Northwell Health named one of Glassdoor’s best 100 places to work

At Northwell Health, we’re committed to creating careers well cared for and fostering a culture that makes our 75,000+ team members love coming to work. That’s why we’re proud to announce we’ve been honored with a Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award, ranking among the 100 best companies in the nation to work for in 2021.

To determine winners of this award, Glassdoor looks not to nominations but instead directly to the people who work there. Winners are chosen based on the feedback offered voluntary and anonymously on their site, one of the largest job and recruiting sites in the world. Reviews range from topics such as leadership, the job itself, benefits, work environments and more.

We’re so grateful to our team members for sharing their valuable feedback that helped us receive this award. It is their commitment to the communities we serve that makes us a best place to work.

“This award is truly a significant achievement for Northwell Health and is a testament to our dedicated 75,000 employees,” said Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell Health. “For nearly a year our entire workforce has banded together to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, with our team making significant sacrifices of themselves and their families to treat the 128,000 coronavirus patients to date at our facilities throughout the region. It is remarkable that the health system and its employees would be recognized with a Best Place to Work award during these unprecedented times.”

In addition to the positive feedback that has led to our company rating of 4.3 out of 5, with 5 being the highest score, constructive comments help us to further grow and develop programs that our team members need. Northwell is committed to ensuring our benefits and culture grow alongside our organization. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve provided a special bank of time off to frontline workers and other staff members to use as needed.

Additionally, in support of their well-being, we created tranquil spaces at hospitals for team members to take a moment to rest and recharge outside of the clinical setting. Recognition of their tireless work was never more important and team members, first responders and community members alike organized grand clap outs to thank our team members and keep morale up.

Along with well-being support, development support was just as essential. In 2020, we launched a new human resources platform that created processes that will help team members to continue to grow and develop professionally through conversations with their management and increased internal mobility.

The Glassdoor recognition follows a series of accolades Northwell has received, each aimed at employee recognition, workplace safety and trust and leadership. Recently, Northwell was:

• Named to Fortune’s Best Places to Work in Health Care, ranking as the highest-rated health system in the New York Metro area
• One of 10 health systems in the country to receive Press Ganey’s Pinnacle of Excellence in employee engagement.
• Recognized as one of America’s 100 Best Workplaces for Diversity by Fortune, placing 69th for creating inclusive cultures for women, different cultural and ethnic communities, the LGBTQIA+ community, older employees and workers with disabilities
• Acknowledged as one of the nation’s top health systems — and No. 1 in New York State — by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Foundation’s 2020 Healthcare Equality Index (HEI), which measures inclusiveness of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) community at large

But don’t take our word for it! Read through some of the reviews left on our Glassdoor page:

Discover a career well cared for at Northwell Health. Apply today!

The vital role of peer advocates at Zucker Hillside Hospital

For Danny Sosa, working as a peer advocate at Zucker Hillside Hospital (ZHH) isn’t just a job, it’s a way for him to make a difference using his own life experience.
Danny started his Northwell Health journey as a volunteer in our Peer Training program that helps prepare individuals to work as peer advocates. Our peer advocates are vital Northwell team members who provide support and advice for individuals going through similar experiences or who have disabilities. Throughout the three-month program, Danny learned from current colleagues about what peer work entails, as well as volunteering to go to the inpatient wards as a peer-in-training to get hands-on experience leading groups. After completion, Danny was partnered with a job coach and maintains close bonds with his fellow peers-in-training to this day.
Now as a peer advocate, Danny works closely with OnTrackNY, a program that helps adolescents and young adults who may have behavioral health needs, and Strong365, a mental health support community. Meeting with these individuals in the Early Treatment program, Danny runs and participates in group sessions as well as other activities part of the program.
Having received support from OnTrackNY himself gives Danny the valuable opportunity to connect with the program participants. “Being a peer advocate is about bringing my personal life experience to a conversation,” says Danny. “I get to help people currently going through a hard point in their life the same way I was helped. Being able to share how I grew and continue to learn from it can help others. I strongly believe it’s small steps leading to big changes.”

