Archive for year: 2018
We’re breaking ground on a groundbreaking Microbiology laboratory
Northwell Health and NYC Health + Hospitals have started work on a brand new shared lab! The $47.7 million, 36,000 square-foot lab in Little Neck will primarily perform microbiology tests and will provide enhanced service levels to the physicians and patients in our community while bringing additional jobs to the city! The new lab will be the largest, nonprofit, hospital-operated lab network in the nation and will be processing over 50 million tests annually. This means enticing career opportunities for lab professionals to be the first inside this new lab!
The Microbiology lab is in an exciting phase of development. Northwell Health will be implementing cutting-edge technology in our transition to this new space. It will be the first lab in the country with two total lab automation system lines (TLS), which includes automatic specimen processing and digital imaging and to supplement classical microbiology methods, the lab uses MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. This new automated Micro equipment will be known as Kiestra.
“Having Kiestra at Little Neck Parkway will introduce a new beginning to the Microbiology World with new automation,” said Ebru Turk, Microbiology Technologist.
This new lab is just another way that Northwell Health is rising to the challenge that we’re Made for. We are actively recruiting enthusiastic and capable technologists to help us realize this project to its full potential. Explore opportunities inside this brand new, state-of-the-art facility here.
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Healthcare Management Program Interns reach new heights
This summer, 24 talented college juniors and seniors had the opportunity to experience the operations and different roles that make a health system successful. Through our Healthcare Management Program (HMP) Internship, interns built their leadership skills and gained invaluable experience and knowledge in the dynamic healthcare field in this elite 8-week program. In between operations projects, learning from their mentors, and gaining experience at their site, our interns had a summer packed with activities.
The second half of the program included a day trip into New York City. The morning was spent with educational sessions and team building. And there’s no better way to end a day in the city than with a Broadway show! Interns had the chance to enjoy the Tony-winning musical, Come from Away and experience New York’s culture.
Our HMP interns also spent a day at Project C.A.R.E. (Cooperative Activities Ropes Experience) at South Oaks Hospital. Starting with team building exercises, interns worked together to tackle obstacles and climbed to unexpected heights. Problem solving games in this adventure-based workshop taught interns the importance of working Truly Together. And by the end of the day, they were cheering each other on as they overcame fear and nerves on the high ropes elements.
As the internship drew to a close, the HMP interns prepared to give their final presentations. These 15-minute presentations were given in front of their mentors and other Northwell senior leadership in a day-long session. Interns had the opportunity to showcase the different projects they worked on throughout their program. Not only did they get to reflect on what they’ve learned and accomplished, but they had the unique chance to share their insight on how Northwell can continue to improve our operations.
With the presentations successfully wrapped up, it was time to celebrate! The day ended with an HMP Alumni Dinner where interns were able to network with previous HMP interns, mentors, and some of Northwell’s executives.
The summer may be ending, but this isn’t the end of the road for our interns. Interviews for HMP’s sister program, the Management Associate Program (MAP), are currently under way. And many of our interns will go on to begin their careers with Northwell after their graduation. Last year, 12 interns were offered positions in the highly competitive two-year program that helps forge an early path into healthcare management at Northwell.
We asked some of our interns for their parting thoughts. Check them out below!
Interested in joining the 2019 Healthcare Management Program? Check back to our website or join our talent community!
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Rain or shine, Northwell employees Rally on
At Northwell, we’re flexible and not afraid to push boundaries. So, the forecast and eventual onset of rain that showed up at the finale of this year’s employee Rally didn’t stop our team members from making unforgettable memories together and celebrating the “Story of us.” There was nothing but sunny and smiling faces at the Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater on Saturday, July 21 when thousands of Northwell team members gathered for this incredible event.
This year’s Rally was all about storytelling and started at the Wellgate, our healthy version of a tailgate. In the “Story of Us” zone, guests could visit “Did You Know?” tents to learn about different initiatives for Northwell team members– such as myWellness, the Gift of Life (Northwell’s organ donation partnership program) and the work of our Foundation (we are a non-profit after all).
It was in this zone that Northwell even beat a world record! Rally guests worked together to help Northwell break the Guinness World Record for the most color by number contributions. 829 participants colored in a giant mural depicting our health system, beating the previous record of 455 participants.
In the “Story of Life” zone, Rally guests experienced the power of connection. Here guests could taste healthy choice recipes crafted by 12 Northwell chefs from our hospitals. They also discovered the healing power of pet therapy, getting the opportunity to meet with Northwell’s furriest team members. Poetry was also part of the day, with poets writing a personalized haiku for guests based on their own stories.
Rally guests could then walk through the different features highlighting our “Stores of Curiosity”. Guests could participate in training in an ambulance simulator or support one of Northwell’s next innovations by signing the “What if” wall which gave an inside look into some of our health system’s next big ideas. The zone’s Hall of Innovation was another big hit at the Rally. From a telehealth bike that gives patients access to supervised pulmonary rehabilitation therapy remotely, to a Northwell Health skill for Amazon Alexa that delivers current wait times for our patients, Northwell’s team members are developing innovations that will help shape the future of health care.
Other featured initiatives included: the Fin (the first 3D-printed, amphibious, prosthetic leg that allows amputee swimmers to navigate in and out of the water), Bottle Cap (an app that provides patients with automated text messaging and online coaching to learn about and reduce their consumption of alcoholic beverages,) and Project Polaris (a multi-year journey to reimagine HR processes).
In our “Stories of Celebration” zone, we celebrated our diverse and growing team of more than 66,000, including the stories of our President’s Awards winners and finalists, service awards recipients, and those who volunteered for service in last year’s Hurricane Harvey and Maria relief efforts. Our employees are so much more than their scrubs and stethoscopes and Rally guests were able to look, listen, touch and feel the exceptional stories of their fellow team members in our immersive display celebrating Northwell’s every day heroes.
Finally, at the Activity Stage, employees moved to the beat at the Zumba class led by a Northwell team member, Daniel Manalo, and danced to the music of the Hot Seeds, our very own physician band.
After the Wellgate experience, attendees entered the amphitheater for the main show, an experience that won’t soon be forgotten. From a guest speaker to President’s Awards Winner tributes to the grand prize drawing of our employee walk challenge to special performances, team members danced and cheered all night long.
It of course wouldn’t be a Rally without Michael J. Dowling, Northwell’s President and CEO. It’s not often your CEO make their big entrance on a boat! His remarks, as always, inspired everyone in attendance and he reminded team members to continue to innovate for our patients and our community.
Advancing Northwell’s spirit of innovation was the Rally’s guest speaker, Mick Ebeling. Mick founded Not Impossible Labs and works hard to expand the possibilities of technology to provide solutions for fundamental human needs, causing waves in and out of the world of healthcare. His powerful speech inspired Northwell employees to continue to view the world differently and to challenge the idea of impossible.
Closing the 2018 Northwell Rally was a spectacular performance from Michael Elroy and the Broadway Inspirational Voices and a moving display from The Silhouettes.
