Celebrating Black History Month

This Black History Month, we are spotlighting two of our African American/Caribbean Bridges BERG (Business Employee Resource Group) team members, Tracy Clouden and Aisha Johnson. Discover how they are committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging and find success in their career journeys at Northwell.

Tracy Clouden, Director, Customer Service, Revenue Cycle

Tracy joined Northwell in 2010 as a business manager, where she ensured accurate posting of insurance and patient payments. In 2014, Tracy began working as an assistant director of customer service in revenue cycle, where she implemented initiatives that enhanced patient experience and streamlined revenue service processes. These positions broadened her knowledge and ignited her passion for customer service which led her to become a director of customer service in 2022. Tracy attributes her dedication to operational excellence and enhancing patient experience to what led to her current role. In this leadership position, Tracy oversees multiple call centers, ensuring that billing inquiries are handled efficiently and timely. “Northwell’s collaborative and inclusive work environment, along with the organization’s commitment to professional development, assures me that I can grow my career while contributing to a team that truly cares about the communities it serves,“ Tracy said.

Tracy is also committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging through advocacy — ensuring her community’s voice is heard and valued. She joined the African American/Caribbean Bridges BERG to grow her network and to enhance her career, both professionally and personally. She emphasizes how the BERG helps foster connection and belonging by allowing her to contribute to a positive workplace culture with individuals who provide a supportive environment. This year’s African American/Caribbean Bridges BERG theme for Black History Month is Powerful Past and a Brighter Future. This theme is meaningful to Tracy and relates to her career at Northwell. This Black History Month, Tracy reflects on her role at Northwell and how she contributes to building a brighter future. “This theme motivates me to contribute even more to positive change in both my professional and personal life. I am proud to support initiatives that aim to promote equality and empowerment,” said Tracy.

Aisha Johnson, Scheduler, Endoscopy and Perioperative Services, North Shore University Hospital

Aisha began her career at Northwell in 2007 as an inpatient secretary at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH). She advanced in her career, serving as a surgical coordinator in 2020 for neurosurgery. In this role, she established strong relationships with physicians, supervisors and colleagues which led her to a senior administrative support coordinator role in 2022, then her current role as a perioperative scheduler in 2025. Currently, in her role, Aisha coordinates operating room and endoscopy schedules at NSUH, acting as a liaison among outpatient offices, medical staff and hospital services.

Aisha highlights the African American/Caribbean Bridges BERG’s impact on her career journey, explaining that it provided essential networking opportunities and made her a more well-rounded team member. “Joining the BERG has allowed me the opportunity to connect with people I may not have otherwise had the opportunity to meet at my day-to-day job,” she says. “The BERGs are a way to help me ‘refill my cup’ when I need it most.” Like Tracy, Aisha is also committed to fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging through networking and strengthening personal and professional connections with other BERG members. Like Tracy, Aisha feels that this year’s theme of Powerful Past and a Brighter Future, relates to her career. “To me, this is a time to reflect upon our growth as a nation, and our growth at Northwell. This is an opportunity to remember all that we have accomplished and think about how we can contribute to building a brighter future,” said Aisha. This month, our African American/Caribbean Bridges BERG members are actively participating in events designed to further connect and uplift the community. These activities include virtual networking sessions, membership gatherings, fireside chats, and volunteering opportunities in the community. The BERG is also hosting a Black History Month Walk/Run to encourage health and wellness, foster connection within the Black community, and highlight the importance of representation in our communities.

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

Two paths to perfusion: Meet Danielle and Robert

At Northwell Health, our team members are dedicated to the well-being of our patients and the communities we serve. Our perfusionists are an integral part of patient care before and during surgery with responsibilities that include monitoring, preparing and operating extracorporeal circulation equipment. Learn more about Danielle and Robert’s career paths to becoming perfusionists at Northwell’s North Shore University Hospital (NSUH).

From respiratory therapist to perfusionist, meet Danielle

Danielle Castellano began her career with Northwell in 2018 as a respiratory therapist. She worked in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit (ICU) where she became interested in perfusion. In 2023, Danielle was accepted into a master’s program for cardiovascular sciences in perfusion medicine. While attending classes and clinical rotations, Danielle continued working per diem as a respiratory therapist at Huntington Hospital.

In 2025, she graduated from the program and began working as a full-time cardiovascular perfusionist at NSUH. “Northwell’s emphasis on professional growth helped guide my transition into a perfusionist role and my continued growth within the organization,” said Danielle. As a perfusionist, Danielle operates the heart-lung bypass machine during cardiac surgeries, temporarily taking over a patient’s heart and lung functions to create a bloodless surgical field. She monitors and manages physiological parameters, including blood flow, blood pressure and oxygenation. Danielle also collaborates with surgical teams to anticipate surgery needs, respond to changes and manages extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for patients requiring advanced cardiac or respiratory support.