Peer Advocacy at Zucker Hillside Hospital

At Northwell’s ZHH, Danny found an inclusive environment that welcomed him as an asset to the team, not only for his hard work and passion, but also for his ability to deliver unique support and understanding.  “Since I started at ZHH, the whole team has been very welcoming. Hearing how much of a difference having me participate in groups can make from team members or having a participant speak to me after a program, allows me to appreciate what an amazing opportunity I have to help people here.”
Danny has flourished in his career at Northwell and has even recently been asked to participate in a statewide project. This 18-month research project with Strong365, OntrackNY and Northwell provides New York residents who have behavioral health needs with mental health resources. Danny will act as one of the contacts that individuals can reach out to in order to be connected to the right programs for their needs.
His commitment to helping others with behavioral health needs has set him up for a future within our organization. “Being part of Northwell has allowed me to forge my own path as a peer,” says Danny. “The support and training I received helped me to become comfortable with sharing my story and feeling that I was contributing in a positive way to someone’s first experience.” Believing in little moments, he helps deliver Truly Compassionate care and understanding to people in their time of need.
Use your life experience to build a career well cared for at Northwell Health. Apply today!

Northwell Health hosts virtual Spoken Word Event

At Northwell Health, we’re committed to building an inclusive and safe environment for our team members where we can all be Truly Ourselves. Our Spoken Word event encouraged individuality as team members and their families engaged in powerful self-expression.
Hosted virtually by Northwell’s Social, Belonging & Inclusion Council, this unique night of verbal expression offered team members an opportunity to creatively share what’s on their mind. Employees from all roles and teams within our organization had the opportunity to join and perform artistic pieces that focused on a variety of topics including allyship, COVID-19, diversity and inclusion, recovery, resilience and social justice.
“When we envisioned the Spoken Word event, we were excited to highlight the talent and diversity of our Northwell Health family,” says Dorean J. Flores, senior manager, Human Research Protection Program and member of the council. “Showcasing and attending an event founded in unity and interwoven with artistry invoked a sense of pride in being a part of an organization that exemplifies camaraderie.”
As part of that unity, the event created a space to share a passion from their personal lives with team members – whether that be from the topic they chose or simply the act of performing itself. For Emily Kagan-Trenchard, vice president, Digital & Innovation Strategy, and one of the night’s performers and MC, that meant connecting an artform that has been a big part of her life for over two decades with her friends and colleagues.
“What I love about spoken word events is the way it bridges all divides. It insists that all truths are worthy of an audience but makes no other demands on the shape or form that truth must take,” says Emily. “Because here’s the thing: there is no spoken word without the audience. It requires a speaker and a listener and that makes it a profound tool for building community.”
Another performer, Jeremiah Mallari, a workforce intelligence analyst in HR Operations, was grateful for an outlet to express himself while connecting to Northwell’s community, going on to even share his performance from the night online. “The Spoken Word Event was a beautiful picture of Northwell’s Culture of C.A.R.E (Connectedness, Awareness, Respect & Empathy),” says Jeremiah. “We’re all unique and hearing the different thoughts and passions of our team members perfectly depicts that. Each of the artists that performed showed their true selves and they were each embraced and celebrated.”
The spirit and passion for expression was felt throughout all 12 of the performances, with the night ending in a group virtual dance party. Healing was a continual theme through the night with the pieces allowing team members to get support and feel heard – something especially important as our healthcare heroes recover from COVID-19 in these unprecedented times.
“This event created a moment of connection and vulnerability that felt so necessary, so affirming and so urgent for all of us. The gift of spoken word is not only in the poem or the song or the freestyle that is shared, it is as much in the gift of space to listen,” says Emily. “Because this is how we get better. We sit together with the beautiful and difficult truths about the work we do for our patients, for our communities, and for ourselves to heal.”
Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Celebrating Filipino American History Month at Northwell Health

Northwell Health is proud to recognize Filipino American History Month and this year’s theme: “The History of Filipino American Activism.” Every October since 1988, communities celebrate the role that Filipinos have played throughout American history. During World War II, Filipinos fought in the United States and in the Philippines alongside the United States to obtain world peace. By working in various fields such as technology, healthcare, construction, education, and more, Filipino Americans have contributed to the economic growth of this country. As of 2018, there are 4.1 million Filipino Americans, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey (ACS) data. Filipino Americans are the country’s second largest self-reported Asian ancestry group.
We asked a few members of our Bridges Asian BERG what Filipino American History Month means to them and how they celebrate. We are proud to celebrate these individuals as well as all Filipino Americans who have brought creativity, passion and innovative ideas to life!