The excitement in the air was contagious, with team members feeling reinvigorated for what lies ahead. Of course, the excitement was never higher than when it came time to announce the big winners for the Walk to Dublin employee step challenge. The winning team was announced, with all ten members receiving a free trip to Dublin. But that wasn’t all – as a surprise, two more teams were awarded the grand prize for a total of thirty employees headed to Dublin!
As the event came to a close, there was one impassioned thought running through the crowd: we can’t wait to see what the Story of Us brings next year!
Are you Made for a career at Northwell? Explore current job opportunities across our health system.
Watch the Rally Recap Video for a glimpse of the day and incredible moments that unfolded!
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Northwell Health has Pride all month long
Every June marks LGBTQ Pride Month and here at Northwell we stand proudly with our LGBTQ community and celebrate – in June and every month! We value being Truly Ourselves and Northwell stands united, proud and respectful, always celebrating our differences.
As a large supporter of the LGBTQ Community, Northwell attended numerous Pride events across all regions along with participation and guidance from our EXPRESSIONS BERG (Business Employee Resource Group).
EXPRESSIONS is Northwell’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) BERG. Members consist of Northwell Health employees who identify as LGBTQ, are allies of the LGBTQ community, and are passionate about promoting unity, health equity and awareness of the LGBTQ community. They promote awareness and inclusion in the workplace, and connect the community with services based on their unique health care needs.
As a champion of Health Equity Northwell Health has earned recognition and been designated as a Leader in LGBTQ Healthcare Equality in the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Healthcare Equality Index for 2018 and is a committed ally in the fight to break down barriers and offer individualized, and compassionate health care to each and every person it serves.
Check out some highlights from Northwell’s Pride activities!
- On June 2nd, Westchester’s largest LGBTQ center held its annual pride festival “LOFT Pride” with a pet parade, food trucks, vendors, raffles and advocacy stations. The event had performances by Broadway Sings for Pride, Sutton Lee Seymour, Fogo Azul NYC, Lyane Deep Priest as well as the LOFT Pride Chorus. Phelps Hospital and the Phelps Medical Associates participated with an informational table.
- Phelps Hospital and Phelps Medical Associates attended the 20th annual Rockland Pride on June 10th. In addition to the informational tables, the event had live music, kids’ activities, art, dancing and food trucks.
- Northwell Health attended the 20th annual Pride Parade in Cherry Grove, Fire Island on Saturday, June 16th. The town was decorated with our Northwell Health pride flags prior to the parade along with float and marchers that participated in the event.
The 28th Annual Long Island Pride Parade took place on Sunday, June 10th in Long Beach, NY. This year’s theme: “Brave.Strong.United” rang loud with Northwell’s very own parade float and full marching contingent composed of engaged and devoted employee volunteers ready to show their pride!- Northwell Health participated in the annual NYC Pride Parade and Festival on June 24th. In addition to a marching contingent of 200 participants, Northwell had a large presence at the festival with representation from Lenox Health Greenwich Village, Imaging, Orthopedics, the Center for AIDS Research & Treatment, the Center for Retroviral Diseases as well as the Friedman Transgender Program.
Looking to get involved? EXPRESSIONS BERG is currently in the processing of planning their next meeting. Start your career with Northwell to get involved today!
Are you Made for a career at Northwell? Explore current job opportunities.
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Top 10 reasons to work as a Registered Nurse in ambulatory practices
When it comes to making the switch from a hospital setting to ambulatory or outpatient practices, there’s a lot to consider. From improved work/life balance to close-knit teams, ambulatory practices offer many benefits to Registered Nurses. Hear from Practice RNs from our 650+ ambulatory locations to discover why they love working in physician practices!
1. Bond with patients long-term
Practice RNs working in an ambulatory or outpatient offices have the unique opportunity to bond with their patients long-term. Having regular appointments lets nurses and patients connect and get to know each other outside of a hospital setting.
“I love being a practice nurse because I get to build a rapport with my patients during their obstetric care, they feel like family”
– Mary Rogala, Practice RN
“I enjoy working at Northwell Physician Partners because it gives me an opportunity to develop more long term relationships with our patients.”
– Brandi Celmer, Practice RN
2. Work/Life balance
Working in a physician practice also offers greater work/life balance for our RNs. Shorter business hours and no night shift means as a practice RN you can enjoy your nights at home. No or limited working weekends means more time together with your friends and family.
3. Work in your own backyard
With 650+ locations throughout the Tri-state area, Northwell Health gives you the opportunity to work in your own backyard. Find your perfect work commute when you choose a location from our physician practices across Long Island, Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, The Bronx, Staten Island and Westchester.
4. Different paces in work environments
More locations means more choices! Find the right fit for you when you choose from Northwell’s dynamic range of work environments. With 650+ locations, it’s easy to find a site that matches your speed no matter your preferred pace. There’s also never a need to worry about getting stuck in one place. With limitless opportunities, our nurses have the potential to move between practices and locations.
5. Growing ambulatory industry
Within the last two years, Northwell Health has doubled our number of physician practices. As our hospital services continuously expand, we’re acquiring more and more practices to support our services. This means good news for our practice RNs – our ambulatory practices only continue to grow alongside our health system!
6. Flexible shifts
With typical business hours of 8am-6pm, practice RNs can also enjoy the perk of flexible shifts! Having shifts with various hours gives you the chance to choose a schedule that works best with your lifestyle. Enjoy shifts from 9am-5pm, 8am-4pm, and 10am-6pm, so you can plan your day around the needs of your family.
“Working in an office practice has allowed me to continue my nursing care to adapt to my changing needs of my family.”
– Alison Kachianos, Practice RN
7. Preventative care opportunities
Preventative care also helps make practice RN careers especially rewarding. Being able to bond with your patients allows our nurses to not only treat patients when they’re in need, but help educate them on how to prevent them from needing future care. The encouragement and knowledge our nurses share with patients helps patients develop healthy routines and habits that make a huge difference in their lives.
“Practice nursing allows me to do a lot of patient teaching”
– Karla Motis, Practice RN
“I love the continuity of patient care”
– Joan Strong, Practice RN
8. Close working relationships with your physicians
Another advantage of working as a Registered Nurse in a Physician Practice means creating strong bonds with your physicians. Working at in an ambulatory setting means more collaborative care with the physicians as you work as a team to provide your patients with the best care possible.
“We love working in the ambulatory setting because we are able to form close bonds with our physicians so collaboratively we can take better care of our patients”
– Diane Rago and Nancy Daly, Practice RNs
9. No or limited holidays working
There’s no better place to spend the holidays than with your family and friends. No or limited holidays working means you get to spend invaluable time with your loved ones.
10. Close-knit team environment
With a smaller group of RNs and physicians, the workplace in ambulatory or outpatient settings is a close one that’s Truly Together. Build a strong with your team to create an atmosphere that’s more like family!
“I love getting to work with great nurses every day.”
– Mary Rogala, Practice RN
Are you Made for nursing? We’re hiring nurses at our physician practices now.
