Archive for category: Featured Articles
Seeing the Northwell Health Nurse Choir on America’s Got Talent reinforces what so many Northwell employees believe: Northwell is a place that is open to our endeavors be they personal or professional.
These nurses did not know each other prior to forming the choir but found it easy to make a connection through the power of music and a common passion for nursing at Northwell. Joining their voices from across the health system, the Northwell Health Nurse Choir aimed to inspire America – and they have!
“I still cannot believe that I am part of this experience and I have the honor of representing nurses on a national stage. I hope that the joy we show when performing is felt by healthcare providers and anyone else watching us. I hope that the hope we feel when singing can be hope for those watching too, and that everyone can feel our message: that we have survived a dark time together and we are moving into a hopeful next chapter,” says Winnie Mele, director of perioperative services at Plainview Hospital.
The decision to represent Northwell on the national stage was a chance they seized. They knew that the backing from Northwell would be there because of the organization’s commitment to uplifting their employees and the communities served.
Emanuel Remilus, registered nurse, Cohen Children’s Medical Center (CCMC), appreciates having the health system behind them citing, “Northwell provided a place where we could take precautions to be protected from COVID and practice together. That was the first time we met each other in person, and it was magic – our voices and personalities came together like we had known each other for years. We come from different towns, hospitals and backgrounds, which is great because it gives us diversity in our sound and an opportunity to learn from each other.”
Fellow choir member and registered nurse, Julieta Hernandez, who works at CCMC, adds, “If we hadn’t had a place to get together and practice singing together, I don’t know that we would have been so successful. Northwell also supported us by giving us time to practice and resources for choreography and vocals. It’s been a great experience because of this support!”
Northwell is a workplace where you don’t feel like you’re checking your personal life at the door in exchange for your professional life. It’s more like walking into your shift with extended family. With initiatives such as the BERGs (business employee resource groups) that bridge our external and internal communities, promoting growth and learning opportunities with a tuition reimbursement program, and the championing of employee interests, such as the nurse choir, an employee’s whole self is embraced into the organization.
That feeling of knowing that your interests are welcomed and supported is something that is sensed from the ground up. Fellow nurse choir member, Gaelle Clesca, pediatric nurse practitioner, Cohen Children’s Medical Center, affirms this: “This opportunity is evidence that Northwell supports its own.” You’ll even hear it often from our President and CEO Michael Dowling: “Our Northwell family pulls together to support one another.”
Be sure to catch our nurses during the live quarterfinal rounds of America’s Got Talent this August! AGT airs on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. eastern on NBC.
If you’re inspired by the passion that our Northwell Health Nurse Choir has for bringing joy to others, join our team of 18,000+ nurses and discover a career well cared for. Explore nursing opportunities here.
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Anthony Bracco started his Northwell career four years ago as a registered nurse for adult open-heart surgeries, but he would eventually answer the call to join the pediatric open-heart team at Cohen Children’s Medical Center (CCMC) at Northwell Health. When asked about the opportunity to become a pediatric cardiac operating room registered nurse he says, “I couldn’t say no to a chance to help the pediatric population in the specialty I love.”
Working in a pediatric OR often means participating in life-saving surgeries. “I have the privilege of leaving work every day knowing we not only saved the life of a very young patient, but we also relieved the stress on the family,” Anthony says. He’s also excited about CCMC’s new operating rooms, which will offer more families access to the care he and his fellow OR nurses are passionate about.
Anthony says the cardiac OR team runs so smoothly because they all share the same devotion to saving lives. Witnessing that level of teamwork inspired him to pursue this career path, recalling a specific moment in an OR: “It was incredible to watch the scrub nurse and the surgeon move in perfect synchronization to protect the patient from being on the heart-lung machine for an extended period of time. In that instant I knew I wanted to be a cardiac surgery nurse.”
Declaring the operating room “an incredible place to work because you provide immediate patient care and are always learning,” Anthony encourages any nurse considering an OR opportunity to go for it. “Whether it’s removing a tumor, fixing a congenital heart defect or bypassing clogged arteries, the direct outcome you can have on a patient is incredibly rewarding. There’s no better feeling than being able to help a neonatal, infant or pediatric patient by performing life-saving surgery.”
The days are busy, fast-paced and perfect for those looking to make an instant impact on patients’ lives. Anthony says the interdisciplinary teams he collaborates with at CCMC work in tandem, a manifestation of Northwell Health’s value of being Truly Together, which flows without ebb through the halls and ORs at the hospital.
From the moment Anthony joined the CCMC’s cardiac OR, he felt surrounded by professionals with the shared mission of delivering outstanding care to the youngest of patients, a “heartfelt” desire that’s not limited to the OR.
Support from Northwell doesn’t start and stop with your shift — it tracks with your personal and professional aspirations. Through the relationships built and the knowledge gained while working at Northwell, Anthony has felt inspired to continue his education; he’s now enrolled in a family nurse practitioner master’s degree program. CCMC has also granted him the space to innovate and share ideas by supporting his desire to conduct research. “Currently, I am working on a research project to increase communication and teamwork in the operating room by using white boards for communication.”
The nurses at CCMC are driven to excellence, passionate about having a direct and immediate impact in a young patient’s life, and selfless in regard to helping others — whether it’s colleagues or the patients they treat.
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2021 is the second consecutive year Northwell Health has been awarded “Best Health System for Diversity” in the nation by DiversityInc. It is the ninth consecutive year that the organization has been included on this list.
As New York State’s largest health care provider and private employer, Northwell has 76,000 employees who are a reflection of the communities they serve: one of the nation’s most diverse populations. Building an organization and work environment where everyone feels valued and included is integral to Northwell’s journey toward the tenets of diversity, inclusion and health equity for its team members, patients and communities.
• We’re proud of being one of the first health systems, in partnership with the Healthcare Anchor Network, to declare racism a public health crisis.
• We continue to address health and racial disparities for COVID-19. More than any other health system, Northwell treated more COVID-19 cases – more than 191,000 patients – over a 13-month span as it collaborated with state and local government to aggressively roll out diagnostic testing and then vaccination efforts to underserved communities across New York City, Long Island and Westchester.
• Our Emerging Leaders Diversity & Inclusion Council — whose members include women, minorities, persons with disabilities and veterans with a passion for leadership — is empowered to build a culture of diversity awareness and inclusion to attract, develop and retain enthusiastic and ambitious talent for all leadership levels.
