K
aitlyn Hamm, LMSW is a mental health counselor at Evergreen, helping our patients deal with a variety of mental health and substance use issues. She provides them with pyschosocial assessments, collaborative treatment planning, engagement, referrals and evidence-based
clinical interventions as indicated. That's a robust list of responsibilties, but it's nowhere near the complete picture of what Kaitlyn does for our patients. "This role allows me to provide a safe and welcoming place for patients to seek treatment to achieve their goals," Kaitlyn says. "It allows me to provide guidance, validation, support and normalization to our patients who are seeking help for concerns that should be treated the same as their physical health." Patients seeking mental health care at Evergreen come to us with the same issues and challenges as any of our patients, but these issues and challenges can be amplified by the additional burden of mental health symptoms. "Our mission is to assist patients with learning and strengthening skills that manage their emotions, thoughts and behaviors," says Kaitlyn. "I help patients resolve problems that are impacted by their mental health symptoms. This can include interpersonal relationships, employment, emotional regulation, housing, education, legal issues, safety and grief/loss." Kaitlyn notes that while mental health symptoms can affect any area of a patient's life, each patient has their own unique set of problems to focus on. She also says that a successful outcome for patients can take many forms. "If the patient and I can work together to learn how to use helpful behaviors and reframing of thoughts to problem-solve a stress, that's a successful outcome. If the patient can regulate their reaction to a stressor, that's a successful outcome. If a patient can use a less harmful behavior to manage intense emotions and thoughts, that's a successful outcome. There are many more ways outcomes can be measured in this department, but they're all based on the goals the patient has identified." Kaitlyn gets a great deal of satisfaction from those successful outcomes, both big and small. "The reward is to see the patients use coping skills to manage their stressors without a significant increase of distress or symptoms. It's also seeing patients come back to session and talk about how the new skill helped them
It's about progress, not perfection.
- Kaitlyn Hamm, LMSW
successfully engage in active problem solving. It's the 'a-ha' moment when a patient finds that last piece of the puzzle and the full picture is revealed. It's when they say 'I did not use old behaviors to manage this really intense feeling'. It's when a patient thanks me for providing a safe place to talk and for being a support in their life. Counseling isn't always about stuff that didn't go right. It's also about stuff that did go right and celebrating their successes. I make sure the patients I work with are recognized for their successes because they might not even realize it. It's about progress, not perfection." Kaitlyn says the mental health services available in the community do not adequately meet the needs of patients, and this is an obstacle our counselors and staff work hard to overcome. "We have to become creative and piece together services and programs to make the most comprehensive treatment plan; one that is patient-centered and provides the correct level of care." Evergreen culture is an essential part of caring for our patients as well as caring for the caregivers. "What I love about Evergreen’s culture is the concept of meeting patients where they're at," says Kaitlyn. "Also, expanding services to meet the constantly growing, changing needs of our patients. This might be corny or cliché but I love my co-workers in the mental health department. I've never felt more supported, heard or valued in a position before. Even while
working a hybrid model, I can always lean on a co-worker or a supervisor for help and support. I never feel like I'm alone or have to figure out the solution myself. The many times this team has validated my thoughts and feelings (the cornerstone of mental health), and not made me feel like an impostor, has made all the difference in this role." Kaitlyn was born and raised in Buffalo. "Well, technically in Tonawanda," she explains. She attended ECC and earned an associates degree in mental health assisting as well as alcohol and substance use counseling. She then attended Buffalo State College earning a degree in social work, and after that a masters degree from UB. Kaitlyn notes that it was "interesting" completing her education during COVID-19. She worked for Tops Supermarkets, working her way up to the corporate office, and in May of 2018 she started at Evergreen as a community health worker for the Ryan White Emerging Communities Grant focusing on assisting those that are newly diagnosed or sporadically engaged in HIV care. "I was in this role for about six months before I applied for a new grant in the Housing department. My title was an MRT housing retention counselor." When Kaitlyn finished her masters degree work she applied to take the exam to become an LMSW, and passed the exam in April of 2021. "When I earned my LMSW, I knew I wanted to be a mental health counselor. This created a conflict because I love Evergreen but there were no mental health counselor positions available at the time. I didn't want to leave. I must have good karma because in May there was a mental health counselor position posted. I applied and have been in that role for a year." When Kaitlyn isn't at work, she's usually spending time with her fiancé, even if she dislikes the word ("It sounds so pretentious"), and friends. "I love live music, so there is a high chance you'll see me at a concert or a festival. I enjoy all music except country. I am sorry to anyone who loves it, it's just not for me. I am a huge true crime fan. I will read, watch, or listen to anything true crime related. My soon to be in-laws own a sheep and cattle farm so from time to time I will help out there. (it's a great workout doing farm stuff) I love being outside in all weather. Some of my favorite hobbies include: hiking, skiing, being near or on the water, cooking, and of course eating. I love food." Kaitlyn, thank you for everything you do for our patients and community!