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Your first week at work – a checklist for success
You did it! You landed the job you’ve always wanted and now it’s your first week at work. You’re understandably nervous. You want to make a great impression, but with all that you have to keep track of and remember, it helps to have a checklist to follow. Based on the experience and insight of Northwell Health recruiters who have been where you are right now, here’s a handy list of things to help you start your career journey on the right foot!
Take a deep breath and relax.
Just remember, you’re surrounded by people who are excited to have you on the team. They want you to succeed and will help you make it happen. So, stay calm and don’t put too much pressure on yourself to figure everything out in week one. It also helps to arrive early, ready to go. Being prepared is a great way to reduce stress.
Ask questions and listen.
You’re joining a knowledgeable and experienced team. They have a lot of expertise to share with you. As Northwell Health recruiter, Saadia Lomeli says, “Seek tips from employees who have been successful in similar roles as yours.” Tap into this wealth of information – ask questions and really listen. And get ready to soak it all up like a sponge.
Make yourself known.
Introduce yourself! There is no need to wait to be introduced. Get to know your colleagues. “It is imperative to build relationships,” says Stephanie Wiltse, Northwell Health Recruiter. “They can be a great resource while you’re orienting.”
Join the team.
Northwell Health is all about customer service. That means you should always be ready and willing to lend a helping hand – teamwork makes success possible, no matter your role.
Keep an open mind and be flexible.
Be open to input and advice. Seek other perspectives and points of view. Stephanie Wiltse reminds new employees to, “Be open to feedback. We all make mistakes, especially when we are beginning a new career. If someone is giving you feedback it is to help you develop into the best employee you can be.”
If you’d like to be part of an organization that is passionate about helping you be successful – in your first week at work and every week – put Northwell Health at the top of your list of places to work.
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Meet the 2018 President’s Awards Winners!
Nurse of the Year
Vivian Buccino, BSN, Charge Nurse, South Oaks Hospital
Vivian is committed to taking care of patients on the behavioral health unit at South Oaks Hospital, caring for the female adolescent population. She begins each shift rounding, ensuring her patients are treated with respect, regardless of their illness. While she provides clinical care, she also builds trust with her patients and demonstrates that she personally cares. Sometimes when patients have no visitors for lengths at a time Vivian will come in on her day off with cupcakes.
Vivian’s caring demeanor manifests itself in every interaction with patients and their families – exceeding what is expected to ensure everyone feels safe and secure. She is a role model for the girls on her unit, as well as her peers. Vivian always says that South Oaks Hospital is where she needs to be because her patients need her. It’s as simple as that.
Watch Vivian’s Made for this story.
Leader of the Year
Melonie Pernice, RT (R), MBA, Administrative Director, Radiology, Plainview Hospital
Many moments in Melonie’s life led her to her career in healthcare. From witnessing the tragic events of 9/11 to her service in the U.S. Army working in a Combat Action Support Hospital, Melonie knew helping others was her calling.
While serving our country Melonie was assisting a critically-injured soldier who had been hit by a bomb. She soothed the soldier during his last moments of life by holding his hand and talking. Devastated by the loss, she found a letter to his family in the pocket of his uniform, and made it her mission to personally ensure the soldier’s family received this letter.
During her nine-year military tenure and leadership experience, Melonie has served as a role model for her staff, developing a strong sense of admiration amongst her team members. Overseeing radiology and cardiology for Plainview and Syosset hospitals, her list of achievements is vast, and because of this, she directly contributes to the success of Northwell as a thriving environment. Her colleague shares, “From her time as a soldier stationed in Iraq to now, her spirit has remained constant, influential and inspiring. We are lucky to have her.”
Watch Melonie’s Made for this story.
Teamwork- Project Search, Southwest Region
Team lead: Anne Marie McDonough
Team members: Joy Barone, Jai Sada, Anthony Mantuano, Antoniette Arcamone, Laura Longo, Dir, Rory Bradley, Nora Goldberg, Ralph Grimaldi, Joann Compitello
Launched at Staten Island University Hospital, Project Search is an innovative national program used to diversify a hospital’s workforce while minimizing high turnover in entry level jobs. The transition training program is for students with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities who have completed academic requirements and would benefit from internships and employability skills education. The program’s steering committee identified entry level positions, performed job task analysis and created a recognizable presence for program participants. Ten applicants were selected, and classes began at Staten Island in September 2017. Led by special educators and a job coach, students attended daily classroom academic sessions and spent the remainder of their day with their mentor in their internship.
By the end of the year, students rotated through three non-paid internships that provided real-life work experience combined with training in employability and independent living skills. Staff became role models for the students, and the transition program has had far-reaching positive effects on attitudes about hiring people with disabilities and the range of jobs in which they can be successful. There is significant potential for rolling this program out within the entire organization.
Watch Project Search’s Made for this story!
Exceptional Patient Customer Experience
Urszula Monaco, Lobby Service Representative, Center for Advanced Medicine
Fighting cancer is frightening, stressful and challenging. Fortunately, patients at the Center for Advanced Medicine Department of Radiation Medicine have someone like Urszula on their side. As the department’s lobby service representative, Urszula is the first face patients see when they come to the department where they are welcomed with her warm greeting and smile. Seamlessly, Urszula maintains the patient flow, helping to keep patients informed and reassured if there are any delays. This is no easy task when you consider that she sees over 120 patients and their families daily.
Urszula literally wears out the tread of her shoes moving from waiting room to waiting room, all while attending to the needs of patients. In 2017, Urszula walked approximately 3,276,000 steps which translates to more than 1,400 miles. While that seems like a tremendous distance to travel, Urszula would gladly go twice as far it if meant that she could comfort another patient. If you ask her if she gets tired of walking so much, her response would be, “Not at all. I just need a new pair of shoes.”
In addition to supporting patients, Urszula helps the department by spearheading creative ideas for improvement. She was heavily involved in rolling out the “Gong Ceremony” to help patients celebrate the important milestone of finishing treatment. Urszula wants to make sure no patient no patient goes through their diagnosis alone.
Watch Urzula’s Made for this story!
Physician of the Year
Tarek Zetoune MD, Hospice Physician, Hospice Care Network
Dr. Zetoune holds a unique understanding of the true meaning of comprehensive care and is committed to delivering quality end of life care to both adult and pediatric patients. Driven by the belief that every day matters, he demonstrates his pledge to connectedness, awareness, respect and empathy to his patients, their families and his coworkers. His decision to work in end of life care was in part motivated by his belief that it is a facet of medicine that, as a society, we often choose to ignore. In his words, “When there is no longer an option for cure, there is even more work to be done.”
“Born in Syria, Dr. Zetoune is committed to working with refugees, as well as hospice patients. Following the end of his fellowship program, he traveled to Greece as a pediatric volunteer to help displaced refugees. “If you are in the presence of a man or woman who is talking about his or her loss, whether in a hospice setting or in a refugee camp, you don’t have to say anything. Just listen. Our presence with that patient is what is most important, not our words,” says Dr. Zetoune.”
Watch Dr. Zetoune’s Made for this story!