Meet some of our Bridges Asian BERG members below:

Join a team that celebrates the power of being Truly Ourselves. Learn more about Northwell Health’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Shaping the future of cancer care through Academic Affairs

Kerry Wallace’s Northwell Health journey started right after college graduation and has grown with her through each stage of her 35 years here. Today she’s director of Academic Affairs at the Northwell Health Cancer Institute, where she is responsible for their educational activities including fellowship program accreditation and continuing medical education programs.
Throughout her long career here, Kerry always felt supported by an organization she feels is preparing a workforce for the future era of healthcare. And as an individual with spina bifida, she’s felt supported as a team member with a disability as well. “Being disabled can definitely be a challenge in many situations. However, I’ve always felt supported during my career with Northwell and the door for opportunity has always been open for me. I also enjoy the work I do with the N-ABLE BERG to help individuals with disabilities advance their careers like I have done.”

Kerry’s Career Journey

After interning for two summers with the heath system, Kerry joined the Northwell team full-time as a cancer registrar at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH). It was while working here doing cancer data management and state reporting that Kerry earned her master’s degree, receiving assistance from Northwell’s tuition reimbursement program. “I knew continuing my education was important to future career goals,” says Kerry. “In addition to tuition reimbursement, the leadership at NSUH also allowed me the opportunity to do an administrative internship after hours and still work at the hospital.”
From there, Kerry’s career journey included working as an administrative coordinator with the Cancer Program at NSUH, a manager in Research and Education and later in Educational Initiatives at the Monter Cancer Center.
The diverse programs she experienced throughout her career were ones she valued. “I was a science major in college and always liked to learn more scientific information on cancer and potential treatments,” says Kerry. It also helped prepare her for her current role of working in Academic Affairs. “Now I am able to assist in bringing new knowledge to our clinicians and in my own way help advance care of cancer patients in the future.”

Continued Growth

While impressive already, Kerry’s career journey isn’t finished yet. She wants to continue to grow and develop while doing her part to advance the treatment and survival of cancer. “Northwell has been a large part of my life, from college summer jobs, to various stages of my career, to the birth place of my daughter. Throughout my career, my career moves often had to do with not only need, but the desire to learn new areas of the field. I have stayed for so many years because of the new opportunities I have been given along the way.”

Creating an inclusive environment for all at Northwell Health

Northwell Health is committed to creating a work environment that celebrates the diversity of our team members while ensuring everyone is included and respected. We’re proud to recognize National Disability Employment Awareness (NDEAM) Month this October with a number of events, resources and celebrations of our team and community members with disabilities alongside our N-Able Business Employee Resource Group (BERG). This year is a commemorative year, marking the 75^th observance of NDEAM and 30^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
The N-Able BERG was formed to advocate, educate and support a diverse workforce and provide a safe environment for people with disabilities. The work of our N-Able BERG along with Northwell’s Workforce Readiness team and Zucker Hillside Department of Vocational Rehabilitation placed people with disabilities back into the workforce.
Their commitment to an inclusive workforce led to Northwell Health receiving a region-wide National Disability Employment Awareness Month Award. This award recognizes businesses that have demonstrated exemplary hiring practices, employment hiring and advancement opportunities for skilled and qualified people with disabilities.  The N-Able BERG will be honored on October 16. “It has been a pleasure and privilege to help people with disabilities find career opportunities,” says Cheryl Davidson, senior director, Workforce Readiness and co-chair of the N-Able BERG. “This is an untapped pool of motivated and qualified individuals which fosters diversity of ideas and experiences while representing the population Northwell Health serves.”
Here are some of the events and resources our N-Able BERG is launching during this year’s October National Disability Employment Awareness Month:

Path to Inclusion Seminar

This virtual seminar was created to help people with disabilities during their career search. Candidates have the opportunity to discover how Northwell’s Inclusion Specialist can support them on their career journeys while receiving important resume writing and networking tips.

Disability Pride Conference

The first Disability Pride Conference on October 14 will celebrate the contributions and unique talents of individuals with disabilities while providing education and resources to team members who are also care providers for people with disabilities.

Inclusive Awards

The Inclusive Awards celebrate the work of our team members who have been committed to the N-Able BERG who ensure people with disabilities have access to our community, healthcare, education, training and employment.

Neurodiversity Virtual Mentorship Program

The launch of a new semester-long neurodiverse mentoring program provides neurodiverse college students with the chance to work one-on-one with a Northwell leader while they gain firsthand insight and invaluable healthcare career information and guidance.