• Our neurodiversity virtual mentorship program and summer internship program offer neurodiverse college students insights into a career in health care while cultivating a better understanding of how to support our neurodiverse population within the workplace.
• Team members can join one of our many Business Employee Resource Groups (BERGs), which enhance engagement, innovation and talent development while promoting an inclusive culture by celebrating our differences and commonalities. Our BERGs range from our Expressions BERG, which includes team members who are passionate about promoting unity, health equity and awareness of the LGBTQIA+ community, to our Bridges BERGs, which focus on Asian, Black/African American, Jewish and Latinx communities, among others.
• As a Military Friendly Employer award winner, we support service members transitioning from active duty to civilian life with career training, veteran-friendly transition programs, health and wellness services, MOS code job search, a student veteran mentorship program, and other resources.
• Our spirit of caring and celebration infuses every holiday, from legal holidays to meaningful religious observances to national days. Our team members strive to make each holiday special.
In addition to the top hospitals ranking, Northwell was also included on several other DiversityInc specialty lists. Northwell ranked eighth among top companies for Veterans, sixth for Latino Executives, No. 10 for Asian American Executives and No. 11 for Talent Acquisition for Women of Color.
DiversityInc examined companies using a 200-question survey that focused on six key areas: Leadership accountability, human capital diversity metrics, talent programs, workforce practices, supplier diversity and philanthropy.
Click here to learn more about Northwell’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and discover a career well cared for.
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Elyse Isopo started her Northwell Health career journey as a junior volunteer at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) when she was in high school. “I loved the people, I loved the patients, and I love helping,” she says. Today, she is a supervisor for advanced clinical providers (ACP) at NSUH, where she oversees a team of nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
As a volunteer in high school, Elyse became immersed in a hospital environment and patient care as she delivered their newspapers, refilled their water, and transported them, while also helping with art and music programs. The experience impacted her career path. “I always knew I wanted to be a nurse,” she says.
Elyse held many roles during her 22 years at NSUH. She started as a registered nurse on a medicine unit and then transitioned to the medical intensive care unit (MICU). “After becoming a nurse, I knew I wanted to extend my career within the nursing field.” With the assistance of Northwell’s tuition reimbursement, Elyse went back to school to become a family nurse practitioner. “Northwell encourages and financially assists education and advancement of one’s career,” she says. Once Elyse obtained her master’s degree as a nurse practitioner, she transitioned into presurgical testing (PST). After five years on the PST unit, Elyse realized her heart was always with critical care, so she returned to the MICU where she’s worked for the past 14 years.
A driven nurse practitioner committed to learning and growth, Elyse earned her second master’s as an acute care nurse practitioner — and with Northwell’s support, she received tuition reimbursement for her doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) as well. To share her passion for nursing with others, she became a professor at Hofstra University as an adjunct clinical faculty member, where she supervises clinical faculty in the nurse practitioner programs. As a nurse and nurse practitioner, Elyse is involved with patient and family education. “I found a love of teaching throughout my career when I am precepting new nurses; teaching ACPs, residents and interns; and speaking with patients and their families.”
Reflecting on her tenure at NSUH, Elyse says, “You don’t have just a hospital, you have a community.” During COVID and as a frontline health worker, Elyse never considered herself a hero, but once she stepped outside the hospital for a “clap-out” from local first responders — whose ladder trucks erected an arch under which NSUH staff walked as they were applauded — she was reminded that her career was more than a job; it was a true calling. “I didn’t want to be anywhere else.”
At Northwell, we strive to have our team members continue their career and education journey. Elyse is proof of that: “Northwell helps build each of us to our greatest potential professionally no matter what your career trajectory is.”
Discover a career well cared for and explore nursing opportunities.
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Lenore Brathwaite is a six-year Army Reserves veteran, two years deployed during Desert Storm, and a project manager of operations at Northwell Health Labs.
Lenore gained vital skills in the military that help shaped her civilian career today. In the U.S. Army, she held many roles such as a sergeant, blood transfusion coordinator, and phlebotomy supervisor. She gained experience with communications and leadership, as well as the ability to work under pressure and problem solve.
“The military taught me to handle change and adapt to new situations in a short amount of time,” says Lenore. “My flexibility to adapt to changing environments allows me to stay productive and positive. As a section sergeant I always had to remain calm and be confident in my leadership decisions for my team.”
Lenore’s interest in healthcare sparked when she was in high school and her mother was undergoing chemotherapy treatments. She saw how important it was to be the voice for the patient and to always have empathy and patience. This is what she practices with her team now as she helps lead projects.
She started her Northwell journey in 2012 as a point of care supervisor at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. This role gave Lenore the opportunity to coach her team to provide quality care. Throughout the years, she has grown her career in hospital laboratory operations. In her current role as a project manager, Lenore coordinates with senior leadership, assists in projects, and prepares financial and quarterly reports. And her clinical laboratory technologist experience enables her to help lead and pitch in to help her team when necessary, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lenore is also a member of Northwell’s veteran-focused Business Employee Resource Group VALOR (Veterans and Allies: Liaisons of Reintegration). Being a part of this group allows her to connect with other members of the military, veterans and their families. “VALOR has great resources to help veterans transition. We are a BERG comprised of fellow veterans from all roles across the organization. Who better to understand the hardship of transitioning from military to civilian status but us,” Lenore says.
Being a part of VALOR provided Lenore with a network of supporters. Her Northwell team members encouraged her to believe in herself and become commander of her post: Hunter Squires Jackson Post 1218 American Legion.
Lenore feels supported, encouraged, and honored at Northwell as a veteran and encourages fellow veterans to explore the limitless opportunities that are offered. “Northwell Health encourages you to jump out on your own. When you finally get the courage to jump out, you feel like you are flying like an eagle.”
Watch the video to learn more about Lenore and find your next mission at Northwell Health. Explore job opportunities.
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Jennifer Mieres, MD, FACC, MASNC, FAHA, started her career as a physician at Northwell Health. After a short time away, she returned to the health system in 2010 to establish the office of Diversity, Inclusion and Health Literacy. In 2012, she assumed oversight for the Katz Institute for Women’s Health before establishing and leading the Center for Equity of Care (CEC).
Today Dr. Mieres is the senior vice president of the Center for Equity of Care and the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Northwell Health. In addition to her Northwell responsibilities, she is also a professor of Cardiology and associate dean of Faculty Affairs at the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell..