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Igniting change across Women’s Health one nurse at a time
If you asked JoAnn Marzouk the secret to her successful nursing career in Women’s Health at Northwell, the answer is simple: great leadership. JoAnn started at Northwell in 2004 as a per diem Clinical Nurse Project Manager. Four titles and two degrees later, JoAnn has just been promoted to Nurse Manager at Islandia OB/GYN Contemporary Care, and she credits this accomplishment to her leaders who pushed her along the way. This progression led her to her current specialty in Women’s Health where JoAnn is helping to redefine health care with each nurse she mentors.
Transitioning to Women’s Health has JoAnn ready to take on new challenges. JoAnn’s been working in Women’s Health since 2016 when Donata Megaro hired JoAnn as a Nurse Supervisor at Women’s Comprehensive Health Center. This provided her with an opportunity to explore and learn another nursing discipline, which catapulted her career in Women’s health. This experience at WCHC has prepared JoAnn for the next step in her career.
“I am very privileged and excited to take on another new challenge in the OBGYN service line with a recent promotion to nurse manager at Contemporary Women’s Care in Islandia. Nurses have to understand that ambulatory nursing is significantly different than working in a hospital and that the responsibilities for nurses can at times be underestimated.” This is an underestimation that JoAnn is working hard to change. During her managerial time at Northwell, she hopes to be able to give new nurses the necessary skills tailored for physician practices, starting with developing strong telephone triage skills.
Starting her nursing career at Northwell
Starting her career with Northwell back in 2004 was an easy decision for JoAnn. “I could foresee the growth of the system even then,” she says, “I knew that this was a health system to be reckoned with and that they were doing things the right way.” Working per diem also provided her the flexibility to be at home with her kids.
From there, JoAnn went fulltime before she was recognized by her leader Wendy Carnel, VP, Revenue Integrity Ops, to do more project work in the hospital. Next, she was approached by her mentor, Winnie Mack, SVP, Health Systems Ops, to become the Nurse Manager at Southside for Wound Care.
“There was always that leader there to push me to the next step,” JoAnn says, “and they gave me the support and confidence that I needed to succeed.”
Continuing nursing education
Desiring to continue growing as a nurse, JoAnn enrolled in a Southside cohort to get her BSN onsite at Southside through Farmingdale University. She went on to graduate with Leadership Honors, receiving a nursing leadership award and giving the speech at graduation.
Her education didn’t stop there. JoAnn was provided an opportunity to return to school again. In another cohort environment, set up once again by Southside Hospital, JoAnn earned her Master’s Degree in Nursing through Stony Brook University in two years while still working fulltime. JoAnn feels very indebted to Tricia Lewis, Director of Nursing Education & Research at Southside Hospital for providing such an incredible opportunity for her to further her education.
As her career progressed, JoAnn was able to take her experience and education to inspire new nurses in our health system. “I take pride in identifying staff and pushing them to further their education. The reason I’m able to do that now is because someone did it for me. I’ve been able to take on new positions to continue to ignite change for new nurses
And it’s not just new nurses that JoAnn is inspiring – her own daughter has started her career with Northwell and is an assistant coordinator in Research at Zucker Hillside Hospital.
Part of building a great nursing team, means to keep learning herself. This October marks JoAnn’s next return to school. This time she’ll be working towards Doctorate in Nursing Practice, receiving tuition reimbursement from Northwell.
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Top 10 reasons to work as a nurse at Staten Island University Hospital
Thinking about working as a nurse at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH)? Let our nurses convince you why that’s the right move for your career! Here are just 10 of their many reasons to join the nursing team at Staten Island University Hospital.
1. Working in your own backyard
Located in the heart of Staten Island, nurses at SIUH enjoy an easy commute that gives them more time at home and less time on the roads!
2. Giving back to the Staten Island community
One of the most popular responses we heard was the ability to contribute back to the Staten Island community. There is a deep connection between the nurses and their patients due to the unique nature of working in the same community that you live in.
“Working at SIUH has been very rewarding for me and I have literally spent my entire adult life here. I have made lifelong friends, delivered my children here, had multiple family members here as patients over the years. It is a great feeling to live on Staten Island and care for your community.”
– Laura Wenzel, Senior Director of Maternal Child Nursing
3. Access to good benefits
Being part of a large health system like Northwell Health means access to benefits that are as unique as you are! Between health coverage, life insurance, generous paid time off, and more, we’ll make sure your life at work and away from work are fulfilling your needs.
4. Promise of delivering quality care
At Staten Island University Hospital, our nurses pride themselves on delivering the best possible care to patients. There’s an importance placed on treating your patients the same way you’d like your family to be treated and to provide care with compassion.
“As a nurse you take home many stories on a daily basis, some good some bad but they all mold you and remind you the reason you started this journey. A story that shines brighter than others, a discharged patient returned to the unit and hand delivered me a bouquet of flowers for the “difference” I made in his life in such a few shorts days.”
– Jessica Powers, Assistant Nurse Manager
5. Working as part of a dedicated team
The nursing staff at Staten Island University Hospital is as close-knit as you can get! Being able to rely on your coworkers and confidently work as a team fosters a workplace environment that feels more like family.
“Teamwork is one of the most important aspects of the ED. We could not do it without each other. There is not one particular story that relates to this. There is many. Every day we work as a team and rely on each other. We are Truly Together!”
– Steven Metcalfe, Emergency Department Nurse Manager
6. State-of-the-art hospital
With growth spanning more than 150 years, Staten Island University Hospital now boasts 714-beds across two campuses to provide some of the most innovative care on Staten Island! Work at our North campuses which house Staten Island’s most modern emergency department, a state-of-the-art education center, and a medical arts pavilion. Working at our South campus? Get access to its own emergency department and a range of specialty programs.
7. Ongoing opportunities for education and growth
Staten Island University Hospital nurses gain access to Northwell Health’s entire network of valuable resources to help continuously grow their careers. From education opportunities at the Center for Learning & Innovation to the potential to move into numerous management positions, Northwell has a path ready to help you meet your career goals.
“SIUH is a great place to work. Nurses are valued. Quality care is valued. Teamwork is valued. Education is valued. Lifelong friendships will be made when you work here. Working for the community you live in is so rewarding. For me, SIUH is like family.”
– Lauren Goldstein, Emergency Department RN
8. Supportive Leadership
Nurse leaders at Staten Island University Hospital value the opinion of every RN. In this teamwork-driven environment, our nurses can have their voices be heard and supported by their leaders to help make a difference in the workplace.
9. Pushing the envelope on care
Our dedication to delivering the best care to patients means the constant drive to embrace new medical technology, including being the only hospital on Staten Island to offer open heart surgery. Nurses at SIUH are part of a team enacting some of the most innovative care methods in the area.
10. Making a difference
When it comes to care, our nurses have the opportunity to help patients and their family beyond the bedside. The trust built between patients and nurses allows nurses to educate their patients on ways to stay healthy, and to ensure their health continues to improve beyond their stay at the hospital. Our care truly makes a difference in someone’s life.
Are you Made for nursing? We’re hiring nurses at Staten Island University Hospital now.