National Business Disability Council Emerging Leaders

Northwell will be hosting a virtual shadow day to ensure that students with disabilities will have the opportunity to learn about careers at Northwell Health directly from our team members.

Disability Etiquette Seminar

This seminar will breakdown myths and offer guidelines on how to have respectful interactions and communications with people with disabilities to better foster an inclusive environment.

Parent Blog

N-Able has created a special resource for team members who are parents of special needs children. This blog will allow them to share information, resources and support.
Join an organization that celebrates a workforce that is Truly Ourselves. Learn more about Northwell Health’s commitment to inclusion.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at Northwell Health

September 15th through October 15th marks Hispanic Heritage Month throughout the United States and Northwell Health is proud to celebrate our Hispanic team members alongside our LatinX Bridges Business Resource Employee Group (BERG). At Northwell, we know the power of our team members being Truly Ourselves and the importance of recognizing their contributions to history, our communities and our organization not just during one month but throughout the year.

Our LatinX Bridges BERG has started their celebrations by focusing on gratitude, asking all of their BERG members to send “thank you” cards to team members they are grateful for within the organization. It’s a nice way to share thanks within the health system, especially during these difficult times where small moments can make a difference. At the end of the month, there will be a virtual panel discussion held highlighting some of Northwell’s Latino leaders titled, “It Can Be Done.” Panelists will be speaking about how they accomplished their career and life goals, despite challenges they may have experienced along the way. Beyond inspiring our Latino team members, the panel also provides an opportunity for them to connect and feel together throughout their own journeys.

“We are a proud people,” says Josephine Guzman, senior director, Physician Relations and co-chair of the LatinX Bridges BERG. “Most of us as individuals or our parents have come to this country in search of a better life, understanding the value of hard work in order to reach our goals. We should celebrate and salute our own diversity and color that exists within the “ Latino” culture, as well as the beauty, compassion and passion that we bring to  our colleagues, patients and community!”

Hear from some of our LatinX Bridges BERG team members on how the BERG connects them to their culture year round:

Join a team that celebrates the power of being Truly Ourselves. Learn more about Northwell Health’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Join the next generation of leadership at Northwell Health

Meet Ralph Thomas, a program manager for Clinical Transformation who is responsible for implementing strategic initiatives focused on process improvement, operations and performance across our organization.

First starting at Northwell as an intern with our IT Project Management Office in 2015, Ralph collaborated closely with cross-functional teams and received a great introduction to tech project management in healthcare – an introduction that would make a lasting impression on him. After gaining experience elsewhere, Ralph knew he wanted to return to Northwell and to the work that we are doing here every day to make a difference in our communities.

Accepting a position as a project manager on the Clinical Transformation team in 2017, Ralph had the opportunity to successfully advance clinical programs such as his work on the Sepsis Taskforce which works to reduce sepsis mortality within the organization. Ralph also plans and coordinates two internal learning sessions a year to gather all task force members to discuss and report out on breakthroughs. Since the inception in 2008, the task force has successfully decreased Northwell’s sepsis mortality rate by 64%. It’s an important project that Ralph still works on in his role as program manager.

And as program manager, Ralph is continually creating and implementing new clinical programs that help increase the skills of our team members and the efficiency of our facilities in innovative ways. Recently during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ralph developed and taught the first virtual improvement science program for the Behavioral Health service line that included educational sessions, interactive activities and coaching.

Building leadership skills at Northwell

Northwell’s Center for Learning and Innovation (CLI) also played a major role in teaching him new skills and developing the leadership qualities his own manager saw within him. CLI provides development courses for all our team members, including project management classes and programs Ralph enrolled in such as LEAN, Six Sigma, Intro to Project Management and the Change Acceleration Program. He credits these programs for teaching him processes that help him identify opportunities and barriers in a project and effectively brainstorm to create new solutions.

Along with providing Ralph important tools and methods for project management, CLI’s programs gave him the opportunity to work on projects within the organization. As part of the Six Sigma program, Ralph was assigned to co-lead a project at Glen Cove Hospital that created a standardized discharge process for patients from inpatient to subacute rehabilitation facilities. Ralph and his team used the tools he had learned in the Six Sigma course to work on this project which successfully led to a decrease in unnecessary transfers to the ED and readmissions while improving patient satisfaction.