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Clockwise from top left: a crew from Crowley-Webb set up a studio at Evergreen Commons to get footage for one of the videos shown at the Huddle. The Pride Center's Transgender Day of Visibility Art and Talent Show was held at the Commons Sanctuary in March. Ray Ganoe with the staff of Evergreen's new practice location at 7 Community Drive in Cheektowaga.
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 June 2022 issue of Connections is Wednesday, May 18. 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.
Community Access Services leadership is dedicated to fostering an environment that acknowledges hard work. Each quarter, an employee who has exhibited a commitment to achieving the essential functions of their role, provides satisfactory customer service and contributes to the efficient functioning of the team is chosen to be the CAS Champion. The CAS Champion for this quarter is Sadia Rifah. Sadia is a health educator here at CAS. Her role consists of providing risk reduction, education, and linkage and navigation services to people from communities of color at risk for HIV, HEP C and/or other STIs. She’s trained to conduct rapid HIV/HCV testing and Peer Training groups for women of color. As a health educator Sadia maintains consistent relationships with current and potential community partner organizations to execute service delivery. Sadia is known to cultivate relationships to meet client needs. Sadia has proved she is dedicated and diligent with all of her contributions towards engaging with clients, participating in outreach events and providing confidential, affirming services. Her hard work is much appreciated and noticed by her colleagues and we thank her for all she does here at CAS. - Elizabeth Nelson
Publisher/Layout John Carocci
Copy Editor Marketing Team
Contributors Jocelyn Leising Elizabeth Nelson 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.
Angela Tetkowski....................................... May 1 Jerome Robinson....................................... May 3 Jack Burd..................................................... May 4 Fransheska Caballeros ............................. May 5 Robert Smith............................................... May 6 Melanie Deyoe............................................ May 7 Ellan Ford .................................................... May 7 Jennifer Cheatom...................................... May 7 Robin Thornton .......................................... May 9 Brittany Hesson.......................................... May 11 Rebecca Clark............................................. May 12 Emma Fabian.............................................. May 13 Helen Graves............................................... May 13 Rosalind Townsend................................... May 13 Benjamin Goldenberg................................ May 14 Michael Blasdell......................................... May 14 Matthew Egner........................................... May 16 Brandy Heath .............................................. May 16 Kaitlynn Cruz............................................... May 17 Kyle Botsford............................................... May 20 Kate Walker................................................. May 24 Adria Reed................................................... May 24 Roosevelt Terry........................................... May 25 Alyssa Shon................................................ May 25 Parker Massaker........................................ May 26 Elizabeth Woleen........................................ May 27 Grant Rogers............................................... May 27 Roberto Torres............................................ May 28 Aye Nwe....................................................... May 28 Deiona Baldwin........................................... May 30 Helene Cacciato ......................................... May 31 Harry Berkoh-Asamoah............................ May 31
Stephanie Mejia....................................... 1 Year Erin Carmina............................................ 1 Year Lakisha Price............................................ 1 Year Brittany Loops......................................... 1 Year Irenes Oquendo....................................... 1 Year Iesha Honeycutt...................................... 3 Years Katherine Marrero................................... 4 Years Kayleen O'Halloran.................................. 4 Years Kaitlyn Hamm.......................................... 4 Years Brittany Hesson....................................... 5 Years Chris DeVoe.............................................. 5 Years Kate Walker.............................................. 6 Years ElijahJimerson........................................ 6 Years
ANNUAL TRAININGS COMING SOON It’s almost annual training time again! Annual trainings are required for all staff to complete and contain company trainings, policies and acknowledgements. There will be plenty more communications to come so keep an eye out for further emails. In the meantime, feel free to check out all the new and updated courses in Evergreen University. Reach out to Jocelyn Leising with any questions.
LaTanya Walton-Brown.......................... 7 Years Ricardo Quiros......................................... 7 Years Robert Baird............................................. 7 Years Jamie Keuck............................................ 9 Years Julie Vaughan.......................................... 12 Years Theresa Shankland................................. 16 Years Laurie Matson.......................................... 18 Years
Left: Jocelyn Leising holds her Buffalo Business First 30 Under 30 award. Right: Matt Iwanski-Jackson, Jocelyn, Gaelin Carrig and Christine Marrano at the ceremony.