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An Appointment With: Kelly Cifu, MSN, RN and VP of System Perioperative Services
When it comes to PeriOperative careers at Northwell Health, there’s an environment for everyone! With 23 hospitals and more than 665 outpatient practices, nurses have the flexibility to choose the right shift and specialty opportunity. Just ask Kelly Cifu, MSN, RN and VP of System PeriOperative Services. As a nurse for more than 20 years, Kelly grew her career with Northwell to her current position where she oversees 18 periOperative sites. We sat down with Kelly to discuss her history as a nurse with Northwell, the innovative technologies changing perioperative services, and the different career opportunities that are available for nurses looking to grow their career in perioperative nursing.
Why did you come to Northwell and what is your role today?
I started my nursing career at Franklin Hospital which is now known as Long Island Jewish at Valley Stream in 1987. I grew up in Franklin Square and knew that I wanted to work someplace close to home. For the first year of my career, I worked on a Medical/Surgical floor where I took care of many postsurgical patients. At the time this was a requirement for all new staff nurses that were hired. In nursing school, I had decided that I would really enjoy working in the operating room.
After my year of Med/Surg experience, I requested a transfer into the OR. I worked as a staff nurse for about six years and then was promoted to the Director of PeriOperative Services. I later moved to CFAM Ambulatory Surgery as Senior Administrative Director and then to Regional Director of Northwell’s PeriOperative Services. Next, I was promoted to the Associate Executive Director at North Shore University Hospital and then to VP of System PeriOperative Services. In my current role, I have oversight of 18 periOperative sites.
How is Northwell’s PeriOperative Services redefining health care with truly innovative technology?
The pace of medical and surgical innovation continues to increase. A wide range of new technologies are changing the way that surgeries are performed – while improving patient safety and outcomes and reducing health care costs in the process. Northwell works to be at the forefront of innovative health care as the deployment of new technologies in surgery creates many opportunities to provide our patients with better outcomes and a faster return to their everyday lives.
What advice would you give someone looking to get into perioperative nursing?
Candidates interested in periOperative nursing must be energetic, have good people skills and a great attitude. PeriOperative nurses love the fast-paced environment and the fact that no two days are the same. In one shift, you have multiple patients facing different surgeries. Nurses also enjoy the environment because it’s a specialty area in which they typically become close with their team members and enjoy the camaraderie.
PeriOperative careers offer a great deal of flexibility. There are many different shifts that are offered to fit anyone’s schedule and there are opportunities in a variety of periOperative settings such as the main hospital, an ambulatory surgery center or even a surgeon’s office. Northwell Health has 18 main surgical sites giving nurses a variety of opportunities to choose from. There are also a multitude of opportunities for growth in this specialty area. Nurses can choose to pursue leadership or educational roles within perioperative services. Career progression/certification is encouraged and supported at every level in periOperative services.
How is Northwell committed to keeping our employees engaged?
Northwell Health System has made employee engagement a top priority. The system continuously strives to improve employee satisfaction and workplace commitment. To accomplish this the leaders at Northwell clearly define and articulate our mission and vision, communicate effectively and often, coach employees for success, and strive to provide the most trusting and respectful work environment for all employees. Along with ongoing dialogue with our employees regarding Northwell’s achievements and opportunities, perioperative services holds an annual retreat specifically for our surgical services leaders and staff.
The periOperative leaders at Northwell are committed to continual improvement, teamwork, achievement, and obtaining the best results possible for our patients.
Northwell recently became the first health system to receive the Network of Excellence in Robotic Surgery designation from Surgical Review Corporation. Can you tell us more about Northwell’s robotic surgery technology?
Since it first started to gain traction about 15 years ago, robotic surgery has become increasingly common for many different types of surgical procedures, and is rapidly expanding in cardiac, GYN, ENT, thoracic, and neurosurgery, to name a few specialties. At Northwell, there’s a continuous movement to be truly innovative, adopting the latest technology to ensure the best care for our patients. Robotic surgery has results in greater precision while also providing enhanced visualization via video images. Providing our highly skilled surgeons with robotic surgery technology results in improved outcomes with faster recovery times.
Northwell’s surgical services has grown tremendously over the past few years. How are we continuing to grow in the future?
Northwell’s periOperative services is growing fast and we continue to enhance our extensive capabilities. We strive to continue to build top-notch interdisciplinary surgical teams and professionals. Northwell continues to add operating rooms with hybrid technology and constantly invests in state-of-the art technology. We have added kidney and liver transplant to those services provided and opened a world-class heart transplant center in 2018.
Are you Made for a career at Northwell? Explore current periOperative job opportunities across our healthcare system.
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Director Cindy Ryan and Project C.A.R.E. Bring Wellness to New Heights!
Director Cindy Ryan started at South Oaks Hospital 25 years ago, and says there has always been a focus and emphasis on wellness for its staff and the surrounding community. Now as part of Northwell Health, Cindy has found amazing opportunities for her team at South Oaks to bring Northwell Health’s dedication to wellness to the great outdoors through Project C.A.R.E. (Cooperative Activities Ropes Experience) and to South Oaks employees as a Wellness Liaison.
Since 1994, Project C.A.R.E. has been offering adventure-based workshops, facilitating groups to work, think, and learn together! These programs involve a variety of activities including group cooperative challenge problems, outdoor adventure low and high ropes course elements, and other physical elements. The level of participation is, at all times, up to the individual. “We refer to this as Challenge by Choice,’” Cindy explains. “Project C.A.R.E. offers a non-traditional experiential opportunity for participants to problem solve, learn to trust themselves and each other, understand strengths and weaknesses they possess within a group and how to succeed by working as a team.”
So how does Project C.A.R.E. do it? Let’s say a Northwell Health team is struggling with effective leadership or communication and is looking to schedule a program day at Project C.A.R.E. A Project C.A.R.E. team member begins the process by completing an assessment of their needs. Some questions we ask include – What is the familiarity amongst the participants with each other? Do they work directly together? What are the goals the client hopes to achieve? What are the strengths of the team? What are the opportunities for growth and development? The information we get from this assessment allows our C.A.R.E. team to create a customized experience. This experience includes selected initiatives/activities that foster opportunities for tools and strategies of effective teamwork to present themselves. The learning occurs through group briefings, metaphors and evaluative reflection to make concrete connections between the participants’ experience and the application to other aspects of their lives. “Aha” moments can present themselves for the individuals and the team as a whole.
The wellness initiatives don’t stop with Northwell Health employees. Project C.A.R.E. extends its outreach to other corporations, non-profit organizations, schools, youth programs, church groups, and camps. “Northwell Health’s mission is to enhance the health and wellness of the individuals within the communities we serve,” Cindy added. Northwell Health has made wellness a priority for the entire health system, and that emphasis starts at the top. “Whether it be the Virgin Pulse platform that we’re using to help staff establish a level of sustainability for wellness goals, to the connection and support from corporate wellness,” Cindy said. “I really do feel, especially recently, our current internal infrastructure has been very proactive and supportive of promoting opportunity for employees to work on their personal wellness. They are 100 percent behind those initiatives. I feel I have a significant amount of support from executive leadership.”
