February final by Evergreen Health

Carrie Rich................................... 2|15 Liza Pereira.................................. 2|16 Christine Marrano....................... 2|17 Jakob Willoughby....................... 2|19 Kristen Sullivan........................... 2|20 Robert Diaz.................................. 2|21 Sheila Marcheson....................... 2|22 George Ludlow............................ 2|23 Ian Eastman................................ 2|24 Melissa Laux............................... 2|24 Charles Hunt................................ 2|25 Kimberley LaVare....................... 2|25 Victoria DeLeon.......................... 2|26 Stefanie Lyons............................. 2|27 Christopher Miller....................... 2|27 Steven Jagord............................. 2|28 David Setlock............................... 2|29

Evergreen’s Quality Team has developed a series of comment cards to collect feedback from our clients. This information will help us identify areas which need improvement, and refine the areas that are already successful. Comment card boxes are now located in more than 20 public areas around the agency, such as Primary and Specialty Care, the Wellness Center, and the Pride Center. Cards feature questions tailored to the services offered in each particular area, with room at the bottom for more detailed responses. The Quality Team collects completed cards weekly, and forwards them to individual departments if any action or response is required. Data is gathered and analyzed, and the Team prepares a summary report every three months. Here are some of the numbers. Percentages shown reflect the number of “YES” responses, indicating good customer service. For example, 76% of responses said “YES” when asked if Evergreen helps manage their life. The balance, in this case 24%, are “KIND OF” and “NO” responses combined, indicating room for improvement. Look for more information from the Quality Team in future issues of Connections, as well as the agency intranet. Connections

February Anniversaries John Carocci.......................... 23 years Jerome Robinson................. 9 years Joshua McClain.................... 8 years Nicole Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Addario.................... 7 years Kimberly Harding.................. 7 years Saw Min.................................. 6 years Thomas Green....................... 3 years Sergio Ponce.......................... 2 years Monique Stays....................... 2 years Christine Marrano................. 1 year Kristen Rickert....................... 1 year Adam Eisenhauer................. 1 year Byron McKinney.................... 1 year Michael Deeb......................... 1 year Tamika Cruz........................... 1 year Michael Guilford.................... 1 year Xavier Washington............... 1 year Jacob Marsh.......................... 1 year Joseph Sieracki..................... 1 year

I was so jealous of Christina Ricci in the movie ‘Casper’ when she got to dance/float with Devon Sawa! I told everyone I had a crush on Christina, but I knew I was really crushing on Devon. — Billy Sandora-Nastyn z My first crush was in 4th grade. I thought I was sly by asking her friend about her “relationship status.” Yeah, that backfired when her friend announced it to the entire class after a fire drill. It really set the tone for the rest of my dating life. — Sean Tulumello z I can’t begin to tell you the fantasies that I had for Shaun Cassidy when I was a young boy. Talk about a Hardy Boy! Of course, Parker Stevenson tugged at me too! — Richard Baer z My celebrity crush was Marc Anthony. — Magali Maldonado z My first crush was Kimberly the Pink Ranger from the Power Rangers (but I think I wanted to be her more than wanting to be her boyfriend) — Jimi Konidis z First Crush: Dukes of Hazard was always my favorite TV show. I don’t think it had as much to do with the General Lee as it did with Bo and Luke Duke. — Rob Baird

hristina Mihalitsas is the Information Systems Security Coordinator at Evergreen. She grew up in Henrietta, a suburb of Rochester, and graduated

from the University at Buffalo with a degree in Psychology (she’s currently working on another degree in Information Security). After working for eight years at the ECMC Immunodeficiency Clinic, Christina joined Evergreen’s Information Systems (IS) team. “I’ve worked with the HIV population for so long,” says Christina. “These clients and patients are why I put my heart and soul into my work, no matter what my job entails.”

Christina’s job entails quite a bit, actually. Her

overall goal is always to protect the electronic security of Evergreen’s users and clients. “If our network becomes compromised,” she notes, “there’s a lot to lose. Files, patient records, databases, emails, and more. I don’t think people realize that.”

With this in mind, Christina works on a variety

of projects designed to keep Evergreen’s computer systems — and sensitive information — safe. She audits various IS sub-systems (HealtheLink, for example) to ensure appropriate access for all users, and is part of a team developing a response to an agency-wide security audit that was completed in 2016. “There are many elements involved,” Christina notes. “I’m meeting with the

If our network becomes compromised, there’s a lot to lose. I don’t think people realize that. - Christina Mihalitsas directors to gather information on all of the IS

information and electronic files. It’s also a critical

procedures. This is helping me identify areas

part of our compliance with HIPAA and numerous

where we have to tighten security, run additional

other laws, regulations, and guidelines.

audits, etc.” Christina is also helping complete

expanded policies and procedures regarding IS

predators it’s important to have someone — or

and security. “We have them in place,” she notes.

as many someones as possible — thinking about

“But we’re tightening them up and making them

information security,

more robust.” The push for maximum vigilence

Christina. “In the 4 months that I’ve been working

with regard to information security comes from

here, I’ve been able to see what an amazing

internal and external sources. “HIPAA is a huge

infrastructure Evergreen has. This helps all of

dictating factor for my role and workflow when

us do our jobs more efficiently and report to our

completing audits,” says Christina.

funders more accurately. And, of course, it’s set

up to protect our information.”

