Northwell named a Fortune Best Workplace for Diversity

For the third straight year, Northwell Health has been named one of America’s most diverse companies by Fortune magazine and the lone New York health care organization to make the 2019 list.

Northwell ranks 69th on Fortune’s annual 100 Best Workplaces for Diversity, a partnership between Fortune and Great Place to Work that measures how well organizations create inclusive cultures for women, different cultural and ethnic communities, the LGBTQIA+ community, older employees and workers with disabilities.

Northwell Health, New York State’s largest health system with 70,000 employees, operates about 750 outpatient facilities, including over 200 primary care practices and 23 hospitals. The health system moved up 11 spots from Fortune’s 2018 rankings based, in part, because 82 percent of surveyed employees called Northwell a great place to work.

“We are honored to be included again this year in Fortune as a Best Workplace for Diversity,” said Jennifer Mieres, MD, senior vice president of Northwell’s Center for Equity of Care and the health system’s chief diversity and inclusion officer. “At Northwell, we are committed to fostering and maintaining an inclusive work place culture, advancing the integration of diversity and health equity into our health care delivery model.”

91 percent of employees feel good about Northwell’s contributions to the community

Dr. Mieres’ cited a diverse workforce which informs and improves Northwell’s understanding of the health care needs of the communities it serves. Half of Northwell’s workforce is made up of the historically underrepresented and 72 percent are women, according to Fortune’s diversity survey.

“This recognition validates the journey we are on and the manner in which we accomplish it. It lives and breathes in the values of Northwell and the 70,000 strong who personify it,” said Joseph Moscola, senior vice president and chief people officer.

Fortune relied on employee surveys as part of its criteria. Among the employee-based findings:

• 91 percent felt good about the ways Northwell contributed to the community;
• 90 percent were proud to tell others they work at Northwell;
• 89 percent had a sense of pride in work accomplishments
• 89 percent said they felt welcomed when they joined Northwell;
• 87 percent believe people were given ample responsibility.

The Best Places to Work certification qualifies Northwell for several workplace-quality lists, including the Fortune 100 Best Places to Work and other credentialed lists for millennials, women, and other industry-specific lists.

Are you Made for working at one of Fortune’s 100 Best Workplaces for Diversity? Apply today!

What you didn’t know about Cytology and why you should consider it as a laboratory science career

When it comes to how patients are diagnosed, cytology plays a huge role. At Northwell Health, laboratory technologists and technicians who work in our state-of-the-art laboratories are very instrumental in our success. They are responsible for preparing cytology specimens for microscopic evaluation by Cytotechnologists and Cytopathologists in detecting infections, premalignant and malignant conditions.

So, in preparing for a laboratory career in Cytology, what should you know? Here’s a shortlist of what you can expect your responsibilities would be:

1. Preparing slides from patient samples for examination.
2. Evaluate the quality slides for microscopic review.
3. Working closely with Cytotechnologists and Cytopathologists.
4. Using the latest and most innovative instruments and technology like Cytospin, Centrifuges, Hologic T2000, Hologic T5000, Automatic stainers, Automatic coverslippers, Slide printing and Hologic Imagers to deliver results that make a difference.
5. Processing specimens, particularly for patient clinical care and research.
6. Upholding the highest quality of care to the community you serve.
7. Collaborating with a talented team of ambitious individuals like you!

Choosing to go into this profession could be life-changing, not only for you but also for the patients you help so they receive the treatment they need to be in better health. As a Cytopathology lab technician, Diane Wieczorek, stated, “It’s a very rewarding experience since you know you are helping with a patient’s diagnosis and life. If I had to do it over again I wouldn’t change a thing, and as a lab technician that’s an achievement to myself.”

Explore Cytology laboratory careers at Northwell by visiting here.

Northwell Health Wellness Recap for 2019

At Northwell Health, we know that wellness starts with our team members. By focusing on our employees’ wellness, we’re delivering a healthy, engaged workforce and a culture of well-being. With system-wide walk challenges, food and nutrition transformations, well-being programs and online resources, we’re constantly working to build on our commitment to our employee’s health. 

Take a look at how we’ve helped our team members in 2019:

Child life specialists help kids be kids

Four-hour blood transfusions used to tax 14-year-old Akayllah McEwan’s mind as much as her body. While the healthy red blood cells pumped into her body treated her sickle cell disease, she struggled with the scourge of adolescence: boredom.

Then Child Life Specialist Sammy Sherman taught Akayllah to make “Blood Soup,” mixing water, red food coloring, marshmallows, red hot candies and toffees in mason jars to illustrate sickle cell disease’s effect on a cellular level and what the transfusions do to help her.

“I wanted to eat the food,” Akayllah giggled, then acknowledged, “I always kind of understood why I needed the transfusions. Sammy made it specific for me.”

Supporting patients and their families

At Cohen Children’s Medical Center, Sammy is one of two certified child life specialists in the hematology-oncology division who accompany kids from diagnosis through treatment. Since 2014, her position has been funded by a generous gift from Delta Air Lines.