Though there’s tremendous institutional support, Cindy believes that it’s up to individuals to utilize the resources at their fingertips and contact their onsite liaison — each Northwell Health site has one — with their wellness needs. “There is great opportunity for someone coming into the system from a wellness perspective. The Northwell Health system makes a number of resources available whether you need to focus on wellness in spirituality, fitness, nutrition, and even finance. Northwell Health has afforded its employees many opportunities and resources to make effective change.”
Explore wellness at Northwell Health!
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A Commitment to Service: Kelly Mahaffy’s Story
A passionate commitment to her patients and team has followed registered nurse and Reservist Kelly Mahaffy throughout her career at Northwell Health that spans 30 years. It’s this passion for service that helped Kelly flourish in the OR, whether it be in a Northwell hospital or during her active duty.
Kelly’s career started in Manhasset Hospital as an OR nurse in 1988, following a successful clinical there in nursing school. Here she worked for 17 years on the evening shift, enjoying the diversity the evening shift brought and focusing primarily in neurology. Her desire for travel led her to California in 2005, where she later joined the Army Reserves.
When it came time to come home, Kelly returned to Northwell, accepting a position at Glen Cove Hospital in 2009. “At Glen Cove, we’re very proud of our hospital,” says Kelly, who is still an OR nurse there today, “We know when new surgeons come in, we have one chance to get it right and we do.” We’re proud to be able to have helped Kelly grow in her career with us while she continues to serve in the reserves.
From 2017 to 2018, Kelly worked with other reservists at Womack Army Medical Center in North Carolina. Here she was part of the active duty service, taking care of active duty soldiers. During her shifts, Kelly saw firsthand the sacrifices of those in the military and their families. Working with these soldiers continually inspired Kelly. “It reminds you to be grateful for the freedoms we enjoy daily,” she shares.
While at Womack Army Medical Center, Kelly noticed the inherent loyalty and teamwork of the soldiers with pride. “You have to look out for your soldiers,” says Kelly, “you have to look out for the people you serve with.” And she’s proud to see this value reflected in Northwell’s Truly Together employees as well, “The team really pulled together and took care of my job when I went away for a whole year. I knew when I came back, they’ll have kept things running smoothly.”
Veterans like Kelly and the soldiers they serviced have sacrificed so much to serve our country. At Northwell, we’re proud that Kelly chooses to continue this spirit of service with us as a nurse. “I’m proud to serve at Northwell,” says Kelly, “I am proud to have served in North Carolina, and I am proud to still be in the Army Reserves.”
And we’re proud to have been named a Military Friendly® Employer for three years in a row, supporting veterans like Kelly and providing veteran services throughout their time with us, such as pay differentials and flexible scheduling for reservists. We’re committed to our veterans, their career transition, and their growth.
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Life at Northwell According to Janet Schaetzle
Administrative Manager and Wellness Liaison Janet Schaetzle has been with Northwell Health for 12 years managing Northwell Health Physician Partners, Neurosurgery and Spine at Great Neck and Lynbrook. But don’t think she’s managing from afar as Janet’s on the floor with her staff and she doesn’t want to leave. In order to keep her staff in top shape, wellness is a major focus. For Janet, Northwell’s culture and wellness is connected to many aspects of her life — inside her office and outside in her community.
Inside the office, Janet’s staff members focus on wellness through healthy lunches and Zumba. Janet’s staff also participated in the Walk To Dublin. They embraced their love of competition and formed a team. “We monitored each other and we still do weekly step-offs and weekend rumbles. I’ve met people and made friends in other departments through the wellness challenges,” says Janet.
That emphasis on wellness and the impact of Northwell’s culture extends from her office doors out into her community. Janet is a part of the Northwell Life Facebook group that connects employees throughout Northwell Health. From Suffolk County, to Westchester, to New York City, employees are using social media to work together on community service projects in their spare time. For example, Janet’s office donates to Meals on Wheels with four other departments. In addition, the staff will take time on a weekend to serve families at the Ronald McDonald house and share a day creating a dinner for over 80 people every year for the past 3 years. “Northwell does so much with communities to raise money for brain aneurysms, breast cancer, and more problems that affect my patients. There’s a sense that you belong to an organization that really does care,” she adds.
Janet has personally benefited from Northwell Health’s focus on employee wellness. And that begins with leadership. “Northwell brings people in from the wellness department and the EAP works with us in dealing with stress, sleep, and staying energized,” says Janet. “The staff is so into it and I’ve joined a gym since this wellness program started.” That dedication to wellness includes providing resources to help employees grow professionally. “We have so many opportunities to advance. Through the Center for Learning Innovations (CLI), we can take classes, and Northwell Health will help pay for you to continue your education.” From Dealing with Stress Management to Emotional Intelligence for Leaders to Business Writing and Computer courses, Northwell Health provides employees with classes that help them advance and nurture their professional careers.
The emphasis of community has allowed Janet to see her staff at Northwell Health as family. Many of them have been working with her for 5-10 years, with one staff member who has been with her for 23! Now, Janet’s actual family has joined her Northwell Health family. Janet’s son Josef works for LIJ Hospital. “I am so proud of his contributions that he has given in only his first year with Northwell. At Northwell Health, you’re recognized for doing great things. There really is a culture of care here and shows that we are all Made for This.”
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Calling all NPs and PAs: Meet our ACP Leadership!
We’re excited to introduce our Advanced Clinical Providers (ACP) initiative at Northwell Health! With the appointment of a new leadership team, innovative structural changes, and an updated approach that joins Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants, we’re excited to share the changes that will bring ACP’s to the next level of employee engagement and patient care. Those new changes start with our leadership, Assistant Vice Presidents Jason McGrade, PA and Jennifer Laffey, NP.
The exciting new ACP initiative includes an updated strategy and structure that brings NPs and PAs together. “Both Jason and I came from the same arena where NPs and PAs work together and there was no differentiation as we all shared the goal of providing quality care,” Jennifer explained. Jason elaborated, “We really are aligned in our goal to recruit and develop the talent and qualities of Advanced Clinical Providers. Understanding their individual passion, drive, quality, and acumen.” Senior leadership has appointed ACP physician leaders to each service line to help support and foster growth and alignment amongst our NPs and PAs.
We couldn’t have better individuals leading this change! After graduating as valedictorian from PA school, Jason spent ten years at Lenox Hill Hospital before becoming Chief PA at Manhasset in 2011, where he eventually became Director of his service line. After Jason started his MBA in 2017, he knew he wanted to become involved in creating the design architecture for an ACP community. He’ll get that opportunity in his new role as Assistant Vice President for the ACP’s.
Jennifer started in health care as an ICU nurse before she got her Master’s degree, after which she moved to North Shore University Hospital. There, she found many opportunities to develop her career such as preceptorship, mentorship, leadership and program development. Before moving to Health Solutions where she assumed a leadership position. Jennifer helped develop a team of four ACPs into a multi-disciplinary team of 50 spanning Long Island and began teaching for the Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies NP program. Now, she’s the NP, Assistant Vice President.
