CAS
(Community Access Services) was founded in 2003 under the name Urban Services Network to address the need for HIV prevention within Buffalo’s Hispanic community. From 2004 to 2012, under the name Alianza Latina, the agency offered programs designed to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health and promote knowledge about HIV and other chronic diseases. Known as Community Access Services since 2012, CAS continues its mission to educate and empower underserved communities of color in Buffalo.
Tiera Rogers is the administrative assistant at CAS, and she has a hand in all of the many programs and services offered there.
"At CAS, every day is different," says Tiera. One of her primary duties is helping clients who need food pantry services, as well as connecting them with health educators for extra support. "Whether it's sharing quick cooking tips or just chatting, there’s always something new happening, and I love being part of it!"
Tiera says she loves everything about her job at CAS. "It feels great to know that when clients leave CAS, they have food and resources to support them. Clients really make me feel appreciated, and I enjoy chatting with them, learning about their stories, and doing whatever I can to help. I also love my team! We’re like a little family, and our building is always filled with laughter. I’m pleased to say that I haven’t encountered any major challenges in my position. While the food pantry can get a bit hectic at times, I’m lucky to have a team that’s always ready to support me."
Before coming to work at CAS, Tiera's previous position was remote. "I was a bit
There’s always something new happening... I love being part of it!
- Tiera Rogers
anxious about being around people again. However, CAS and Evergreen have been incredibly welcoming, making my transition so much easier. Any other job that I've had really doesn’t compare."
Tiera has always had a passion for helping people. "I knew this role would be a great fit for me. It’s been an amazing journey so far, and I’m really enjoying the chance to make a difference every day!"
In her short time at CAS Tiera has already made a mark. "She has a strong grasp of her responsibilities as an administrative assistant," said Kimberly Brown, executive director at CAS. "Despite being in the on-boarding phase of her employment at CAS, she has not shied away from supporting team members with achieving positive outcomes in their individual roles."
Born and raised in Buffalo, Tiera kept the answer to our question about her background short and sweet: "Go Bills!" Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her kids and taking on DIY projects. "I’m really passionate about them. I'm also a full-time student working toward a degree in social work, so I definitely stay busy!"
We're so glad to have you on the team, Tiera! Thanks for everything you do.
POSTPONED
Each year, the community steps up for Dining Out For Life. On this day, participating restaurants donate a minimum of 25% of each diner's check to Evergreen. Restaurants, diners and volunteers work together to make it a success. Evergreen staff do their part as well, serving as ambassadors on the night of the event. Thank you!
Community Access Services partnered with the Buffalo Urban League Young Professionals and the Divine Nine to present a community voter education, registration and polling assignment look-up event in October. Local businesses Clementine Gold Group and Life In My Hair Salon sponsored. The event reached over 100 community members, assisted 15 with registering to vote and aided 67 with securing their polling site. Additionally, we assisted 10 individuals with signing up to be paid poll workers. All information was delivered directly to the Erie County Board of Elections. Kudos to everyone involved in making this community event a success! Thank you Kim Brown for the report and the photos.
Information Governance & Security (IGS) is something you'll be hearing more about in coming months. Let's start with the basics: IGS encompasses everything - people, processes and technology - required to be aware of and in compliance with the regulations and best practices which create consistent and proper handling of data and understanding of information across the organization. In other words, IGS is everything involved with getting the most out of our data while keeping it safe and secure.
The Information Governance & Security Committee (IGSC) was formed in February of 2020 to take a leadership role in the creation, implementation and oversight of Evergreen's information and data management. This involves factors such as security goals, standards, practices and processes. The IGSC makes sure we're compliant with the rules and regulations governing every area of data collection, interpretation and storage as well as keeping them aligned with our mission and goals. This is essential so that we can retain accreditations, meet federal and state requirements and regulations, reduce risk to our system, and, ultimately, provide better care to the communities we serve.
Members of the IGSC are Julie Vaughan, director of information governance; Kevin Bidtah, chief information & inclusion officer; Nicole Coonly, data trust and engagement manager; Leyla Gentil-Rosado, administrative assistant; Kimberly Harding, director of corporate records and policy; Anna Ihle, director of clinical systems; Alan Jacyszyn,
senior director of information technology; Mistine Keis, manager of information systems optimization; Julie Mayer, AVP of health information; Chris Mihalitsas, corporate compliance specialist; and Ricardo Quiros, health information manager. Bill Dimmig, corporate compliance officer, is also involved with committee projects as needed. The committee meets monthly, with subcommittees that meet more frequently for different projects that arise.
