for the Hofstra Northwell Health School of Medicine. No matter which hospital you work in, you’ll be part of New York’s leading health system and the state’s largest private employer offering competitive compensation and benefits, continuous learning and educational opportunities and advancement potential.

“We’re committed to giving our emergency nurses the best support possible, including advanced technology and an extensive orientation.”–Debra Clifford, RN, Nurse Manager

  Interested in joining our Plainview/ Syosset team? Explore our unlimited career possibilities today.

Veteran Graduation Ceremony

Each year thousands of Americans graduate from college, and this year we took the step to congratulate a certain group that has already done so much for our country. One of the Veteran initiatives at Northwell Health is to educate Veterans about our many career opportunities. With our Barracks to Business Career Workshops, we have been able to help hundreds of Veterans take their next steps in civilian life by translating their military skills to relate to civilian jobs. By joining our Veteran Talent Community, they can connect with our Veteran Program Specialist, Lyndon Chichester, who will help them discover the many career opportunities we have available. And with our recruitment events, they get to speak directly with recruiters about what they look for in candidates and how they can set themselves apart.That is exactly what happened last week at our Veteran Graduation event. Put together by our Inclusion team, this event connected recent Veteran graduates with our recruiters in

That is exactly what happened last week at our Veteran Graduation event. Put together by our Workforce Readiness Team, this event connected recent Veteran graduates with our recruiters in round-robin format.  “It was such a pleasure to attend this event. The size and time period allowed the attendees to connect with the recruiters individually and they were extremely knowledgeable and helpful,” said one of the attendees. With over 2,000 open positions, attendees were able to find a job that matched their Military background with the help of our MOS Crosswalk.

After a nice lunch and some cake, they left with their resumes in our recruiter’s hands and a bond formed with our Veteran Program Specialist. “Our goal is to help as many Veterans as possible. If that means having events like this so they can get in front of our recruiters, then we’ll try to have one every month,” said Lyndon Chichester. Here, we’re committed to helping each Veteran continue their career journey. We’ve been named a Military Friendly® Employer three years in a row, are proud members of the Veteran Jobs Mission and other programs committed to serving those who’ve done so much to serve us all. Above all, we’re dedicated to giving Veterans the opportunity to continue making a difference in peoples’ lives, and our communities.

Want to connect with Lyndon? Join our Veteran Talent Community.  

At Northwell Health, understanding and respecting the values and backgrounds of our patients and employees leads to more open communication, an enhanced patient experience, and improved health outcomes. This is why we continually provide an accepting, welcoming and supportive setting for all – especially those within the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) community.

“As an ally of the LGBTQ community, it’s wonderful to work for an organization that is dedicated, passionate and committed to promoting health equity.  I am thankful to have EXPRESSIONS as a business employee resource group where I can give my time outside of my normal job function to do this!” –Patricia McColley, Community Relations, Northwell Health

For the fifth consecutive year, DiversityInc has ranked us as one of the top 12 Hospitals and Health Systems in the nation for diversity and inclusion. We also continue to be recognized as a leader in the Human Rights Campaign’s annual Healthcare Equality Index.

Engaging our employees.

We’re pleased to be able to foster and promote EXPRESSIONS, a Northwell Health Business Employee Resource Group (BERG). EXPRESSIONS is comprised of employees who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning (LGBTQ) or who are allies of the LGBTQ community. Through this group, these individuals are able to express their passion for promoting health equity and awareness in a number of ways within the community.

“Over the years, I have gone from being afraid to go to school or work openly to recently marching with Gov. Cuomo down Fifth Avenue with my husband.  It is great to work for an organization where I can bring my whole self to work, feel included, and can promote health services within the LGBTQ community. It is gratifying that at our workplace we all feel comfortable and can work together to make sure that everyone feels welcome.” –Bill Self, Director, Health Sciences Library, Lenox Hill Hospital

Partnering with our community.

We will be taking part in a number of community activities during Pride Month, stop by and say hi, we’d love to meet you.

• June  9-11th: Long Island Pride Festival in partnership with the LGBT Network of Long Island
• June 17: Employee seating area at Citi Field on the 2nd annual pride night.
• June 25: NYC Pride Parade with Lenox Health Greenwich Village.

