challenging work
Carrig
ongoing effort," says Gaelin. "We have hundreds of contracts at Evergreen that are constantly evolving." In addition to working directly on contracts, Gaelin provides guidance on legal issues to several teams across the organization to help minimize risk to the organization.
It's complicated work, which Gaelin notes can sometimes have a down side. "One of the biggest challenges in any in-house legal environment is the diversity of issues that are seen. In more traditional law firm positions, attorneys focus on one area of law day-in and day-out. This is very different from an in-house attorney who may handle issues in multiple areas of law within the same day. We need to research the issues and ensure we're providing correct guidance, which can take time. Sometimes this even involves bringing in outside counsel."
Because the work our legal team does is so different from that of the rest of the organization, Gaelin works hard to talk through her role in providing legal advice to other teams and explain how that advice can benefit the team and Evergreen as a whole. "For example, if a contract has unfavorable language that may present a risk to Evergreen, I explain how a situation could arise that implicates
Gaelin
Evergreen proves that
and
can be accomplished in an environment that is also fun to be a part of.
the specific language and what the risk would be to the organization if we don’t negotiate for different language. My role is to provide legal advice to the organization, but the business decisions still lay with our teams."
Though she may sometimes speak a different jargon from the rest of us, Gaelin is still a fan of the Team Evergreen spirit. "Evergreen is unlike any organization that I have worked at, in the best way! Coming from other corporate legal environments, which can often be rigid and “old-school”, I was immediately drawn to the friendliness of the employees and the open, accepting culture at Evergreen. Evergreen proves that engaging and challenging work can be accomplished in an environment that is also fun to be a part of."
"To me, the greatest part of Evergreen’s culture is the passion that employees bring to their work. It's unique to be a part of an organization where everyone works together for one goal — to improve the lives of our patients by providing the best care possible. I have been in meetings where the group pauses and reminds themselves of the ‘why’ in what we are doing and that serves as a driver for decisions moving forward. This is truly unique!"
Gaelin grew up in South Buffalo. She earned a degree in Public Health from Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania, then continued her education at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law focusing on Health Law. "I practiced in-house at a health insurance company in Pittsburgh for a few years prior to making the move home during the COVID-19 pandemic. As I was transitioning home, I knew I wanted to find a position that allowed me to combine my interest and passion for public health and the law. When I found a position at Evergreen, I knew it would be an excellent fit. I was also interested in becoming part of the 'ground floor' of Evergreen’s legal team and working under a strong, female mentor — which I have certainly found working with Jessica."
When Gaelin isn't at work, she says you can likely find her on a golf course, in a yoga studio or working on the endless house projects that come along with the fixer-upper she and her partner, Craig, bought last year. "I'm also a self-proclaimed foodie and love to cook! I'm very close with my family and we all live within 5 blocks of one another!" No objections there, your honor.
Evergreen of the panels, will
Evergreen is marking World AIDS Day 2022 with a display of Mending the Hearts panels at all of our locations. For images of more panels, along with the stories behind them, click HERE. The panels be on display until December 31.
Far left: the Data Literacy Resource Group met up for a wellness session. Heather Wilson reports, "We ate food, connected, did some yoga exercises and took a walk together on an unseasonably beautiful day!" If you'd like more information about the Data Literacy Resource Group, check Blink or email Heather at hwilson via Outlook. Above: the Marketing and Communications Team pose on their first ever "Dress in Monochrome Day". Near left: Halloween 2022, Medical Records style!
November was American Diabetes Month, a month-long celebration and education event held by the American Diabetes Association to bring awareness to the challenges faced by more than 34 million Americans living with diabetes.
The health impacts of COVID-19, along with rising healthcare costs and economic inequity, have all raised the stakes for people with diabetes: among the Americans who have died from COVID-19, 40 percent were living with diabetes.
At Evergreen we know that our patients are more than their chronic condition, and that the challenges they face are more than just their symptoms. We don’t just treat diabetes, we treat the whole person — unconditionally. Evergreen’s THRIVE Wellness program offers free services to patients living with diabetes to address their emotional, nutritional, physical and social needs so they have the support they need to better care for their diabetes.
Primary or specialty care patients at Evergreen who have been recently diagnosed with diabetes are eligible to participate in our Diabetes Education Program (DEP). The program aims to educate people with diabetes about their health needs, set individual health goals and achieve these goals through nutrition. Patients in the program meet with our in-house registered dietician for oneon-one sessions once a month for 12 to 18 months, and can also participate in group cooking sessions once a month.
“Our favorite recipe this year was the crustless spinach quiche,” said Barbara Aviles, THRIVE Wellness’s navigation assistant, who leads the group cooking classes. “It’s a great recipe to introduce healthy protein, high fiber, low carb eating for managing diabetes.”