The IGSC is focusing on all aspects of data, from security to standardization. It also works to make sure we're well-positioned for changes in the world of information. One example of this is the rise of artificial intelligence. "AI has gained a lot of momentum over the last year in the healthcare setting," notes Chris Mihalitsas. "The IGSC developed an agency-wide policy around AI, and has worked with multiple stakeholders on safe use of AI in their daily workflows."
The goal is, of course, to improve the quality of the care we provide to our patients and the community. But staff benefits from the IGSC's work, as well. "IGSC gives them the support they need to endeavor into new technology advancements that improve their workflows while still maintaining safety and security of our data and information assets," said Chris.
Watch for more on the IGSC in next month's Connections, along with Blink posts.
The judges pose with the top three finishers
Clockwise: the HR crew shows off their matching PrEP Awareness
Week gear. Kristy Mangel, marketing and communications project manager, works a volunteer shift at the food pantry, helping assemble bags. The THRIVE Wellness team presented on their Diabetes program. We're getting new steps at the Commons!
Publisher/Layout
John Carocci
Copy Editors
Jean Conway
Emily McGorry
Kristy Mangel
Maggie Carrig
Contributors
Eric Poniatowski
Melissa Delgado
Christopher Cline
Andy Kiener
Rebekah Beckwith
Laurie Matson
Mindi Levine
Connections is the official 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.
Team Evergreen breaks out the red and blue to show their team spirit!
Care Coordination Week is a great opportunity to recognize and thank our Care Coordination staff for the great work they do on behalf of patients every day. Special thanks to Mindi Levine, director of care coordination services, for photos of the Buffalo celebration and Rebekah Beckwith, data and administrative assistant and Laurie Matson, AVP of care coordination for the Southern Tier for photos of the Jamestown celebration!
Zachary Marchese November 1
Christina Rotthoff November 2
Joseph Sessa November 3
Lavine Hatten November 3
Jason Henderson............................... November 3
Marlyn Moore...................................... November 5
Amber Killian November 7
Geoff Brightman November 7
Susan Fiedler November 8
Pedro Torres November 9
Renee VanAernam November 10
Izaria Ortiz November 10
Angela Palmer November 10
Kendra Galligan .................................. November 10
Kevin Bidtah November 10
Annie-Lee Mahoney November 10
Marcia Derby November 12
Sadiyah Jackson November 12
Brittney Warham November 13
Celena Rothrock November 14
Christopher Malinowski November 14
Joanne Keuck ..................................... November 14
Sharee Harris November 15
Angela Woodward November 15
Alexandrea Sailing November 17
Hannah Auflick November 17
DeMarco, Shari November 18
Linda Berkoh-Asamoah November 20
Jessica Baker November 21
Nicholas Maggi................................... November 22
Elisa Luciano November 23
Keaira Aiken November 24
Pasley Price November 26
Munya Kee November 26
Katherine Kawa November 26
Tangela Watson-Bogan November 26
Yalitza Melo Estrada November 26
Maria Cruz ........................................... November 26
Alexandria Aiello ................................. November 27
Steven Bennett November 27
Meghan Kinnaird November 27
Amanda Honan November 27
Rachel Garcia November 28
Margo Burgio November 30
Mariah Waller November 30
DONATION DRIVE
The Communities of Color and Fun Collective Employee Resource Group are working together on a donation drive for Academy School 131. This is an alternative high school with 200 students in the Buffalo Public School District. Children at this school are living in poverty and some are homeless. This month, we will be accepting donations. Items to donate include:
• Bath towels
• Gently used hoodies, sneakers, t shirts, jeans
• Boxer briefs
• Teenage girl underwear
• Hygiene and school supplies
• Boxing gloves and hand wraps
We're accepting donations at Downtown Buffalo and Bailey. Contact Evergreen Training and Development for more information or if you would like to donate items.
ANNUAL TRAININGS
The second round of 2024's Annual Trainings are available on Evergreen University and will need to be completed by December 31. Evergreen Health, Community Access Services and Pride Center of WNY employees are required to complete all mandatory trainings each year. Please make sure to schedule enough time between now and the end of the year to complete these trainings. If you have any questions, reach out to Evergreen Training and Development.