We recently purchased an immediate care clinic in Cherry Grove, Fire Island, one of the most popular LGBTQ accepting resort communities in the United States. This clinic will enable us to provide immediate/urgent care to the summer residents of the island. We are also a committed partner to these local community organizations:

• The LGBT Network, Long Island
• Long Island Crisis Center, Long Island
• Pride For Youth, Long Island
• The LGBT Community Center, Greenwich Village

Caring for the transgender community.

To accommodate patients of all ages and at all stages of the transitioning process, we provide a wide variety of transgender healthcare services in New York City and Long Island, including:

• Primary and preventative care
• Hormone replacement therapy and puberty blockers
• Surgical specialty care for gender-affirming surgery
• HIV prevent (PrEP) and HIV treatment
• Screening for sexually transmitted infections
• Mental health care
• Immunizations
• Healthy and sexuality education
• Risk reduction counseling
• Referral services

At Northwell Health we live by our value Truly Ourselves. We stand united, proud and respectful, always celebrating
our differences. This and every month we stand proudly with our LGBTQ community and celebrate. 

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. At Zucker Hillside Hospital, Northwell Health’s nationally recognized behavioral health center, we’re committed to the compassionate care of people suffering from a wide range of conditions and addictions. We’re passionate about our leadership role in the field as we pursue new treatments and solutions to help our patients reintegrate into the community.

That’s why we’re looking forward to sharing our knowledge and best practices with the behavioral health community at the American Psychiatric Nurses Association’s 31st Annual Conference this October in Phoenix, Arizona.

Zucker Hillside Hospital has been an active participant and presenter at the conference for many years. In fact, our Chief Nursing Officer, Marybeth McManus serves on the Research Council steering committee board. We’re very excited about the volume of presentations by our nurses this year — eight posters and one podium presentation. “We are really rejuvenating our nursing research and evidence based council at Zucker Hillside,” notes Marybeth. “This year we’re going all out to share what we’ve got going on.”

With new research initiatives and the rollout of the evidence based practice competency, Zucker Hillside Hospital is upping the game for nurses in their professional practice. Not only that, but the hospital opened a brand new building in 2013. “Northwell Health really supports behavioral health,” states Marybeth. “That’s unique for a health system and we’re excited to be able to disseminate some of the cutting edge things we’re doing here.”

We’ll be sharing previews of our nurses’ presentations over the coming months, which include topics such as dialectical behavioral therapy, the effect of noise control on patient satisfaction, elevating family centered electroconvulsive therapy, experiences and utilization of the New York State Office of Mental Health’s “Preventing and Managing Crisis Situations,” and more!

 Explore careers in behavioral health.

You can help bring it all together.

Are you transitioning into a new phase of your life? Are you looking for a job where you can make the most of your flexibility, dedication and compassion? RegionCare Nursing Agency, a licensed agency of Northwell Health, may have just what you’re seeking.

As a Home Health Aide with RegionCare Nursing Agency, you’ll help bring the exceptional, innovative care Northwell Health is known for right to the patient’s home. Your key role will enable patients to enjoy decreased healing time, improved mental health and an increased sense of dignity.

Home care is a rapidly growing area of health care. RegionCare Nursing Agency has openings for experienced Home Health Aides as well as training courses for those looking to begin a career in this rewarding field. “We’re looking for high caliber individuals,” says Mary Winters, Assistant Vice President of RegionCare. “We need people who are accountable, and who also have the flexibility to do this job well and are looking to grow with a dynamic healthcare organization.

The key role you’ll play.

As a Home Health Aide, you will work closely as a team with highly skilled nurses to provide comprehensive patient care. Because every patient is unique, you may be called on to provide any of the following services:

• Bathing and dressing
• Shopping
• Light housekeeping and laundry
• Preparing meals
• Reading to patients
• Taking patients for walks
• Helping with hobbies and activities

The rewards you’ll enjoy.

Delivering this vital care while meeting our high standards may be challenging. “You have to be mature, empathic and patient,” notes Mary Winters. If you have what it takes, the benefits and perks are excellent and include:

• Flexible days and hours
• Paid continuing education
• Compensation for travel time
• Advancement opportunities
• Employee appreciation activities
• Health Insurance (Full-time employees)

The training you need to get started.