From laboratory accessioner to perfusionist, meet Robert

In 2016, Robert Lorandini began his career at Northwell as a laboratory accessioner where he received, verified and prepared patient samples for testing. With the help of Northwell’s tuition reimbursement program, Robert was able to work in the laboratory and simultaneously complete his prerequisites for perfusion school. “Northwell’s investment in my studies along with strong mentorship from my leaders and team members helped me transition into a career in perfusion,” said Robert. While in school to become a perfusionist, Robert began a perfusion clinical rotation at NSUH in 2018, which helped him build foundational skills and confidence in the cardiac operating room.

In 2019, Robert completed school and started working as a staff perfusionist at NSUH. Currently, he manages cardiopulmonary bypass and supports complex cardiac procedures in collaboration with the surgical team. In 2021, Robert began working in a student coordinator role, where he mentors and guides perfusion students while also working as a perfusionist himself.

Through educational and professional opportunities offered at Northwell, our team members, like Danielle and Robert, feel supported to grow in their careers while contributing to our mission of providing outstanding care for our patients.

Discover a career well cared for in perfusion at Northwell Health today.

Explore two different career paths in respiratory care at Northwell Health

At Northwell, we believe your career should provide continuous opportunities for growth and support. That’s why we invest in our team members with robust benefits packages, flexible programs that promote well-being and work-life balance, and ongoing learning and development resources. When you explore a career well cared for in respiratory therapy, you’ll discover opportunities to strengthen your clinical expertise by pursuing advanced certifications or taking on new specialties or growing into a leadership role. You can get your start in a role such as a respiratory therapist.

Respiratory therapists help people who are struggling to breathe due to illness or injury. They deliver breathing treatments ordered by a physician and manage the machines and equipment that support patients’ lungs.

Here are the qualifications required for a respiratory therapist at Northwell:

• Associate’s degree required, or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Current license to practice as a respiratory therapist in New York State, and current Respiratory Therapist (NBRC) Certification in New York State required, plus specialized certifications as needed.
• One (1) to three (3) years of relevant experience, required.

Ready to explore a career in respiratory therapy at Northwell? Below, see how Darlene and Romy took different paths, demonstrating how a starting role in respiratory care can unlock many career paths within Northwell.

For the complete job profiles of each role, we invite you to visit NorthwellCareers.com or view our available respiratory therapy roles here.

Darlene’s Career Path

• 1988 – Certified Respiratory Therapist, South Shore University Hospital
• 1990 – Registered Respiratory Therapist, South Shore University Hospital
• 2013 – Certified Asthma Educator, South Shore University Hospital
• 2015 – Respiratory Therapy Assessor, South Shore University Hospital
• Current position – Clinical Coordinator, Pulmonary Rehabilitation South Shore University Hospital

Romy’s Career Path

• 2015 – Night Supervisor, Respiratory Care, Long Island Jewish Forest Hills
• 2018 – Manager, Respiratory Care, Long Island Jewish Forest Hills
• 2021 – Senior Manager, Respiratory Care, Long Island Jewish Forest Hills
• Current position – Director, Respiratory Care, Long Island Jewish Forest Hills

Discover Kelly’s career journey as a nurse manager of perioperative services at Northwell Health’s North Shore University Hospital

Kelly MacGilvray grew her skills and advanced her career with the support of her leaders and clinical development from an OR RN fellow to an OR nurse manager at Northwell Health’s North Shore University Hospital (NSUH).

Kelly began her career with Northwell in 2018 as an OR RN fellow at NSUH. There, she gained hands-on clinical experience assisting with surgical procedures, preparing the operating room, and ensuring patient safety. In addition, Kelly learned more about surgical techniques, how to accurately document procedures, and how to communicate effectively in the operating room through collaboration with her team. This set the foundation for Kelly to begin her next role as a staff OR RN at NSUH.

As a staff OR RN, Kelly prepared the operating room, assisted the surgical team and ensured all equipment, supplies and environments were sterile. She closely monitored the patient’s condition before, during and after surgery, kept records of procedures, and worked with the operating room staff to ensure efficiency and top-tier patient care.

Kelly felt like her leaders invested in her growth and created pathways for opportunity. “From the beginning, I realized Northwell is an organization where nurses could experience long, meaningful careers,” said Kelly. “The supportive environment in NSUH’s OR and the commitment to innovative patient care made Northwell a place where I knew I could build my career.”