When it comes to joining our team of ACPs, there couldn’t be a better time than now!
“This is a great time for growth and opportunity. We are the most supported we’ve ever been and we’re continuing to develop and grow our programs and our staff,” Jennifer said. With a system as vast as Northwell Health, ACPs can achieve career advancement, explore different areas of expertise, work on exciting projects, and enjoy a true work/life balance.
Both Jason and Jennifer see the new ACP strategy as a continuation of Northwell Health’s commitment to the future of health care. “Health care is evolving and health care delivery, access to patient care, and access to service has changed over the years and certainly it’s been identified that PAs and NPs are the best vectors of that high-quality health care delivery,” Jason said. Both professions have experienced tremendous growth with the support from Northwell Health. According to Jennifer, ACP’s are answering a need in the health care community, “The real goal is elevation within the roles and that impacts overall health care delivery. Especially as health care changes and the landscape changes, we fill the gap to deliver the highest quality of care.”
The new ACP vision and initiatives are an exciting new addition to Northwell Health and will have support from the largest health system in New York State (that’s us!). Creating an innovative program like this is a challenge that we’re Made for. Jennifer puts it best, “We are a leader in providing transformational care and management to patients. There are a lot of opportunities to advance.”
Are you Made for redefining how we deliver care? Check back soon for some more exciting announcements about our new ACP initiative.
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A Pulse Check on Healthcare Careers: Q&A with our SVP & Chief People Officer Joseph Moscola
For the first time in history, healthcare was the largest source of U.S. jobs for the last quarter in 2017. With job opportunities in healthcare surpassing both retail and manufacturing, there’s never been a better time to start your career with Northwell. We checked in with our SVP and Chief People Officer Joseph Moscola to see how and where Northwell’s careers are booming amidst the growing demand across the industry.
Careers: With unemployment at 4.1%, Northwell Health is still hiring over 200 people each week ranging from clerical to clinical administrative. Why does Northwell’s career opportunity continue to be so prevalent?
Joseph Moscola: I think we are seeing two factors at play. The number of jobs in healthcare is growing, a trend that has continued for the past couple of years and will continue in years to come. As the Baby Boomers reach their senior years and the population ages, there are going to be more and more opportunities in healthcare. The second factor is the growing brand of Northwell as well as our growing reputation as an employer of choice. In 2018, we were named one of Fortune’s Best Places to Work in Health Care and BioPharma.
C: In March, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said that healthcare added 22,000 jobs and that the biggest gain was in ambulatory health care services. At Northwell, our ambulatory care is growing. Why does ambulatory continue to be a top need, what positions are we looking to hire for and how is it impacting care and careers in our communities?
JM: Care continues to shift out of the hospital and into the ambulatory space. This is a result of better technology, less invasive treatment options available to patients and healthcare plan incentives. We’re always looking for RNs, Revenue Cycle roles, Medical Office Assistants and Advanced Clinical Providers (ACPs). We’re able to take a more holistic approach to the patient and bring the highest quality of care to our communities, including our own team members. It also opens up more opportunities for different careers within the community.
C: What are some other growing areas at Northwell that candidates should watch out for and why?
JM: We continue to see growing opportunities for ACPs, RNs, home health aides and roles in perioperative care. As care continues to transition from the hospital to ambulatory facilities and to the home, we will continue to see a growth in support service type roles. Also, with advancements in technology and a focus on finding data driven solutions, roles in healthcare IT will be more in demand. There will be more and more of a need for analysts, data scientists, software engineers and computer programmers.
C: For students looking to go into healthcare sector, what are the jobs you recommend they consider?
JM: There are some really great opportunities to start your career in healthcare before you’ve earned your college degree. If you are looking to enter the workforce sooner, you can begin with a “Middle Skills” position, including specialty technicians such as EEG, EKG, surgical techs, sterile processing techs, radiology techs and careers as medical assistants and phlebotomists, etc. There are many benefits to starting your career in one of these high-demand jobs and opportunities for advancement and different career paths you can take from initial hire.
C: How does Northwell retain employees and allow them to grow within the health system?
JM: We retain our team members and encourage their growth by creating a positive and rewarding work environment where team members are empowered to challenge the status quo. This is not a normal 9 to 5. Our team members are flexible, hardworking and not afraid to push boundaries to go the extra mile for our colleagues, our patients and their families. This is a calling and our team members truly feel that when they are at Northwell.
C: One piece of advice for anyone looking to go into a healthcare career.
JM: Healthcare is the one industry where all types of professions have the common goal of caring for people, patients and communities. Whatever you want to do, whatever path you choose to take, can be done in healthcare. Most importantly follow your passion!
Are you Made for a career at Northwell? Explore current job opportunities across our healthcare system.
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Students dive deep into health care administration in unique internship
Summer’s nearly here and that means it’s time for our Healthcare Management Program (HMP) Interns to arrive. Over the course of the next 8 weeks, 24 talented college juniors will work with Northwell Health’s professionals to gain invaluable skills to advance their careers.
With this year’s program received more than 900 applicants from across the country, only 24 of the nation’s most promising students were selected for the program. These ambitious juniors traveled from schools as far as Stanford University to as close as Hofstra University. Other students came from universities like Georgetown, UVA, Cornell, Colgate, Rochester, and UPenn to intern at our 18 participating sites. These locations offer diverse experience in tertiary hospitals, community hospitals, specialty hospitals and service lines across Long Island, Queens, NYC, Staten Island and Westchester.
Interns competed in team building challenges during orientation. Here’s our winning team celebrating their victory!
This isn’t your typical internship. Our interns will be pushed to fully immerse themselves in hospital operations. Nowhere else in healthcare will interns have the unique opportunity to work with senior leadership and finish projects that will help build efficiency for years to come. Students will learn to take initiative, how to work independently, and how to navigate the complexities of a changing health care landscape — no coffee orders and basic filing here!
Outside of their internship, the HMP interns will also receive key networking opportunities to fill their summer with powerful opportunities. Between events like informative lunch and learns to our Healthcare Management Program Alumni dinner, interns will grow their skillset on and off site. Interns are even scheduled to take on New York City as a whole in an exciting team building day trip!
And their unique Northwell Health experience doesn’t have to end with the summer. Interns from the Healthcare Management Program are the perfect candidates for its sister program, our Management Associate Program (MAP). MAP gives new post-graduates the full experience of healthcare management, with some HMP interns ending the the summer knowing they will have a full-time job after graduating. This highly competitive two year program helps talented individuals forge an early path into healthcare management and develops them into effective leaders. Last year, 12 HMP interns were hired into full-time MAP positions!
One summer can help set these ambitious interns up for long-term success. Take it from former HMP intern and current Sr Associate in Financial & Operations Management at North Shore University Hospital, Kate Van Der Sloot , “HMP provided me the technical skills, mentorship, and opportunities for professional development that I have always dreamed of having. By arming me with these resources and support early in my career, Northwell Health has given me the tools and path to become a future leader in healthcare.”