One great thing about pursuing a career with RegionCare is that you don’t need home care experience. If you have a heart for caring for others, they can help you live out that passion. RegionCare Nursing Agency provides a FREE Home Health Aide Training Course to get you started. Offered multiple times throughout the year and at several locations, the course combines 75 hours of classroom training with 16 hours of supervised practical training. Registered Nurses provide instruction based on your unique needs and guide you in developing required hands-on skills. Of course, those with home health experience are definitely encouraged to apply as well.

Take the first step.

If you’re ready to make the most of your deep compassion for others, we invite you to join us as a Home Health Aide with RegionCare.

An internship is the first step to beginning your career. Although they may seem intimidating, if you follow these tips, you can ensure a successful experience!

Treat it as an extended interview.

Dress for the part – If you want to be part of the team, you need to dress like the team. It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed.

Speaking the part – Always remember you are in a professional environment, be aware of the language you use, and how you present yourself. Refrain from using your phone and ensure you are listening – you may believe you are good at multitasking, but you want everyone to know that you value their time.

Acting the part – Be someone who you would like to work with. Ask for feedback and accept constructive criticism from your colleagues.

Take advantage of networking opportunities.

Take the time to learn about and connect with the people you meet over the course of your internship. Everyone you come in contact with will have a unique story and a unique set of skills that you could benefit from. It is important to build your professional network, you never know, they could present you with your first job opportunity.

Maximize your experience.

Internships have an expiration date, so make sure you take advantage of every opportunity that you can. Volunteer for projects that might be out of your comfort zone – you can learn from every experience and make sure throughout your internship to ask questions. No question is a dumb question. Remember to have fun; you are looking for a career that will last the rest of your life.

Written by Adrian Concepcion, Paramedic I

Why I became a Paramedic

My Northwell Health career began before I had even discovered the passion I had to help others. My mother, a Nurse, and my father, a Physician Assistant, both worked at hospitals that would one day become part of the Northwell Health family. Although I admired their work and saw them excel in their careers, I never pictured myself following in either of their footsteps. After high school and through the first few years of college, I worked at a number of jobs, but it was hard to see any of those jobs as a long-term career. It wasn’t until I took an EMT- Basic course that I immediately realized, “This is it. This is my passion.” I get to come to work, help people improve their lives, and even save lives on a daily basis.

At a young age, my grandfather told me to find a career that I loved, a role that would make me want to wake up in the morning and go to work every day. If you can do that, he said that I would never work a day in my life.

Joining Northwell Health

After I completed the EMT – Basic course, I started working at various EMS companies, but I had a desire for more. I wanted to be able to make a bigger impact on the lives of my patients and I wanted to work for a company that shared the same goals as me. I began working night shifts as an EMT and started attending Stony Brook University’s Paramedic Program during the day. One year later, I graduated at the top of my class and started to practice as a Paramedic.

I started looking and applying to Northwell Health’s careers website at every opportunity. I would apply for any position I was qualified for with the plan that once I got in the health system I could transfer into CEMS (Center for Emergency Medical Services). Then finally in January 2016, while waiting for the next emergency call at work, my phone rang and it was Northwell Health- the day had finally come. During the interview and on-boarding process, every individual I had the pleasure of dealing with made me realize that I could not have made a better choice than becoming part of this organization. Since my hiring as an EMT-Basic I was upgraded to Paramedic I in under a year.

“I was made for this”

Academic accomplishments aside, what I am most proud of is being able to do what I love for my patients. I can truly say I treat every one of my patients as if they were my own family and it has paid off. I have received numerous awards and stars on myRecognition, our internal employee recognition platform, and accomplishment pins from supervisors and fellow staff members. Numerous patients and their families write letters to thank me and my partner for going above and beyond to make a stressful, scary situation easier on them.  When our CEMS EMTs and Paramedics show up, it’s usually due to an emergency situation. Knowing the community can trust the EMTs and Paramedics to take care of them or their family members and that CEMS is leading the way in its industry allows them to take a sigh of relief.

I know I was “made for this,” because of the letters I receive from a patient’s family thanking me for taking care of their loved one or another patient has called to say thank you. Every day I wear my recognition pins proudly. It reminds me to always uphold my organization’s values and it shows the pride I have for my job. They also ensure that I never forget how blessed I am to work as a Northwell Health Paramedic.  My plan is to soon advance my career even further and become a Critical Care Paramedic.

Most importantly, every time I put on my uniform it reminds me that I have another chance to make a difference or save a life. After all, the simple act of caring creates an endless ripple that passes from person to person.