We spoke with Dr. Mieres to discuss Northwell’s commitment to diversity and inclusion and the work of the Center for Equity of Care.
As chief diversity and inclusion officer, my mission is to identify gaps resulting from disparities in healthcare and establish evidence-based strategies for eliminating them across our communities. For the past 10 years, I have spent most of my time on the design and implementation of programs dedicated to diversity, cultural and linguistic competency, health literacy, and the expanded model for women’s health with the Katz Institute for Women’s Health . Across the organization we have established several strategic partners to help advance our diversity , equity and inclusion agenda forward.
Since being established in 2017, our mission has been to advance the delivery of culturally and linguistically appropriate health care in partnership with our communities with the goal of achieving health equity.
Northwell has taken a comprehensive approach to addressing healthcare disparities by making diversity, inclusion and health equity a priority in all areas. CEC serves as a resource for the health system and communities, focusing on diversity and inclusion, women’s health, health literacy, education, cultural and linguistic competency, community partnership and appropriate community-and gender-based research initiatives. The CEC defines diversity as the mosaic of people who bring a variety of backgrounds, styles, perspectives, values and beliefs as assets to the workplace. At Northwell, we believe that every team member deserves to feel welcomed, respected and supported, and that differences should be acknowledged and embraced.
The Center of Equity of Care founded BERGs in 2013 and they have been instrumental in advancing an inclusive culture at Northwell. The BERGs program was established to enhance employee engagement, innovation, talent development, and promote an inclusive culture ensuring the delivery of culturally sensitive, quality patient care. Our BERGs are integral to fulfilling our mission, serve an important role in building a diverse pipeline of talent at all levels and sustaining trusted partnerships with the communities we serve.
The foundation built by the CEC contributed to Northwell’s rapid response to addressing the health disparities unveiled by COVID-19. With the newly established Office of Community and Population Health lead by Dr. Debbie Salas – Lopez, a Health Equity task force was established with the faith-based organizations and community members in Nassau and Suffolk Counties on Long Island with a focus on testing and vaccinating members of underserved communities and vulnerable populations served by Northwell.
During this challenging year, our clinical leadership has also created initiatives in response to racial injustice. Recognizing the connections between racism and mental health, Northwell’s behavioral health services works to empower employees to become active participants in dismantling racist structures that contribute to inequity and injustice.
Other anti-racism efforts include roundtable discussions with team members, inclusive leadership training, a Grand Rounds series on health equity, diversity and inclusion, and a Psychology Diversity Training Council. The Department of Medicine also established a Racial Equity Task Force to bring awareness of structural racism within health care and develop anti-racism initiatives and strategies.
Overall, we are aiming to advance the link with quality and equity, address healthcare delivery disparities, expanding cultural competency education for the Northwell workforce and to amplify and expand our community partnerships. Working with the Health Equity Task Force, we will continue to invest and partner with our vulnerable and underserved communities.
Additionally, a priority is to foster a culturally responsive workforce to support the mission of the health system. We are evolving Northwell’s Inclusion Academy in alignment with our Center of Learning & Innovation to build team member skill, knowledge and abilities in diversity, inclusion and health equity. We are also developing and implementing programming to build awareness of racism as a public health crisis.
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In celebration of Women’s History Month, meet two of our many inspiring, innovative and strong women leaders at Northwell Health. Watch our Northwell Community series to hear how Teri Manno, vice president of Regional Ambulatory Operations, and Sandra Lindsay, director of Patient Care Services in Critical Care at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, have made an impact on others due to their accomplishments, from being the first person in the United States to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to keeping team members engaged by organizing clapouts for frontline healthcare workers during one of the most challenging times.
Watch to learn more:
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Starting the search for your next career opportunity may seem overwhelming at first. As a Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, Northwell Health wants to ensure you know what you can expect when you apply for an opportunity with us. Read our infographic below as we walk through the stages of Northwell’s application, selection, interview, and offer experience at New York State’s largest health care provider and private employer.
Prepare for your journey to a career well cared for at Northwell.
Ready for the next step in your career? Apply to Northwell Health today!
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With a state-of-the-art clinical laboratory built in 2020, Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) is a perfect opportunity for laboratory technologists to grow their career and develop their skills with access to the latest in technology. Spanning 12,000 square feet across two floors, NWH’s lab team processes around 350,000 tests per year in Chemistry, Hematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis, and Molecular Microbiology, and provides a full-service Pathology lab.
And as part of a community hospital notably designated as a Planetree Hospital, NWH’s team members foster a culture of respect, empathy and quality care. This spirit of collaboration is embraced by the team members as they work in an interdisciplinary team to support services at NWH including the Emergency Department, the Cath Lab, Maternity unit and more. NHW’s dedicated clinical lab team members aid clinicians in determining their patients’ diagnosis and further the hospital’s commitment to providing the highest standard of quality patient care.
Beyond offering the latest technology, NWH provides its lab professionals with an innovative environment where team members are encouraged and supported with growth opportunities to continue their career journey. Support that Lori Robbins, senior manager of clinical laboratory operations, can attest to personally.
Lori started her laboratory career at NWH in 2003 as a part-time medical technologist working primarily in Microbiology and Chemistry. In 2007, she transitioned to a full-time position in Microbiology and when the opportunity for advancement arose, Lori took it. She became senior manager where she now works to ensure compliance with regulatory agency requirements, oversees orientation of new employees, manages laboratory safety and serves as the quality systems manager.
Beyond just developing her skills in the laboratory, Lori benefitted from Northwell’s professional and clinical development opportunities, such as classes at the Center for Learning and Innovation (CLI). She credits participating in ALEAD, a leadership development program at CLI, with helping her to further grow as a leader. “Being part of Northwell provides us with ample professional support and all the necessary resources,” says Lori. “ALEAD was a great opportunity to develop leadership skills in all aspects of management. Working with peers from different disciplines throughout the system, we shared experiences and, through open discussion sessions, imparted practical knowledge with each other.”
When asked why they love working in the lab, technologists listed work/life balance, great benefits, understanding and supportive leadership, knowledgeable team members, and an environment where everyone is always willing to help among their top reasons. “NWH is a welcoming, friendly facility whose mission is to provide quality patient care supported with the latest technology,” says Lori. “In addition to our patient focus, NWH is fully committed to its staff and community.”