According to Ralph, in order to succeed we must always be continuously learning. “Northwell has a wonderful resource for employees to develop their skills in the Center for Learning and Innovation. These classes were beneficial to building my professional skillsets along with learning the organizational structure.”

Connecting Northwell to our communities

 Beyond leading projects, Ralph is co-chair of Northwell’s African American/Caribbean Business Employee Resource Group (BERG). Open for all team members, the role of our BERGs is to provide resources to ensure we have an inclusive environment where all feel accepted and respected. For Ralph, one of the most exciting parts of being a co-chair is being able to cultivate a trusting and safe work environment for all.

Beyond supporting diversity and inclusion within our organization, Ralph is passionate about the work our BERGs do to organize and drive events for the individuals we serve within our regions. “Being a co-chair of a BERG allows me to be a part of a bigger initiative that directly impacts our communities in and out of the workplace,” says Ralph. “I suggest all team members join a BERG to engage with others across the organization while making an impact on disparities in our communities.”

The experience Ralph has gained at Northwell has expanded what he does outside of our organization as well. Ralph not only serves as the Diversity and Inclusion Chair for Healthcare Leaders of New York but is an active member of the National Association of Health Services Executives, a prominent non-profit association of Black health care executives. Last summer, he participated in the Greater New York Hospital Association Summer Enrichment Program where he mentored a graduate student through a 10-week program to discuss professional development, work/life balance in the healthcare industry, and future planning.

“Healthcare and our world are changing every day, and I am part of the next generation of leaders that will elevate the delivery of quality healthcare services,” says Ralph. “I’m proud to work for a truly patient centered organization where we think about the communities near our hospitals and the NYC metro region as a whole.”

Join the next generator of leaders at Northwell Health. Explore career opportunities today!

Embracing diversity and inclusion to drive effective change

When Andrea De Loney began her career at Northwell Health, she started in a role that would help her gain insight into the variety of roles and opportunities across the organization. Starting as a talent acquisition specialist in 2015, she met countless individuals in different specialties throughout the system and learned about the many ways people were making a difference in the communities we serve.

Andrea transitioned to the HR team at LIJ Forest Hills Hospital where she worked as the strategic alliance and development coordinator. There she managed over 20 Collaborative Care Councils and served as an engagement survey ambassador to help promote employee engagement within the hospital. Andrea also led the hospital’s communication strategy workgroup as they implemented new “Rounding Town Halls” which increased attendance and visibility of executive leadership.

It was her passion for ensuring that the voices of our team members were heard that led Andrea to her next role as a project manager with the Center for Equity of Care in 2018. As project manager, Andrea had a primary focus of relaunching Northwell’s Business Employee Resource Group (BERG) Program. BERGs, and Employee Networks are an essential part of our values, as they were established to enhance engagement, innovation, talent development, and promote an inclusive culture for our workforce and patients alike. Since the program’s relaunch in October 2018, Andrea and her team successfully increased membership by over 85 percent.

“With over 70,000 team members, it is quite easy to feel overwhelmed when seeking opportunities for personal and professional development at Northwell,” says Andrea. “Our BERGs and Employee Networks are designed to bring these experiences to the members, keeping cultural humility and the unique experiences of our workforce in mind.”

With the successful relaunch of the BERGs, Andrea’s responsibilities have expanded to include co-leading various workforce diversity and inclusion projects in partnership with Human Resources, and managing Northwell’s DiversityInc Award application process. Always striving to enhance her skills, she also became a certified Cook Ross Unconscious Bias trainer for the health system, and co-leads the Social Belonging and Inclusion subgroup that strives to even further celebrate Northwell’s Truly Together ideology.

Andrea’s hand in crafting internal and external initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion has helped build a feeling of belonging throughout the organization. She says, “Celebrating diversity and providing spaces for team members’ voices to be heard is so essential because it creates an authentic culture of belonging within any organization and community. How do we maximize the richness of our workforce? Through listening, and being open and receptive, and celebrating each and every contributor.”

With many accomplishments, Andrea continues to find more ways to support the advancement and development of our team members at Northwell. “One of the most powerful things that Northwell has done is acknowledge racism as a public health issue,” says Andrea. “When the reports of the recent deaths due to police brutality and misconduct hit the news, so many of us could not remain silent. We chose vulnerability and shared the raw emotions that exist within the Black community; senior leadership received that and knew, in that moment, something had to be done.”