Over the past decade, Delta has contributed more than $2 million to Cohen Children’s Medical Center. “Child Life is one of the programs not covered by health insurance,” explained Tricia Rumola, Delta Air Lines’ general manager of Community Engagement. “We hope our support will help families and patients have a sense of comfort going through an incredibly difficult time in their lives.”

Helping kids overcome fear and embrace hope

Delta’s sponsorship of Sammy’s position helps kids overcome fears and anxieties and learn to cope with challenging medical experiences. “My goal is to empower patients and families,” said Sammy, who holds a master’s degree in child life.

She uses Surgi Dolls and makes treatments more relateable to patients by helping them understand hospital equipment through therapeutic activities. Sammy also supports kids when they receive a terminal diagnosis, giving them space to enjoy time with their family, and feel like kids who happen to be sick — not sick kids.

“Sammy has an extraordinary ability to connect with children,” said Cynthia Rodriguez, Child Life and Creative Arts Therapy Program director. “While they may think they are just having fun with Sammy, she is undoubtedly teaching them, supporting them, and helping them to learn how to navigate their journey successfully.”

Sammy also connects patients with each other since they have limited opportunities to socialize with other kids. She started a monthly newsletter where they can submit jokes, stories and artwork to express themselves.

“Sammy is my go-to person at the hospital,” said Akayllah. “She takes my mind off of the transfusion and makes the hospital a normal area where I can be myself.”

“Sammy is really doing the work that is her life’s calling,” said Tricia. “Delta couldn’t be prouder to have our name connected to Sammy and the work she is doing.”

Meet Truly Ambitious Physician Assistant, Christopher Anderson

This post is part of a blog series highlighting Northwell Health’s Advanced Clinical Providers (ACP). Each Northwell Health employee was nominated by their manager as an individual who exemplifies a Northwell Health value.

This month, we’re proud to introduce you to the Truly Ambitious Christopher Anderson. Chris’s journey at Northwell began in 2013 when he joined Southside Hospital in his first leadership role as a supervising PA for the Acute Care Surgery Team. Chris then moved to the role of assistant director for PA Services. Today, you’ll find him making a true impact in his current role at Lenox Hill Hospital as the senior administrative director of PA Services.

Recently, Chris represented his profession, and Northwell, as a speaker at the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Executive Leadership Conference.  His lecture titled, “NP/PA and Physician Leadership Team: It Takes Two to Tango,” addressed fostering the partnership of caregivers across the clinical team.  “Physicians have been a large part of my clinical and administrative career growth, and their experiences and mentorship are pivotal in anyone’s growth,” he says. “All clinical team members must remain partners, as the synergistic nature to these interdisciplinary teams is key for high-quality patient care.”

Beyond presenting opportunities, Chris is excited about Northwell’s ACP training and fellowship programs where PAs and NPs are educated and mentored to help them take the next step in their career toward a specific specialty. At Northwell, he feels that “opportunities are endless and, most importantly, fully supported. It’s creating growth of the PA profession and for those looking to transform their careers into any direction they choose in healthcare.”

It’s programs like these that give Chris a great appreciation for Northwell’s emphasis on professional development and career growth: “The opportunities, mentorship, and leadership development programs offered are like no other place that I have worked before. Northwell strives to be a leader and the actions they demonstrate on the development of employees have proven results. I’ve been able to take classes on leadership and six sigma at Northwell’s Center for Learning and Innovation. They also afforded me the opportunity to obtain an advanced degree (MBA) with tuition reimbursement assistance.”

Northwell Relay: The big bike ride — from tragedy to positive action

In health care, we face the realities of life and death every day — it’s what we’re made for — but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t affect us. In June 2019, employees in the Department of Population Health lost a colleague, friend and member of the Northwell family.

Their team member passed away at the age of 38, leaving behind three young children. While many knew about her health condition, the news was still a shock for her colleagues for whom she’d been a part of daily life for over five years.

Honoring a legacy and building a better future

While her colleagues struggled with this tremendous loss, they were soon inspired to take positive action.Three senior leaders set up a sponsored bike ride from Northwell’s corporate office in New Hyde Park, NY, to Montauk, to raise funds for Northwell’s Employee Assistance Program, which helps employees and their families in times of need.

Kris Smith, MD, Northwell’s senior vice president of Population Health joined forces with Michael Gitman, MD, medical director of North Shore University Hospital and David Hirschwerk, MD, executive vice chair of Clinical Operations for North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center Department of Medicine. Together they rode the 120-mile trip as a tribute to Fabiola and to show What matters most and what Northwell is made of.

Inspiring others to go above and beyond

The ride inspired team members across Northwell to get involved.  “Our Northwell family pulls together to support one another,” says Michael Dowling, Northwell’s president and CEO. “Even in the worst of times, we find a way forward and take positive action.”

Kris says, “Going the extra mile (or 120) is an intrinsic part of who we are. It was a challenge, physically and emotionally, but we wanted to demonstrate to the organization that after we grieve, once we reflect — we pick ourselves up and fight on.”

Northwell’s What matters most employee giving program offers our employees a variety of ways to advance Northwell’s mission — all while providing critical support to the area that matters most to each individual employee donor.