And with the potential for a $10,000 sign-on bonus for eligible laboratory technologists applying to our night positions, there has never been a better time to join the team at NWH! Explore opportunities today.
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South Shore University Hospital (SSUH), formerly Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, NY, has delivered award-winning heart care for years. And they didn’t become one of the best by maintaining the status quo. By investing in their facilities, recruiting top talent, and delivering innovative treatments to their patients, they’ve become the best through transformation—and it was all for the community where we live, love and belong.
With the growth our cardiac program, that means more opportunities for registered nurses and techs to grow their career at Northwell as part of a team that “mends broken hearts.” Currently we are recruiting for team members in the Cath Lab to join the South Shore family.
Why should you join us? Here are eight reasons:
At SSUH, we know the way to provide the best programs and care to our patients is to develop and invest in our team members. Along with offering benefits such as our tuition reimbursement program and training (including at our Center for Learning and Innovation), our team members have the opportunity to grow within our team.
See the growth that Rachael Haddock, MSN, RN, CVRN-BC, and director of Patient Care Services in Cardiology/Interventional Radiology at SSUH, has grown at Northwell.
Along with being a Level 2 trauma center, SSUH is proud to have two Cath Labs, two EP labs and one Hybrid lab that is shared by Cath, Neuro and Peripheral Vascular teams. Additionally, we have a 17-bedded holding space located adjacent to the labs that helps to improve the patient and team member experience.
SSUH is proud to have been ranked by Healthgrades as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery for the past three years, recognizing our superior clinical outcomes in heart bypass surgery and heart valve surgery.
Mission: Lifeline is the American Heart Association’s national initiative to advance the system of care for patients with high-risk, time sensitive diseases that could be life threatening, such as severe heart attacks. SSUH achieved this distinction for its fast response time in consistently getting patients to the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab where blood flow can be restored.
SSUH was ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s High Performing Hospitals in Bypass and Heart Failure, scoring significantly better than the national average based on criterion including patient outcomes, volume, advanced heart programs and more.
SSUH has not only been nationally recognized for our heart valve repair and replacement surgeries, but also our surgeons have been ranked among the best in New York.
The accolades aren’t the only reason our team members love working at SSUH–they love our culture as well. At Northwell, we foster an environment where our teams feel supported and encouraged to be Truly Ourselves. Our BERGs allow team members to network across our entire organization in groups with specific business priorities that interest them, helping them discover new ways to have a major impact on the communities we serve.
There are many benefits to being part of New York State’s largest healthcare provider and private employer for Northwell’s vast cardiac network of doctors, registered nurses, techs and more. That includes opportunity for career movement across our many hospitals and physician practices who are all working together with the same mission: to Raise Heath.
Discover a career well cared for among the award-winning cardiac team at South Shore University Hospital. Explore our openings today!
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March 8th marks International Women’s Day and this year Northwell Health team members are standing together to proudly celebrate women’s achievements, raise awareness against bias and take action for equality–emulating Northwell’s culture and values to be Truly Ourselves. Hear how they’re celebrating this year’s theme and why they #ChooseToChallenge to help create an inclusive world.
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We’re proud to introduce our new series, Northwell Community – Connections, Careers, and Conversations. This video series features the voices of healthcare professionals as they connect, find inspiration and engage in conversation about personal and professional career growth in the diverse communities where we live, love and belong. The first installment in the series focuses on our Business Employee Resource Groups (BERGs) and the members who are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Listen to these future leaders as they share how our BERGS have given them a voice so they feel empowered to be their best selves both personally and professionally. Whether they are networking, hosting meaningful discussions, or launching new mentorship programs, these dedicated team members are leveraging their skills and passion to help educate and instill a sense of equity and belonging for all—integral to the culture of Northwell Health as an organization.
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As the new year begins, it’s important to reflect on the lessons we learned and how we can move forward to an even better future. This is especially true this year as we transition together into a new normal of life post-COVID-19. We spoke with Northwell Health’s President and CEO, Michael Dowling, to hear his thoughts on what 2021 has in store for the health care industry.
Despite everything 2020 brought, what is the 2021 outlook?
Next year will undoubtedly be a year of transition. We will still be in the COVID world, but we should have a different attitude about it and be realistic with expectations. The first part of the year will focus on managing the situation; two situations actually.
First, COVID cases will continue to increase at this pace unless we do our part — wearing masks, social distancing and proper hand washing — to minimize the spread. We will also be managing the delivery of the vaccines.
The rollout will not be quick. It is a marathon. And when you consider that there are 70 million people working in essential jobs — teachers, day care staff, corrections officers, US postal workers and public transit workers — we may be looking at June before the vaccine is available to the general public and we start to see some sense of normalcy.
You always have an optimistic view. Will there be a new “normal”?
When I think of 2021, I think of opportunity — to reimagine what we want our lives and professions to be — not just as a result of what happened to us, but of how we reacted to it.
We can all make this change. Ask yourself, what do you want to be? How do you want it organized? What kind of structural changes will you make? What do you want to focus on?
Regardless of your answers, the key is to forget what your pre-COVID world was and focus on your future.
What will factor into advancing health care?
For health care, these areas will have most precedence in 2021.
What’s in store for health care as a profession?
Health care is always a rewarding field to get into. But the COVID-19 pandemic has spotlighted just how critical these jobs are.
Doctors, nurses, environmental services, respiratory therapists, security workers and all healthcare heroes were celebrated for working the front lines. Their sacrifices, dedication and compassion are truly what makes them remarkable as individuals, as well as the work they do. I’m very proud of all of them.
Building off of that momentum, this remains an exciting time to join health care, especially at Northwell Health, where we were recently ranked No. 65 on Glassdoor’s 100 best places to work list (Northwell is also one of Fortune‘s 100 Best Companies to Work For). Our team members are engaged and eager to help lead us out of this crisis.
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Though this year’s Northwell Health Golden Ticket Nursing Showcase may have looked different due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our commitment to educating and impacting future nursing careers was stronger than ever.
To ensure the safety of our team members, students and communities, the 2021 Nursing Showcase pivoted from our traditional in-person format to an exciting and engaging virtual event. But this wasn’t your typical zoom meeting – the more than 730 junior and senior nursing students from 50+ schools had a full day of interactive events to choose from!
