I
leana Hernandez-Cromer is a case manager and health educator for the Ryan White program in the Center for Supportive Services. "I help patients who are living with HIV with daily living activities," explained Ileana, making it sound easy. She also connects patients to resources (here at Evergreen
and out in the community) and conducts health education sessions for groups and individuals. Ileana is making a real difference in the lives of our patients. "I'd love to say they benefit from the work I do, as they're able to advocate for themselves and navigate through the confusing system of medical care, housing, transportation, entitlements and so on." She cites one long-time patient and how their life has changed over the years they've worked together. "I've been working with her for about 15 years, since her very first day in Buffalo. Back then, she didn't speak any English and identified as a male-to-female trans individual looking for linkage to services. Now she speaks good English, has completed her education and is working as a head chef. In addition, she has completed the transition process. She always calls me her fairy godmother. I'm grateful to her for allowing me to be part of her transition/journey. I've learned a lot from working with this patient over the years. I always tell her, 'Thank you for allowing me to learn through your experience.'" Ileana clearly has that Team Evergreen "secret sauce" combination of compassion, professionalism and dedication. Even so, there are challenges to overcome. "In this field I feel that we could learn more every day about what our patients need
and how to assist them. It's sad that, at times, we're not able to take advantage of these opportunities for reasons outside our control, whether it's because of time or funding or whatever." Like many staff members, Ileana has worn several hats during her time at Evergreen. "I was hired in July, 2006 as an assistant case manager," she recalled. "I went from there to being a bilingual case manager, a care coordinator, a medical case manager, lead medical case manager, a linkage specialist and then back to case manager health educator." She notes that Evergreen has gone through (almost) as many changes as her job title. "When I started, I want to say we were only about 125 employees or less, and now it has doubled and more. But while our staff and services have grown, we are still patient-centered." Ileana was born and raised in South Buffalo. Her family moved to San Antonio, Texas, where Ileana graduated from high school. She then returned to Buffalo and graduated from Erie Community College with a degree in Mental Health and Substance Abuse. "I worked at Baker Victory Services for over a year and half while I searched for other jobs in my field. I found out about AIDS Community Services (now Evergreen Health). I applied and have made this my home of employment." Outside of work? "I have three lovely children and nine grandchildren. I love to travel with my friends and family. My hobbies are traveling, coaching, sports (love my Dallas Cowboys). Some of my interests are nature walks, hikes and learning new things." Thank you for all you do for our patients, Ileana!
If you have any questions about COVID-19, please send an email to COVID19questions@evergreenhs.org. Mark your calendar! The submission
For questions about Evergreen’s COVID-19 vaccination program, you can email COVID19vaccinequestions @evergreenhs.org. Or, visit ADP or evergreenhs.org for more information.
deadline for the September 2022 issue of Connections is Friday, August 19. Be sure to get your content in before the deadline to guarantee placement. Kids, pets, vacations, recipes -we want to share it all with Team Evergreen! Email EvergreenConnections via Outlook.
The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) announced that it would make 550 monkeypox vaccine doses available through a clinic hosted at the Evergreen Commons Sanctuary in late July. There will also be a second clinic to administer second doses of the vaccine. We will continue to keep everyone informed about the vaccine clinic. For additional information and resources, please check out the Health Updates section of the Hub on Blink.
Troy Crawford is part of Evergreen's Security Team. He writes poetry as a way to cope with events such as the recent shooting at Tops Supermarket, the store where he often shops.