In response, President and CEO Michael J. Dowling was joined by members of our senior leadership team for a live, organization-wide town hall and Q&A that focused on racial injustice and what we can do individually and as an organization to help fight racism and discrimination“My hope is that all of these efforts reach 100% of our workforce, and that we all play an active role in driving policy changes that will move our communities and society forward.”

Being involved in fighting for systematic change, Andrea is able to help foster an environment that is not only diverse and respectful but encourages its members to bring their best selves to work every day. Andrea says, “What makes me proud to work here is seeing how action-oriented and results-driven we are as an organization, specifically around topics that are generally deemed ‘uncomfortable.’” She continues, “In my almost five and a half years here, I can truly say that I’ve not only been invited to the table, but also given opportunities for my voice to be heard.”

Take a moment with us to celebrate this champion and the incredible, meaningful work she has done and continues to do to elevate Northwell on a local and national level. The example that she sets is appreciated and with confidence, we can say her career is truly well cared for at Northwell Health.

To join Andrea and other healthcare professionals making a difference in New York State’s largest private employer and healthcare provider, view our opportunities here.

Recognizing our Asian American and Pacific Islander team members on the front lines

Last month was Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and now is an important time to celebrate our AAPI team members who are working tirelessly as healthcare heroes on the front lines. Heritage months are vital in celebrating our backgrounds, diversity, and history. As America’s top health system for diversity on DiversityInc‘s ranking of Top Hospitals and Health Systems, Northwell Health is committed to not only recognizing our diverse team members but celebrating their cultures, history, experiences, and their contributions within our organization.

“AAPI Heritage Month means taking a few moments to embrace different elements of our population and using them to serve our community and health system,” says Chandini Daswani, Practice Nurse Practitioner at Lenox Hill Hospital. “Although we have a big family here at Northwell, everyone brings their unique and individual backgrounds, which we can use to enhance what we can offer to our colleagues and patients.”

Hear from our team:To celebrate, we asked some of our AAPI team members about the importance of celebrating AAPI Heritage Month and the work that they’ve been doing on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

#EachforEqual: Northwell Health celebrates International Women’s Day 2020

March 8th marks International Women’s Day, a day to celebrate women while also reinforcing equality everywhere. At Northwell Health, we’re committed to championing our team members regardless of gender or gender identity by celebrating women’s achievements, raising awareness against bias, and taking action for equality.

In celebration, hear from some of Northwell’s amazing women on how they are helping empower women.

Northwell Health teams give back to their communities

As the largest healthcare provider and private employer in New York State, Northwell Health is committed to giving back to the communities it serves across the greater New York area. Throughout the year, different team members at Northwell Health will dedicate time to volunteer for the local communities we serve. From service projects and fundraising to soup kitchens and clothing drives, our Northwell family is giving back in a rewarding way.

Two recent teams who spent time giving back to our communities were our Center for Emergency Medical Services (CEMS) team and our Talent Acquisition (TA) team.

CEMS team launches Packages of Hope initiative

The CEMS team, through the launch of Packages of Hope, created care packages for homeless men and women to help take care of them during winter months. The Packages of Hope are distributed throughout NYC, Nassau and Suffolk Counties by our CEMS crews. The team donated items and their time to put together the care packages which included feminine products, warm socks, blankets, water, hand warmers and snacks.

Members from all over the department including EMTs, paramedics, the medical director and even children of team members came together to help make over 100 packages for initial distribution. The first event was such a success that there is already another day scheduled.

Seeing the difference volunteering makes has strongly impacted the team members. “I had the opportunity to hand out one of the packages,” says one CEMS team member. “His response to a small token of items was tears in his eyes and thank you as he walked away. What an awesome idea!”

“Giving back is a part of who this department is,” says Bernard Robinson, MHA, regional director at CEMS. “Not only does teamwork increase every time we volunteer, we’ve also seen an increase in new ideas and suggestions from our staff and occurrences of them taking the initiative to go above and beyond to serve our communities.”

Talent Acquisition volunteers with Long Island Cares

TA’s leadership team also recently gave back to our community volunteering with Long Island Cares during a recent team building initiative. The TA team prepared bags of groceries for the senior population in the Long Beach area who Long Island Care serves. The groceries are then delivered to seniors who can’t drive, leave their homes, or can only drive limited distances.