The morning started in our auditoriums where students heard from senior leadership, including Northwell’s President and CEO Michael Dowling who had a candid conversation with four of Northwell’s nurse heroes. After learning about our culture of nursing excellence and discovering how they could prepare for their own career journeys, students attended panels to learn about our Nurse Externship Program and new graduate nursing careers including our Nurse Fellowship Program with live Q&A. Depending on their year of study, panels connected students with fellow nurses who had worked as externs over the summer or new nurses who had been in their shoes not long ago.
After the morning sessions, students had the opportunity to explore our virtual Careers Expo and Culture Center. In the Careers Expo, students could virtually chat one-on-one with nurses across 24 specialties at our booths. It was a unique opportunity to learn about specialties that aren’t taught in nursing school, such as Perioperative, Teleheath and Home Care, or to discover what it is like to work in areas such as Emergency, Critical Care, Pediatrics, Float, Case Management, Women’s Health, and many more.
But at Northwell, we know a great nursing career goes beyond just specialty. In the Culture Center, students could see what makes Northwell Health unique – and why we’ve been ranked on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list. Here nursing students could explore 13 booths, connecting with Northwell team members to learn about the offerings of our Institute for Nursing, our commitment to diversity, inclusion and health equity, employee wellness, our Magnet© journey and more through presentations, live interactive trivia, videos and more.
And that’s not all! Throughout the afternoon, students were able to attend 11 Breakout Sessions. These optional sessions offered an in-depth look at some of our specialties such as the Perioperative Information Session, informed students how to optimize their resume and interview tips from our recruiters, or explored nursing career journeys from bedside nurse to leadership and more. Our final Breakout Sessions of the day also gave students the unique chance to earn Contact Hours. Through a partnership with our Institute for Nursing team, juniors and seniors alike could earn credits for attending the Navigating as a New Graduate Nurse or Caring through COVID-19 including Emergencies and Codes sessions.
Throughout the day students could also interact with other elements in within the platform. Whether it was visiting our robust video library to watch our team members talk about what it is like to work at Northwell or bringing Northwell leadership directly into their home through augmented reality, there were so many ways to explore nursing within our event. And every action helped students earn points as they competed to win prizes, including gift cards. Additionally, students could submit their photo to our virtual mosaic of attendees – a way to be together despite the unprecedented circumstances.
No matter what the next year holds, at Northwell Health we know the future of nursing shines bright!
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Northwell Health’s new Baby Gift Program offers team members who have welcomed a new family member by birth or adoption a one-time delivery of gift items for both baby and parents.
Their delivery is celebrated with a delivery of our own – a care package that includes hand-picked items for baby and parents, including a Northwell-branded onesie, bib and tumbler. To further support our team members, a packet of information is included with related Northwell benefits and other well-being resources offered to our new parents.
On top of being an adorable gift, the Baby Gift Program also serves to help connect team members on leave of absence or paid family leave with their team members throughout their leave. And with Northwell feeling like one big family, it’s a fun way to celebrate our newest little team members.
“It felt great receiving a care package for my newborn and myself,” says Elena Popovski, marketing specialist on the Candidate Engagement & Experience team in Talent Acquisition. “Throughout my whole pregnancy, I felt support from my fellow coworkers and a special bond was created during that time. To receive this after delivery made it feel like he was being welcomed into my Northwell family too.”
This feeling of connection is more important than ever throughout the COVID pandemic when many new parents are celebrating their newest arrival in isolated and socially distant ways. By sending our team members a token of celebration, Northwell is able to promote our value of being Truly Together.
The Baby Gift Program is just one of the unique benefits that Northwell offers our new parent team members, on top of other offerings such as Baby Café, a free drop-in breastfeeding support group that has gone virtual to continue to offer support through the pandemic.
Join an organization committed to celebrating you throughout all your personal and professional milestones. Apply today!
*Please note that benefits for our union team members may differ and team members should reference their CBA for benefit information.
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At Northwell Health, we are committed to helping our team members to develop their skills and gain a foundation for a lifelong career journey. With that in mind, Northwell Health’s Advanced Clinical Provider (ACP) team launched a one-year mentorship program to support ACPs who are new to our health system.
Our first cohort, a mix of 20 Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs), recently celebrated their graduation from the program with a virtual ceremony. Each of our NPs and PAs had been matched with an experienced ACP mentor who worked with them throughout the year to develop essential clinical and non-clinical skills for a successful career.
Throughout the program, ACP mentees were able to enhance skills beyond their clinical knowledge by learning about our organization and self-awareness. By connecting mentors and mentees, the program fostered relationships that will create a support system for all ACP team members beyond their specialty and site.
A mentor can be especially helpful for NPs and PAs coming into a health system as large as Northwell Health, with 74,000+ team members, 23 hospitals and 800+ ambulatory locations. “Mentorship is extremely valuable for any new hire, regardless of clinical experience, into a large system,” says Jennifer Laffey DNP, FNP-BC, AVP, Advanced Clinical Providers. “Having a mentor can help navigate any non-clinical challenges as well as provide direction for clinical aspects as well. Mentees gain organizational awareness from their mentors and direct insight to all the opportunities the health system has to offer.”
The virtual graduation celebrated the relationships that had been built throughout the successful program, highlighting testimonials from both mentors and mentees on the impact they had on each other. Mentors and mentees shared stories of how they were able to learn from each other throughout the year-long program, encouraging each other to grow and see things differently.
“No matter what role you are in it is always helpful to have a guide, a coach, or a cheerleader to help navigate day-to-day personal or professional activities,” says Sheila Davies DNP, ANP-BC, senior administrative director, Advanced Clinical Providers. “Two areas that resonate with me when discussing mentorship programs are the value of friendship and nurturing that mentorship can provide. Thoughtful guidance and support can often inspire an individual’s trajectory and the relationship that was developed will often be everlasting.”
Congratulations to all of our NPs and PAs on graduating from this exciting new program!
Start your ACP career at Northwell Health. Apply today.
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Christian Jocelyn always knew he wanted to work in the healthcare industry so he could help others. He was uncertain which career path to take, so he became an emergency medical technician (EMT) after college, which provided him with his first healthcare career opportunity delivering frontline care. His career journey at Northwell over the years brought Christian to his current role as director of operations in the Department of Neurosurgery at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH).
A few years after starting his career journey as an EMT, Christian became a paramedic and began to get involved in performance improvement projects. These projects not only helped leadership realize Christian’s potential and that lead him to be promoted to paramedic supervisor. This also helped Christian discover where he wanted his Northwell career to go.