The DEP pairs patients with the diabetes team for monthly one-on-one sessions. Some areas they explore together are “balancing meals, increasing fiber, reducing sugar intake, reading nutrition facts labels, smart snacking and shopping on a budget,” explains Sarah Stimpson, registered
dietician. Patients in the program even get a monthly gift card for groceries to put their new skills into practice at home.
The DEP currently has 52 participants, the vast majority of whom have lowered their blood sugars during their time in the program with the help of Evergreen’s supportive and collaborative approach.
We know that treating people with diabetes is about more than insulin and nutrition: people are better able to take care of their health conditions when their other needs are met. That’s why THRIVE Wellness offers programs to support the physical, mental and social health of people living with chronic illnesses; like art therapy and yoga classes, acupuncture, smoking cessation groups and groups to support other chronic health conditions like heart disease and HIV.
This year Evergreen’s Primary Care department was recognized for our participation in the American Diabetes Association’s Target: Type 2 Diabetes care improvement program. Director of Health & Wellness James Thompson says, “We achieved this through our innovative approach to reducing patients' A1c and glucose levels by treating the whole patient, using food as medicine and empowering patients to make better lifestyle choices around food.”
Evergreen also added podiatry (foot and ankle care) to our specialty care department this year. People living with diabetes are more likely to face complications with the health of their feet and ankles. If you have diabetes, ask your primary physician if they recommend you see a podiatrist.
American Diabetes Month encourages people to learn more about diabetes and its risk factors, to get screened if at risk, and to take full advantage of Evergreen’s Diabetes Education Program and other Wellness programs for people living with diabetes. Jean Conway (note: this story originally appeared on the Evergreen Blog)
You can alert your fellow employees of an on-campus emergency by dialing x2222 on your desktop phone. This paging system should only be used in true emergencies such as code blue (overdose response), medical emergencies for patients or staff, fire alarms, active attackers or any other true emergency.
Dial x2222 from your desktop phone at Evergreen, the Pride Center or Community Access Services. The phone line will be silent; you won't hear a dial tone. Don’t worry, the phone is recording!
Say your message loudly and clearly into the phone receiver. Make sure to include the location of the incident. Repeat your message one more time, then hang up the phone. Your recorded message will be heard over the intercom system for all buildings. Your message will not play until after you hang up the phone.
If you have any questions regarding this system or any other safety protocol, please reach out to Robert Moore. You can also check out the Safety & Security section of the Hub on Blink. Stay safe, Evergreen!
Top: The Pride Center hosted a screening of Remember Me Now as part of Trans Visibility Week. The film featured linkage specialist Tee Douglas. Bottom: Out for Business was held at Breezy Burrito Bar.
If you have any questions about COVID-19, or our vaccination program, please send an email to COVID19questions@evergreenhs.org. Or, visit ADP or evergreenhs.org for more information.
Mark your calendar! The submission deadline for the January 2023 issue of Connections is December 16. 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.
Jessica Stack December 1
Brian Orlikowski December 1
Jacob Perrello December 1
Mia Magliazzo December 2
Britney Campbell December 2
Lauren Boyle December 3
Anna Ihle December 3
Angela Negron December 4
Julie Mayer December 5
Adriane Argo December 5
Valerie Francis .......................................... December 5
Denise Hutchison December 6
David McCready December 6
Susan Hanners December 7
Dabrielle Wright December 11
Andrea Davis December 11
Juliana Chris December 11
Kadie Desbordes December 12
Troy Crawford December 12
Ryan Hughes December 13
Carly Casali December 14
Matthew Crehan Higgins December 15
Thomas O'Kell December 15
Daniele Verzelloni..................................... December 15
Andrew Kiener December 16
James Gerwitz ......................................... December 17
Melissa Delgado December 17
Rebekah Beckwith December 19
Ann Marie Didio-Harbin December 20
Stefanie Warnick December 21
Shavonne Garner December 22
Jillian Fanning December 22
Antoinette Hernandez December 23
Kyle Erlandson December 23
Christine Collins December 23
Christina Parker December 24
Lakisha Montgomery December 24
Mekhi Moore December 25
Laura Pasquarella .................................... December 25
Linda Schmidt December 26
Justin Azzarella. December 27
Damaris Medina December 27
Benjamin Gerald December 27
Anabel Rivera December 27
Emilio Rodriguez December 27
Zachary Rombough December 28
Xavier Washington December 28
Alex Marranca December 30
Nancy Colon December 31
Lindsay Robson December 31
Robert Smith December 31