Working together, the team was able to prepare over 300 bags of groceries in just one afternoon! It was such a rewarding experience to give back to our community that the team is already planning to make volunteering a routine event.

“Volunteering at Long Island Cares was an honor and it offered the leadership team an opportunity to fulfill the Northwell employee promise and contribute to something greater than ourselves,” says Patricia Brown, Assistant Vice President of TA. “It gave us a great sense of achievement to be able to play our part in contributing to the well-being of the community Northwell serves. The opportunity to give our time and to be in service of others does wonders for team bonding on an emotional level and helps us grow as a group on a personal level.”

Are you Made for caring and giving back to our patients and communities? Explore jobs.

Black History Month: Celebrating our differences in healthcare

At Northwell, we stand united together, celebrating our differences and respecting each other being Truly Ourselves. February is Black History Month, and we sat down with Kaye-Lani Brissett, Project Manager at the Katz Institute for Women’s Health and Bernard Robinson, MHA, Regional Director at the Center for Emergency Medical Services to learn about their background, leadership journey, inspirations and the importance of reigniting humanism in healthcare.

What is your ethnic background and family origin?

BERNARD: I am African American. I grew up in Brooklyn, NY. My family can be traced to Harlem, Mississippi and Virginia.
KAYE-LANI: I was born in Jamaica, Montego Bay and came to America when I was six years old to live with my father. Both parents were born and raised in Jamaica, Montego Bay.

When did you know wanted to work in healthcare?

BERNARD: I have always been drawn to the medical field. My father is a retired FDNY EMS Lieutenant. I remember him telling me stories of operating at the emergency scene. I knew then that I wanted to do the same.
KAYE-LANI: Growing up I was surrounded by family members working in the healthcare field. Through their influence I knew I wanted to be in healthcare as well. Although I thought nursing was my route, I still  have a passion to help and care for others. I soon discovered the option of obtaining my Masters in Health Administration and having the option to help and care for people.

What’s the best part of your job?

BERNARD: For me, the best part is being able to affect change that impacts the entire organization. When I was a paramedic, my decisions would impact one patient at a time. As a director, I’m able to develop polices, and make decisions that will impact every one of our EMTs, paramedics and the patients.
KAYE-LANI: The best part of my job is that I have the pleasure of being a part of a faith-based initiative called Bridging Communities of Faith and Health. This enables me to practice my passion for helping clergy. leaders by coordinating educational programs, lectures and training for their congregations and surrounding community.

What do you think about when you hear “Black History Month”?

BERNARD: It makes me reflect on the contributions that black people have made to this country. It’s a chance for all Americans to celebrate and remember what black people have been able to accomplish and contribute, in spite of the circumstances we’ve faced.
KAYE-LANI: When I think about “Black History Month” I think about the triumphs, resiliency and people putting their life on the line to enable change for their community and country. I think about change makers and like-minded people coming together and hearing the stories of people who have paved the way for the people.

Is there a specific leader from history and/or present day that inspires you?

BERNARD: Rev. Jesse Jackson is an inspiration to me. I was a teenager when he ran for President and I remember how he would encourage everyone, young and old, when he spoke. He inspired me to believe, “I am somebody.” My current day inspiration is Robert F. Smith. For a black man to return to a historically black college/university and wipe out the debt of the graduating class stands as a reminder of how far we’ve come.
KAYE-LANI: There are quite a few inspiring and fearless leaders that I look up to, especially Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ella Baker and Maya Angelou.

Why, more than ever, do we need to reignite humanism in healthcare?

BERNARD: It is important that we not only conduct business but that we are an active part of the communities we serve. My department has been establishing relationships in many communities through various projects. We have been operating as an Explorers Post in Hempstead Village for eight years, helping to introduce high school students to the world of EMS through training and mentoring by our EMTs and paramedics. We just started a second program at Lenox Hill Hospital and a third will be starting in Queens. We also hold food and clothing drives and other great community-based projects, such as our Packages of Hope initiative where our staff hands out care packages to homeless men and women who they encounter while working. We have great relationships with the communities we serve, and that’s what healthcare should be about.
KAYE-LANI: Reigniting humanism in healthcare is essential because human beings are at the core of everything healthcare related. It is imperative that the people we care for and employ are protected. As Ella Baker said “Give light and people will find the way.” At the Katz Institute for Women’s Health I do this by coordinating educational lectures and trainings for houses of worships to educate and empower them to make healthy lifestyle choices.