“In my role as a supervisor, I was responsible for the day-to-day field operations for one of the largest hospital-based EMS departments in the country. I had the opportunity to view the health system through a unique lens,” says Christian. “I came to understand the importance of caring for patients across all care settings and the strength of an integrated healthcare delivery system. This experience motivated me to go back to school and obtain my Masters in Health Administration and to begin the transition from clinician to administrator.”
While working toward his master’s degree, Christian transitioned out of EMS into a role as a manger of Financial and Operations Management at NSUH. It was this administrative foundation along with his education that enabled Christian to develop the skills he needed for his current role as director.
At Northwell, Christian has been able to build a rewarding career that utilizes his skills on the frontline to impact patient care through operations. Christian enjoys being able to take his experience and understanding of care outside of the hospital into designing programs within the hospitals. It is an opportunity he feels he was able to reach thanks in part to the mentors who supported his transition from clinical care to the administrative side of healthcare by removing barriers and helping him tap into his potential.
“One of the most important factors in my growth at Northwell has been my good fortune to have excellent mentors and sponsors along the way,” says Christian. “These individuals invested time, effort, and energy in me. They have set the example of what it means to be a leader and have provided the foundation I continue to build my career on. I would not be in the role or the person I am now without the expectational guidance and support by my mentors at Northwell.”
And for those looking to make a similar transition as Christian, he offers the advice of focusing on developing meaningful relationships in the organization and to not be afraid of taking risks. “Make it a point to collaborate with folks in other departments, step outside of your comfort zone and learn about a part of the organization that is unfamiliar to you,” he advises. “The beauty of Northwell is that we touch the entire continuum of care and with that comes an unparalleled learning opportunity.”
Discover a career well cared for at Northwell Health. Apply today!
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The Magnet Recognition Program® by the American Nurses Credentialing Center designates organizations around the world as nursing leaders in education and development and in exceptional care delivered to patients. Often considered the gold standard for nursing excellence, many of Northwell Health’s hospitals are on the journey to earning this elite status.
We’re proud to announce that as of this month, Northwell now has eight Magnet-designated hospitals in our system. The road to Magnet isn’t easy, it takes a lot of work, dedication, preparation and leadership. It’s an accomplishment that wouldn’t be possible without the nurses and nurse leaders at all of our facilities.
Starting as a registered nurse in the Emergency Department (ED), Andrew Wong, MS, RN, AGACNP-BC, CEN, CPEN, CCRN-K, has grown his nursing career at Lenox Hill Hospital (LHH). After becoming an ED nurse educator for LHH and Lenox Health Greenwich Village, Andrew’s career continued to grow. Today, he’s a Clinical Impact nurse practitioner with the Critical Care team – a role he helped create himself. When LHH started its journey toward earning the prestigious designation, Andrew’s work played a vital role.
As part of the designation, Andrew’s evidence-based practice project to create a new Clinical Impact NP role earned an exemplar by the Magnet Commission. For Andrew, it was a true culmination of the hard work throughout the last couple of years, as well as a reflection of the support Northwell provides in investing in their team members. This project was a dream for Andrew, who had felt this role was a vital addition to provide resources to his team while improving patient outcomes.
Since the creation of the Clinical Impact NP role, LHH has seen evidence of increased collaboration within the multidisciplinary team and increased standard of critical care to patients who require it. Today, LHH now has two Clinical Impact NPs.
“When I was watching the designation call and heard about the Clinical Impact Nurse Practitioner program being named one of the five exemplars, I immediately reflected on how we got there,” says Andrew. “Through mentorship, scholarship, and transformational leadership, our program was able to be successful and highlighted.”
Tameka Wallace, MSN-RN, CPAN, CCRN-K started her career at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) as a lobby service representative and then as a nursing assistant at NSUH where she was first inspired to pursue becoming a nurse. Tameka embraced her ambition and leadership ability and today is a nurse manager in the PACU at NSUH. As part of NSUH’s Magnet journey, Tameka was proud to serve as a Magnet Champion and Magnet Ambassador.
Both roles played a key importance in NSUH’s designation. As a champion, Tameka acted as a driving force of the Magnet Program at the hospital, utilizing the pillars of the process and implementing them within her units. And as an ambassador, Tameka and her team members networked with leaders from around the country to share best practices from other hospitals.. During the appraisal, Tameka also escorted a member from the appraisal team to different units, helping to showcase the hard work and accomplishments that the units prepared, a big honor during the Magnet review session.
It was these opportunities that helped Tameka to further develop her leadership skills and played a part in her promotion to nurse manager. Now as nurse manager, Tameka believes firmly in transformational leadership for her nurses. “Believing in the vision of the hospital and instilling it in your unit and your team inspires them to embrace it and work for it,” says Tameka. “This journey has taught me that involving clinical nurses at every opportunity is very important. In addition to support and nurse empowerment, as leaders we must ensure agility and the ability to facilitate innovations throughout an organization.”
Now as part of the re-designation team, Tameka is part of NSUH’s team, working to ensure re-designation. “I learned that Magnet is not something you get, but something you are. It’s something to be proud of and recognizes your nursing excellence. That is what makes the journey worthwhile.”
Join the nursing teams committed to delivering excellence at our hospitals. Apply today!
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Starting her career as an inspired young nurse following in the footsteps of her aunt, Maureen Hogan, DNP, RN, CCRN, AGNP, would soon find a way to inspire others in the same way. Her passion as a registered nurse in cardiology guided her to Northwell Health, where she became a registered nurse in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) at Long Island Jewish Medical Center (LIJMC) in 1994.
Her career has spanned 26 years and today she’s a DNP in the Advanced Heart Failure and Heart Transplant program at LIJMC. As a nurse practitioner, Maureen is as ambitious as she is kind, working to support her patients and her team members. It’s this dedication to care that has earned her the recognition of being the Nurse Practitioner Association (NPA) New York State NP of the year.
“To be recognized by your peers is an amazing feeling. I am truly humbled and honored that the Awards Committee of the Nurse Practitioner Association (NPA) chose me as the recipient of the NPA State Nurse Practitioner of the year and that the NPA of Long Island chose me as the recipient of the Long Island award. There have been so many wonderfully accomplished recipients before me and I am so appreciative to be included in this group,” says Maureen. “It was also so special when my LIJMC cardiology family had a celebration for me with so many kind comments and well wishes.”
