Left to Right: Amil Gonzalez, Security Officer; Conrad Wint, PCA; Esther Tuffour, PCA; Larry Brown, RN.
I’ve spent some time featuring our behavioral health programs in these messages because it is an increasingly important concern in healthcare. Our program is robust with so many teams working together to care for the changing needs of the community. I want to be sure to thank them all. With the transformation, MSBI will become even more of a behavioral health center of excellence for the system and for the city.
I must acknowledge the work of our Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program, or CPEP. They are an integral part of our behavioral health services. This team admits patients with a mental health emergency, observes and treats them, and often refers them to our other behavioral health programs. I am so thankful for their incredible resilience. They often address very challenging clinical situations. See some members of this exceptional team below.
Back row, Left to Right: Jean Dixon, USA; Gary Carlisle, RN (Nurse Manager); Erika Gerz, MD (Unit Chief); Salomea Kikozashvili, MSW (Social Worker, Adult Team); Michael Romanelli, RN; Julie Reynolds-Rivera, RN. Front row, Left to Right: Nwayieze Ndukwe, MD; Marie Flore Bazile, PCA; Kristina Ohring, MSW (Social Worker, Geriatric Team).
The geriatric psychiatric program on 6 Karpas cares for older patients and some younger patients. Gary Carlisle, RN, the nurse manager, mentioned their efforts in the last year to make the unit safer for staff and patients. This includes the new comfort room for deescalating difficult situations and self-care groups. He also mentioned that sometimes the wonderful bond between geriatric and younger patients is an important part of care and healing. I am so proud of the team below for creating such a thriving environment for patients. The work they do is unbelievable.
I hope you all had a great Fourth and have a wonderful weekend.
Jeremy