The Storms of Life
by Troy Crawford
For every stormy wind that blows will bring a darkening day But then the sun will shine again And will send a healing array For life will bring a burdensome thorn And all will reap And all will mourn For life will bring Its dark and blue But then the sun will Shine for you
Shaquana Zeigler-Davis........................ August 1 Matthew Costa....................................... August 1 Emily McGorry........................................ August 2 Ibrihim Sabur.......................................... August 2 Rachel Peer............................................. August 3 Ekua Mends-Aidoo................................ August 6 Andy Anderson....................................... August 6 Alicia Kohlhagen..................................... August 8 Suzanne Lambie..................................... August 8 Reginald Washington............................ August 10 Elizabeth Danwin.................................... August 10 Sandya Brahaspat.................................. August 11 Jason Surmaceviz................................. August 11 Jonathan Puma...................................... August 11 Charles Smith......................................... August 11 Mariana Gonzalez.................................. August 12 Melissa Gulino........................................ August 13 Christine Baczkiewicz........................... August 13 Becky Siuta............................................. August 14 LeAnna Shanks....................................... August 14 Carolee Corbitt....................................... August 14 Kelly Thompson..................................... August 16 Sadia Rifah.............................................. August 16 Timothy Arroyo....................................... August 17 Amy Usiak................................................ August 17 Randall Smiedala................................... August 17 Kayana Dean........................................... August 20 Michael Ludwick.................................... August 20 Ann Marie Reimer................................... August 20 Magali Maldonado................................. August 21 Megan Mogavero................................... August 22 Barbara Aviles......................................... August 23 Lydia Ruiz................................................. August 23 Asha Mathis............................................ August 24 Patrick Hildenbrandt.............................. August 28 Arlene Andrade-Johnson..................... August 30 Penny George......................................... August 31 Elizabeth Nelson.................................... August 31
Rachel Tefft............................................. 1 Year Rebekah Beckwith................................. 1 Year Emily Ryan............................................... 1 Year Allison Verstraete................................... 1 Year Amanda Dietz......................................... 1 Year Gaelin Carrig........................................... 1 Year Lauren Boyle........................................... 2 Years Elizabeth Danwin.................................... 2 Years Linda Berkoh-Asamoah........................ 2 Years Alexandria Matyas................................. 2 Years Brandee Martin....................................... 2 Years Shaina Beck............................................ 3 Years Abbie Burd............................................... 3 Years
TRAINING MODULES ARE HERE The first round of mandatory training modules are ready and have been uploaded to your Evergreen University learning profiles. Staff are required to complete all of the training modules by September 30, 2022. The purpose of the annual training curriculum is to ensure that
Shateer Douglas..................................... 3 Years Natalie Gerdy.......................................... 4 Years Lilkizzy Tell.............................................. 4 Years Jasmin Padilla........................................ 4 Years DeJuan Burnell....................................... 5 Years Megan Mogavero................................... 5 Years Lindsay Kelly........................................... 5 Years Lauren Voelkle........................................ 5 Years Christina Cornell..................................... 5 Years Eliud Kosgei............................................. 6 Years Josh Matecki.......................................... 6 Years Ekua Mends-Aidoo................................ 6 Years Elizabeth Pijanowski.............................. 6 Years Joseph Ryan........................................... 7 Years Jessica Stack......................................... 7 Years
everyone is compliant with our policies and procedures so we can be
Brian Orlikowski...................................... 7 Years
successful in each of our own roles and as an organization. Please
Kimberley LaVare................................... 7 Years
contact the training team with any questions!
James Thompson.................................. 8 Years Cecil Sutton............................................. 12 Years Murray Wire............................................. 14 Years Kate Gallivan........................................... 16 Years Richard Smiley........................................ 22 Years
The Pride Center had a picture perfect July day for Pride in the Park at Front Park in Buffalo. The event featured music, food, entertainment, games, information and more.
The Center for Supportive Services Smile Squad organized a team-building Scavenger Hunt. The group was divided into six teams. "As you can see, folks had an awesome time trooping around downtown," said VP of Supportive Services Maria LoTempio. Thank you to Michael Ludwick and Ileana Hernandez-Cromer for the photos.
Clockwise from top left: the Syringe Exchange team once again attended the Great Blue Heron Music Festival in July. Our staff provided Narcan training to 56 people, and distributed 209 safer sex kits and 155 pieces of harm reduction literature to attendees. Here's Ian Eastman at the Exchange's outreach tent. Aubrey is back! Aubrey is a therapy dog that visits Evergreen through the SPCA's Paws for Love program. Maria LoTempio, Kelly Craig and Stephanie Vroman-Goodrich pose with Aubrey during a recent visit. Katie Mego and Jillian Dagastino at the Drop-In Services Clothing Drive table. Drop-In Services will have a collection closet with clothing and hygiene products for patients in need.
Publisher/Layout John Carocci
Copy Editor Marketing Team
Contributors Jocelyn Leising Megan Fagyas Marcia Derby Ian Eastman Maria LoTempio Michael Ludwick Ileana Hernandez-Cromer Stephanie Vroman-Goodrich Connections is the monthly newsletter for employees and board members of Evergreen Health and its affilliates, the Pride Center of Western New York and Community Access Services. You can submit photos, comments or a "hello" via Outlook at Evergreen Connections.