It was working nights in the CCU at LIJMC where she gained the incredible experience and built friendships that would carry through her exceptional career at Northwell. “Working as a nurse in the electrophysiology lab, where they have some of the most knowledgeable nurses I know and working on cardiac research provided a wonderful foundation for my NP practice,” says Maureen.
Wanting to grow her career, Maureen continued her education with support from Northwell’s tuition reimbursement program and graduated from the Hunter-Bellevue Nurse Practitioner Program as an Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner. After she graduated, she was hired at the Massapequa Heart Group, which later became part of Northwell Physician Partners. There she worked with wonderful physicians, NPs and support staff who are still like family.
Even though she is now a veteran of our organization, Maureen still considers herself fortunate to take part in programs at Northwell Health that promote her growth and professional development. It was this support that led her to continue her education again, graduating with her DNP in 2014 with the help of her clinical mentor and our tuition reimbursement program.
It was while earning her DNP that Maureen had the opportunity to co-author publications with clinical advisors and conduct an IRB approved study at Northwell entitled, Testing the effect of a Home based exercise intervention on Older Patients with Implanted Cardioverter Defibrillators.
In her current role, Maureen cares for patients in the outpatient heart failure clinic at LIJ with director Dr. Sandeep Jauhar, Dr. Samit Shah and PA Tamara Diaz and on the inpatient service when new and current patients are admitted with heart failure. “I continue to learn so much from my fellow nurses, ACPs and doctors on the Advanced Heart Failure, Mechanical Support and Heart Transplant team,” says Maureen. “It makes me proud to participate in the weekly evaluation and research meetings.”
Having found rewarding opportunities at every turn within Northwell, it has inspired Maureen to help her fellow nurses and team members find their own potential. On top of her duties as an adjunct professor at both Hunter College and Adelphi, she mentors and acts as a preceptor for many students and registered nurses looking to find their way as healthcare professionals. “To have a small part in giving back to the profession is so rewarding,” says Maureen. “It makes me smile when I see them succeeding in their clinical roles.”
And with confidence of her own, Maureen has consistently evolved and demonstrated how commitment, passion and ambition can be the launchpad for taking your career to new heights. “My favorite thing about being an NP at Northwell is being part of a group with so much support and spirit that gives you the feeling you are part of a big 74,000+ member family.”
Discover careers well cared for and explore nurse practitioner and other ACP positions. Get moving at NorthwellCareers.com
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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.
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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.
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As COVID-19 restricted hospital visitations across the world, healthcare professionals at Northwell Health worked tirelessly to ensure patients knew they were never alone. With compassion as their motivation, our Northwell heroes on the frontlines quickly developed new ways to help keep patients connected with their families.
Nicole Ciccione, a nurse manager in the Pediatric Emergency Department at Cohen’s Children Medical Center, was moved by one of her colleague’s emails about the work being done at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Inspired to act, Nicole and her team brainstormed different ways that they could help their fellow Northwell team members while improving the patient experience. “I reached out to my surrounding community to ask for toiletries to help our patients look, feel and smell fresh, and for different devices to assist with making virtual connections,” she says. The overwhelming response of donations was a refreshing reminder to her of the impact Northwell has made on the community it serves. With the donation of toiletries, iPads and other electronic devices, team members volunteered to not only connect patients with their families, but to spend time connecting with the patients themselves.
“There have been difficult times, sitting with a patient and their family on FaceTime, while the patient takes their last breath, to happier moments of connecting a patient with their family soon after extubation. For team members, it has been very humbling and rewarding to be able to help out not only patients, but also our LIJ colleagues. It’s connected our teams,” Nicole says, “I am proud to be the nurse manager of an extraordinary team that is willing and ready to help when called on.”
Debra Clifford, director of patient care services at Plainview Hospital, worked remotely during COVID where she found new ways to support her nursing staff and connect with patient families. She says, “The COVID-19 pandemic offered me the opportunity to get back at the bedside and help patients and their families in a different way than my current role. Working from home, I started to make calls to families to alleviate the frontline staff of the overwhelming calls that they were receiving from families. I gave daily updates, connected them with other disciplines in an attempt to stay connected to their loved one in light of a unique situation that echoed ‘no visitors.’” It was these moments on the phone delivering comfort to patients’ families that helped her feel connected even as she herself was away from the hospital. “My inspiration for working remotely soon came from the families that I had the pleasure of talking to each day.”
Marcy Hohorst, a family liaison at Plainview Hospital, also found new ways to deliver care as her Perioperative Unit was temporarily converted into an Intensive Care Unit. Having had experience working as a registered nurse in past mission trips, Marcy was uniquely prepared to deliver comfort and compassion as she helped patients connect to their families virtually. “It was and always will be my honor to have been able to connect families with their loved ones during their brightest moments or their darkest hours. This position was simultaneously meaningful, rewarding and heartbreaking. Someday, when COVID-19 is a distant memory, I will be proud to say, ‘I was the nurse with the iPad.’”
A commitment to health never stops and these individuals, as well as other team members across our organization, have demonstrated that nothing can stop them from providing the care patients and their families need and deserve.
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Perioperative services at Northwell Health are growing fast, and with growth comes a wide range of career opportunities. For qualified nurses looking to enter the field, perioperative careers offer a unique chance to be hands-on and collaborate with other dedicated health care professionals working together to have a direct impact on the lives of their patients. While there are many reasons for joining Northwell in a perioperative career, we’ve provided five reasons why this path is a great decision for anyone looking to make an impact in nursing.
As new technologies emerge and the need for more advanced care grows, Northwell provides many opportunities to learn new skills, utilizing state-of-art-technology so perioperative nurses can ensure the highest quality of care for their patients. The latest technology can improve outcomes with greater precision and less invasive procedures, and therefore, increase recovery times, especially in robotic surgery, which has become a trusted method for many of our surgical procedures including cardiac, GYN, ENT, thoracic, neurosurgery, heart and liver transplants, and many more.
At Northwell Health, perioperative nurses have access to unlimited clinical resources and educational opportunities designed to help them advance their careers. Nurses can engage in peer learning, career progression and certification programs that encourage their growth and provide support at every level in their journey. Just ask Karen Rowan, MSN, NPD-BC, CNOR, director of System Perioperative Education at Northwell. As an RN in the operating room, she was happy in her career, but she felt there was more she could do. She wanted to use her skills to teach so when the opportunity presented itself to be a clinical nurse educator, she took it.