This led Kelly to her next role as an OR assistant nurse manager specializing in orthopedic surgery in 2023. In this position, Kelly assisted with leading and managing OR nurses and surgical technologists by ensuring the OR is properly staffed and the team is trained for surgeries. She also advocated for patient needs and ensured all ORs were equipped with the necessary equipment and adhered to all safety and hygiene standards. Subsequently, Kelly was promoted to OR nurse manager in 2025, also specializing in orthopedic surgery.

As a nurse manager, Kelly oversees the OR’s daily operations, ensuring surgical procedures are efficiently scheduled and that equipment and supplies are available. She manages and supports nursing staff and provides guidance, training, and evaluations to ensure a high standard of care. Kelly is proud of her achievements during her time at Northwell, especially her career progression and her growth into a leadership role. “From my OR fellowship to my transition through leadership roles, my leaders at Northwell have always encouraged me to take on new challenges and build my skills,” said Kelly. “The guidance and resources Northwell provided me have shaped my career and prepared me to be a nurse manager.”

As a mentor for the nurses in NSUH’s operating room, she offers advice to those looking to grow their career, “Stay curious and do not be afraid to ask questions. Be eager to learn at every stage of your career. There is something new to learn every day.”

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

From specialty pharmacist to operations manager: Sherry’s career path at Northwell’s VIVOHealth Pharmacy

At Northwell‘s VIVOHealth Pharmacy, our team members are unified in their mission to deliver top-quality care for our patients’ medication needs. Responsible for medication preparation to distribution, our team is essential to supporting the well-being of the communities we serve.

Sherry Rizkalla began her career journey at Northwell Health in 2018 as a specialty pharmacist at VIVOHealth Pharmacy. In this role, she managed medication for patients with chronic or rare diseases, providing education on treatments and medications and their side effects. Sherry also collaborated with her colleagues and served as a patient advocate to ensure patients had accessible, specialized care.

In 2020, as a supervisor of specialty pharmacy at VIVOHealth Pharmacy, she managed a team of specialty pharmacists and oversaw medication management, patient education, safety and compliance, while facilitating patient access and care coordination with external providers.

Today, Sherry is working as a manager of specialty pharmacy operations. She now oversees specialty pharmacy operations for three VIVOHealth Pharmacy locations, two on Long Island and one in Queens, New York, which offer personalized support for patients with various conditions and their medication needs.

Sherry credits the tools and opportunities she has received at Northwell to grow in her career, from leadership development programs to growing her skillset. Sherry loves working at Northwell and is motivated to contribute to our mission of providing outstanding care to patients. She is also grateful for the opportunity to contribute to Northwell’s patient management program, which provides comprehensive support for patients for specialty medications, including financial assistance and clinical education. “This allows us to make a real difference in [our patients’] lives. It’s a privilege to practice at the highest level of our profession,” shared Sherry.

Our pharmacy team members can benefit from educational and professional opportunities including access to the Pharmacy Technician University. Discover a career well cared for in pharmacy at Northwell Health’s VIVOHealth Pharmacy today.

Explore two different career paths as an imaging professional at Northwell Health.

At Northwell, we believe your career should have ongoing opportunities for professional growth. We invest in our team members by offering resources from comprehensive well-being programs to providing ongoing professional development. When you explore a career well cared for in imaging, you’ll find a fulfilling career path with opportunities to expand your clinical skills, pursue new certifications and advance your career. You can get your start in a role such as a radiology technologist.

Radiology technologists operate X-ray equipment to make radiographs of designated portions of the body. They also perform quality control checks and maintain required documentation.

Here are the qualifications required for a radiology technologist at Northwell:

• Vocational or technical school diploma is required.
• Current license to practice as a radiology technologist in New York State is required.
• Current ARRT radiology registration is required.
• One to three (1-3) years of technical experience is required.

Ready to explore a career in imaging at Northwell? Below, learn how you can begin your journey and see how Deanna and Frank took different paths. Their inspiring career journeys demonstrate how a starting role as a radiologic technologist can unlock many career paths as an imaging professional within Northwell.

For the complete job profiles of each role, we invite you to visit NorthwellCareers.com or view our available imaging roles here.

Deanna

• 2015 – Radiologic Technologist, Cohen Children’s Medical Center
• 2016 – Radiologic Technologist, Long Island Jewish Medical Center
• 2019 – Lead Radiology Technologist, Long Island Jewish Medical Center
• Current position – Manager, Imaging Services, Plainview Hospital

Frank

• 2002 – Radiologic Technologist, Plainview Hospital
• 2007 – CT Technologist, Plainview Hospital
• 2013 – Interventional Technologist, Plainview Hospital
• 2016 – Imaging Supervisor, The Bay Shore Imaging Center
• Current position – Manager, Imaging Services, Bay Shore, Great South Bay Imaging and Grossman Imaging