In addition to security-based job duties,

“I think that in a world full of electronic

HIPAA, ePHI, etc,” says

Christina works with Medent, setting up new

user accounts, managing security profiles, and

and preparing for the worst. “My coworkers are

providing support for issues that arise on a

amazing,” she says. “Everyone is so friendly here!

daily basis. She is also implementing a software

I love IS, and working with awesome folks just

program called PSYCKES which gives appropriate

makes it better!”

staff access to medicaid claim information for

their clients.

married. “We have two awesome children,” she

says. “And we have two dogs and a three legged

Christina is aware of the impact her work has

on the agency, helping us protect confidential

Christina’s work life isn’t all fear and gloom

Outside of Evergreen, Christina recently got

cat. These guys are my life.”

Connections

Key West is an incredible place with history, interesting people, and a stunning geographic location. It’s true, I’m biased toward any place that sits on an ocean and a gulf. The sights and sounds of the coastal environment soothe our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. The best way to enjoy the island scenery is to rent a scooter for at least a day or two... so much fun! A particular point of interest for me is the Hemmingway House, located just feet from the town’s original lighthouse on the south end of the island (going up the lighthouse and stepping outside at the top is not for the faint hearted). Hemingway House is gorgeous, well preserved, and 45 documented cats, descendents of Hemingway’s pets, live on the property. They’re cared for by a private veterinarian that comes to the house once a week. The house also boasts Key West’s first swimming pool, constructed back in the day for a measly $20,000. One of the best Artisan French Bakeries I’ve ever been to is “La Grignote”. The ham and cheese croissant is something to experience, especially on the outdoor porch overlooking Duval Street. If you’re looking for a breathtaking sunset view over Sunset Pier as you dine outside, then “Hot Tin Roof” is where you want to be. The charm of the mostly European staff warms your heart, and you’ll be pampered with delicious food. The fillet of beef could possibly melt in your mouth without even chewing. It would be remiss of me to not mention “Better than Sex” a decadent, eccentric, dark house dessert served with a coffee and Bailey’s that will have you licking the rim. So, if any of this sounds fun, head south to the keys until you arrive at the one all the way down and to the west. - Steven Sanders

My must-check websites for news are: NYT and BBC, and for shopping: Nordstrom, Liketoknow.it, and Anthropologie. — Melissa Murray

I’m a bit addicted to Buffalo Rising. I always

want to know about new developments going on around the city and I also like rolling my eyes at the comments section. — Billy Sandora-Nastyn

— Sean Tulumello

Reddit. It’s the front page of the internet! My must-check websites are those that

alert me to news updates. — Magali Maldonado (Internet Movie Data Base). — Jimi Konidis

IMDB.com

I love to look at

house and apartment listings on craigslist. It feels like snooping, and I can find fun ideas for my own house. — John Carocci

Editor’s Note: protecting sensitive information has been a top priority at Evergreen for over three decades. It used to mean keeping paper files under lock and key, and getting client consent before sharing any information with other providers. Things are more complicated now. Electronic files, patient records, databases, mobile devices, and email must be treated with the same caution as those paper files of years past. Fortunately, Evergreen’s IS team has developed a system of safeguards meant to protect our information and communication files. This month, Christina talks about how Evergreen’s computer network fights viruses, and what you can do to help keep our precious information secure. Evergreen utilizes ESET Internet Security and Malware Bytes to protect our technology from viruses. If you notice these icons on your computer:

that’s what they are for. All of our computers / tablets / laptops are automatically scanned on a daily basis, and anti-virus software (AVS) is updated hourly. AVS scans files or your computer’s memory for certain patterns that may indicate the presence of malicious software, or malware. AVS manufacturers find new and updated malware daily. If your AVS doesn’t automatically scan new files, you should manually scan files and media you receive from an outside source before opening them. This process includes saving and scanning email attachments or web downloads rather than opening them directly from the source, along with scanning media, including CDs and DVDs, for malware before opening files. It’s easy. Save and scan any attachments before opening them. If you have to open an attachment before you can verify the source, take the following steps: save the file to your computer or a disk, then manually scan the file using your AVS (right click on the file and choose to scan the file with your installed AVS). If the file is clean and doesn’t seem suspicious, go ahead and open it. Turn off the option to automatically download attachments. To simplify the process of reading email, many email programs offer the feature to automatically download attachments. Check your settings to see if your software offers the option, and make sure to disable it. C

by Ja k o b W illoughby

Many people think workplace safety is only an important issue in

approved. A Don’t use chairs or desks as step stools. Feel free to ask

factory or industrial settings, rather than in an office. While an office

a Facilities Team member for assistance. A When storing items, make

may have fewer mechanical hazards, diminished attention to safety

sure they load is balanced to prevent stacks from toppling over, or

concerns can lead to other serious problems. As always, we feel our

broken products. A If you have cause to lift anything heavy, remember

employees are our most valuable resource, and therefore your safety

to bend at the knees, not at the back, and keep the item close to your

is our prime concern. There are a few ways that you can help us keep

body. When in doubt, ask for assistance. A Be aware of any potential

you safe and secure. A Keep walkways free of cords, personal articles,

repetitive task injuries. If you spend a fair amount of time typing or

and debris. A Clean, or report, any spills or excess liquid on floors.

sitting, change position and give your eyes a rest from time to time. A

Mark the area if you’re able. A Keep all drawers closed when not in use,

These are just a sample of suggestions for your own personal safety.

and always load filing cabinets from the bottom up, to avoid tipping. A

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate

To prevent fires or shocks, beware of damaged cords or unapproved

to submit a ticket via Web Helpdesk, or in the event of a imminent

electrical equipment. All personal electronics or lighting must be UL

situation that needs our attention, dial extension 8888. Connections