Making a move into an educator position presented her with opportunities that would prove to be a catalyst in her success. “This position allowed me to participate in leading the OR fellowship, orientation program and simulations,” she says. Northwell also gave her the opportunity to present two podium presentations at two national conferences. “I have the opportunity to share my passion of perioperative nursing with nursing students,” she says. It’s not only the students who benefit from Karen’s passion, the OR Fellowship is a great opportunity for both new grad nurses and floor nurses looking to get into perioperative careers. And the patients do as well, making her career journey even that much more rewarding. Karen and her Corporate Perioperative Education team continue to build unique educational opportunities and experiences for new and existing perioperative nurses
Year after year, Northwell Health is recognized for the care our team delivers to patients. Northwell was the first in the nation to receive the Network of Excellence in Robotic Surgery designation from Surgical Review Corporation. Our cardiac surgery programs have been ranked by the Department of Health (DOH) among the best in New York State with cardiology programs being recognized by Healthgrades as America’s 100 best heart programs. And beyond the award-wining care for our patients is the award-winning care for our team members! This year, Northwell ranked as one of Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For®,” the only health care provider in New York State to do so in 2020.
No matter the discipline, each role within Northwell’s organization works together to accomplish the same goal, to redefine health care. You’ll gain support across a collaborative network of team members, from surgical technologists and registered nurses to physicians, physician assistants, anesthesiologists, CRNAs, and even central sterile processing technicians. The dedicated team’s combined experience means the delivery of groundbreaking outcomes for each patient that comes through the doors, and you’ll play a vital role.
As Kelly Cifu, MSN, RN, and Vice President of System Perioperative Services, explains, “The perioperative leaders at Northwell are committed to continual improvement, teamwork, achievement, and obtaining the best results possible for our patients.” The result of that is double fold as it also impacts the careers of those delivering care. Take Kelly for example. She started her career 15 years ago in the operating room and today she oversees 18 perioperative sites within our network. During her career journey, she gained critical support and mentorship from her leaders who created a trusting, collaborative environment that positioned her for success.
Join Northwell Health today and discover how your perioperative career can be the start of something great.
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As times change the needs of the companies do as well. In recent years, there has been a considerable increase in companies relying on online platforms to conduct candidate interviews. Recruiters actively utilize video conferencing now more than ever to engage and reach a more diverse, global group of prospective hires. For you, the prospective hire, it can give you an advantage if and only if you take it as seriously as you would an actual in-person interview. Northwell Health has prepared a number of tips to help you master the virtual interview so you’re confident and prepared to take on the next step in your professional career.
First things first, considering virtual interviews happen online, it is essential that your online connection is strong. There’s nothing worse than being in the middle of explaining why you’re the perfect candidate and the recruiter is met with grainy, pixelated images of you, or worst case, a dropped call. To avoid this, test your equipment beforehand. It may even be helpful to have a friend try a mock interview just so you’re aware of what the person on the other end of the call experiences throughout the process.
Now that you’re all set with your technology, what do you wear? It’s best to dress as if you’re walking into an actual office to conduct your interview. Dressing professionally isn’t only expected, but it also shows the recruiter that though you are home, you made an extra effort to make sure you made a quality first impression. Trust us, that goes a long way.
On to where you take the call. Most interviewees prefer to take the call from home, that way they are able to have more control of their environment than if they were at a coffee shop or even a library. If you do field the call from someplace else outside of your home, be sure it’s someplace quiet. You would hate to repeat yourself for your recruiter because they couldn’t hear you over a coffee grinder or the latest music from your second favorite band playing in the background.
Find the perfect spot. As much as it may be tempting to be as comfortable as possible seeing as most likely you’ll be taking this call from home, sitting at a desk or a table is much better than sitting on your bed. A tabletop provides the feel as if you’re sitting across from the person asking you questions and even helps keep your posture focused and your mindset on what’s in front of you.
Now that you’ve tested your equipment, figured out what to wear, where to go, and where to sit, it’s time to make sure you’re prepared. And though this process may be a bit different from what you may or may not be used to, it’s important you treat this the same as you would a regular interview. Come into the interview with questions you may have about the organization, a brief elevator pitch about your experience, how you feel you can add value to the team, and what you’re hoping to get out of your experience altogether. The more you’ve prepared, the more relaxed and confident you’ll be.
Follow these tips and set yourself up for success on your next call on others in the future. And if you’re interested in redefining health, Northwell Health has plenty of opportunities. Be sure to take a look at careers by clicking here.
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My name is Melissa Black and I have worked in Oncology since I started working at Northwell’s Huntington Hospital in 2008.
When I was 15 years old, my mother lost her battle with lung cancer. Since then, becoming a nurse had always been my mission. I was truly touched by how much my mom loved and cherished her nurses – nurses who cared for her when she was a patient on the same Oncology unit where I now work all these years later. It’s like my life came full circle and I ended up exactly where I was meant to be.
My career journey with Northwell started when I was hired as a CNA. I became a unit secretary in 2010, a position I held for seven years up until I became an Oncology RN in March 2018. I consider myself so lucky to have been able to spend all 12 years growing my skills on the same unit at Huntington Hospital. Being surrounded by the Oncology teammates and managers who have been with me from the start has made my career transitions that much easier. Northwell’s tuition reimbursement program helped to lighten the financial burden as I obtained my nursing degree. The support of my colleagues and leaders throughout school was a tremendous part of my success.
I feel my experiences give me insight when I’m caring for our cancer patients since I can relate to what they are going through. By helping my patients and their families heal and cope with how cancer has affected their lives, I’ve been simultaneously helping heal myself as well.
I became a nurse because I wanted to be that sunshine in a patient’s life while they are in the hospital dealing with some of their darkest days. I wanted to be that someone the patient looked forward to seeing walk through their door, because they know I will try my best to support them through their pain, their sadness, and their fears. This has to be one of my favorite things about my job, knowing that sometimes just my mere presence plays a part in a patient’s healing. I feel lucky to be a part of a patient’s journey.
Becoming a nurse and caring for patients with cancer has made me better able to appreciate how beautiful and fragile life is. It’s a career I chose because I wanted to make a positive impact on the lives of my patients, but it’s the impact they make on MY LIFE that truly reinforces that I am exactly who I am meant to be – a nurse!
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