We checked in with some of our interns after their first week. Check out their first impressions below!
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Bringing culinary excellence and nutrition to the health care table
Hospital cafeterias serving fresh, local, nutritious meals? Now, that’s an ambitious order.
Until now.
Under the bold and delicious vision of Northwell Health’s VP of System Food Services Corporate Michelin Chef, Bruno Tison, the recipe for hospital food as you once knew it has changed. Michelin Chef Tison, along with other award-winning Michelin chefs like Andrew Cain, is helping Northwell Health redefine the culinary experience for patients, their families, and Northwell employees.
“I want to help cook better food for people who really need it,” says Chef Tison, “Northwell Health is a pioneer for redefining hospital food for 23 hospitals.”
A recipe for culinary success.
A native of northern France, Chef Bruno Tison began his culinary education at Belgium’s prestigious Institut Technique Des Metiers De L’Alimentation, where he graduated with highest honors and was awarded first prize for excellence in culinary achievement. His more than 30 years of experience includes serving as Executive Chef of the legendary Plaza Hotel in New York City. Chef Tison’s nouvelle cuisine has earned critical acclaim. Most recently, his leadership enabled the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa in California to receive the celebrated Michelin Star recognition for three consecutive years.
Chef Andrew Cain started working under an executive chef at the age of 15, received a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Restaurant Management and went to work at the Fairmont with Chef Tison 10 years ago. They’ve made a great team ever since. This relationship is now helping to dramatically elevate Northwell Health’s food experience.
The two believe that crafting delicious meals shouldn’t change by location. “Whether it’s a patient in a bed, or a person in the restaurant,” says Chef Cain, “when it comes to cooking great food, you truly have to care about it.”
Redefining the culinary experience.
Having reached the pinnacle of the culinary profession, Chefs Tison and Cain were looking for a new challenge and the opportunity to bring the highest level of culinary expression not just to people who could “afford it” but to people who truly needed it, people whose lives could be changed by a world-class food experience.
That’s why Chef Tison joined Northwell Health and later brought Chef Cain onboard, with Chef Tison stating, “I came to Northwell because they are very serious about making this shift in the healthcare food industry happen.”
Chef Tison has championed a number of important initiatives for Northwell’s culinary efforts:
Bring outstanding talent from the outside and retrain existing chefs.
Having worked with Chef Tison for 10+ years, Chef Andrew Cain shared his passion for elevating the food experience for people who genuinely need it. With a background in Four- and Five-Star restaurants in New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., Chef Cain is helping Chef Tison bring a Michelin-inspired sensibility to Northwell Health. Northwell is also partnering with the Culinary Institute of America to attract the next generation of great chefs.
Kitchen reengineering.
Knowing that Northwell is a place known for the most innovative clinical technology, Chef Tison is bringing this same commitment to modernizing the food service area.
Higher quality food.
This includes fresh, locally-sourced food instead of frozen, replacing instant coffee with fresh coffee, getting rid of candies/sugar and eliminating processed food.
Chef Tison’s ultimate goal is to deliver restaurant-quality food to patients, families and staff. “It’s a new frontier,” says Chef Tison, “and that’s exciting for new and tenured chefs alike.” He even has an eye on applying for inclusion in the Michelin Guide!
If you’d like to be part of an organization with this kind of bold, visionary leadership, take a look at Northwell Health Careers in Food Service.
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Employee Spotlight: Melinda Nasti on wellness and caring for the caregivers
Meet Program Manager for Chaplaincy Operations and Manager of Wellness Melinda Nasti. She’s been with Northwell Health for 10 years and her work has led to wellness becoming an important part of our employees’ daily lives. We talked to her about her journey, her motivation, and the simple steps we can take to improve our own mental health.
Q: Tell us about your role and how Northwell has helped you in your career journey:
Melinda: When I came to Northwell Health to train as a Chaplain, I already had a career in wellness as a Reiki Practitioner. As a Chaplain I realized that if you could support staff wellness you would not only be caring for them, you would also be improving their patients’ care. I began to offer Reiki and Guided Imagery to staff. Now I work with both the Chaplaincy and Wellness teams. As Chaplains we support the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of our patients, family and staff.
Q: What should people know about the work you’re doing to improve employee wellness?
Melinda: My wellness sessions include Reiki, Guided Imagery, Aromatherapy and Community Building. Reiki is hands-on natural energy healing. Both Reiki and Guided Imagery bring about a peaceful, deep state of relaxation, stress reduction and symptom relief.
I also do team community building if there’s been a staff death, multiple patient deaths in a short period of time, a conflict within a team, or simply to support staff wellbeing. Components of the retreat may include Reiki, Guided Imagery, Trust Walks, rituals and time for sharing. Teams may reconnect to why they came to work in health care and hear a little bit of each other’s stories in a safe space.
I try to transform the workspace into something more tranquil for the workshops – a serenity room. I layer it with aromatherapy, candles and soothing music. Sometimes staffs think they’re coming into a meeting and when they see the space, they immediately begin to relax.
Q: What kinds of opportunities are available at Northwell that you’ve found helpful?
Melinda: Northwell is very passionate about supporting employee wellbeing. Employee Wellness offers so many opportunities including Healthy Choices in the cafeterias, farmers markets, teaching kitchens, online self-help modules, and creating walking trails and workshops including everything from improving sleep to aging gracefully. And of course there is our system-wide walking challenge the “Walk to Dublin!”
Q: Why is wellness important to you?
Melinda: As a Chaplain, I’ve been on the front lines and seen how challenging the work is. By nature, people in health care are caregivers. They take care of everyone else but sometimes the self-care piece is lacking.
I was working with the night shift when a patient on a cancer floor walked by with his IV pole. He asked who I was and I said, “I am Chaplain Melinda.” He said “YOU’RE Melinda? I’d like to thank you. I don’t know what you did with the staff tonight, but whatever it was, I got the benefit.” In all the years I’ve been doing this that was the most rewarding moment I’ve ever had. It was evidence that when we take care of ourselves that care is passed on to our patients.
Q: What advice would you give people to improve their wellness?
Melinda: I’m a really big believer in the small things. There are some very simple breathing techniques: Stop, close your eyes and focus on your breath for a few moments.
If you cannot leave the workplace for lunch, swap desks with someone so that neither of you can reach your phones. Eat intentionally and pay attention to your food. Swap out just one unhealthy food for a healthy one. Lower the lights for a few minutes or shut the computer screen to give your eyes a break. Go outside and feel the sunshine on your face. Take a moment to think about everything you are accomplishing rather than focus on your do to list. Close your eyes and think about something or someone you are grateful for. These are small things that will improve your overall wellness.
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© 2021 - Northwell Health
Click here to view the “EEO is the law” poster.
It is Northwell Health’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity and treat all applicants and employees equally regardless of their age, race, creed/religion, color, national origin, immigration status or citizenship status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, pregnancy, genetic information or genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital or familial status, partnership status, victim of domestic violence, sexual or other reproductive health decisions, or other characteristics protected by applicable law.
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