Be a VNA Ambassador!
The Ambassadors Group was formed as a result of staff suggestions at our Hampton Inn meetings last year. The group's charge was to find ways to arm staff with basic information about all VNA programs and services. In July, a small group of staff representing departments throughout the VNA began meeting to develop strategies for staff education and experiences.
This group prepared a MENU of program/department presentations for Teams to choose from. These educational sessions run 10-15 minutes. Presentation templates were completed by the program/department managers and represent a consistent approach to describing their work. Please review the MENU of presentations and choose one for your next team meeting or gathering. The Menu can be used as a tracking sheet to document presentations your team has received. (Please let Lyndsay Driscoll know when you schedule presentations or schedule directly through Lyndsay.)
We encourage you to select a session for staff education at as many meetings as you can. There was a clear and resounding request for this information from staff at our meetings last spring and this is our opportunity to respond and provide all VNA employees and volunteers with the material they need to be a "VNA Ambassador"!
The templates are available to everyone on Staff Forum if you would like to preview the information. We plan to roll out individual presentations periodically in Homeward Bound and will include a link to the Menu and templates.
Thank you everyone. I think this will be an interesting and fun way to help our staff feel they are part of the larger organization - THE VNA!
Best Regards,

Judy Peterson, President and CEO
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Changes in Finance
By: James Manahan, CFO
It is with mixed feelings that I announce David Hedelund's retirement, after 17 years of dedicated service to the VNA. I say mixed feelings because I am happy for David, but also know we are going to miss his accounting skills, his humor and his institutional knowledge of the VNA. The VNA has been fortunate to have David's accounting and finance knowledge, as well as his thoroughness and extraordinary attention to detail, to keep our book squeaky clean. David is the consummate professional and a pleasure to work with. Even our auditor, Brad Borbidge, has remarked about what he's going to learn from David each year during our audit. On behalf of the entire Finance & Operations team, I would like to wish David the very best for a long, happy and healthy retirement. I also wish him warm gentle rains (at night) and sunny days for his gardening.
I am also pleased to announce the promotion of Patty Gratton from Senior Financial Analyst to Finance & Accounting Supervisor. Patty has proven to be a valuable member of our FinOps team and has shown her willingness to do what is necessary to get the job done. We are in the midst of interviewing candidates for a Staff Accountant/Financial Analyst position to replace Patty in her current role. We envision this individual will replicate the role Patty has held and learn the accounts payable, payroll, monthly closing and ad hoc financial analysis functions to serve as a second hand and backup to both Patty and Nancy Muzzy. I am excited for this opportunity for Patty and to further developing the "bench strength" in our Finance & Operations department.
I invite you to please join me in congratulating David on his well-deserved retirement, as well as Patty for her promotion.
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The Spirit Committee would like to thank all the generous donations from the following businesses' (please thank them if you get the chance) and also to our very own VNA staff for making this the best raffle giveaway ever!!!
VNA Staff: Business:
Allison Mercure | | 3 Squares Café | Mazza's /Mark Mazza | Carolyn Guenther | | American Legion | McCaffrey's Sunoco | Carrie Campbell | | Babies to Boomers | Mirabelle's | Francesca Creta-Merill | Bayview Eats | Muddy Waters | Gail Alexander | | Bloomin Onion | NY Pizza Oven | Gail Lavigne | | Claussens | Penny Cluse Café | Geri Charboneau | | Cyclepath | Pizzeria Verita | Heidi Brodtman | | Danform Shoes | Pomykala Farms | Judy Peterson | | Dolly Mazza | Revitalize Massage | Laurie Pinsonneault | | Earl's | | Seaway Car Wash | Leeza Mossey | | Fleet Feet | Ski Rack | | Lisa Barron | | Gite Vert le Mont B & B | South End Studio | Mary McDermott | | Global Pathways | Speeder & Earls | Michelle Denault - Reynolds | Handys Lunch | Sterling Furniture Works | Nicole Haley | | Homeport | Subway | | Phyllis Boczar | | Joli Hair Studio | Wear U Lead | Rachel Doran | | Lake Shore Hair | | | Sarah Curtis | | Linda Turner | | | Sheri Commo | | Little Red Kitchen | | | | | | | | | |
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Fun At Work Day
The VNA Spirit Committee would like to invite you to celebrate "VNA Fun at Work Day" on Friday, May 22nd.
Here are the details: VNA Fun at Work Day |
Fun Run & Jiggety Jog Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our 2015 Vermont Respite House Fun Run and Jiggety Jog! Thanks to individual donations, registrations, Jiggety Jog Club fundraising and our generous corporate sponsorships, this year's Jog has raised more than $54,000 for Respite House. We could not have done this without the help of staff who participated and who volunteered to help. Thank you!
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Fish Awards Elese Snay, PCA 3- For her outstanding work ethic and willingness to pick up shifts and cover call outs. Thank you for being a team player! Diane McGill, LNA- Diane is a dedicated, professional, hard worker with a big heart for what she does and the patients she cares for. She is always willing to pick up visits that she is not scheduled for. She goes way above and beyond consistently and never wants or expects acknowledgement for her dedication to the VNA and our clients. Sheila Kleptz, LNA-You will always see Sheila with a smile on her face and she truly enjoys the work she is doing. She goes beyond what is expected all the time. Patients feel taken care of, respected and like she's a member of the family. They tell me often how wonderful Sheila is and the care she provides is skilled and delivered with kindness. In addition, she is always positive and willing to do what is asked of her. You can tell that her profession provides great meaning for her. Danielle Ring- Danielle went above and beyond helping me with a small project I was working on. Even with a painful leg, she hobbled around in her very fun way to help me out! Do you know a coworker who represents the FISH philosophy? If so, fill out a nomination form and return it to the Quality/Education Department |
Target Date Funds: Understand Your Choices
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The Vermont Department of Health has issued an updated list of Reportable and Communicable Diseases. To find out more, you can visit their website http://healthvermont.gov/prevent/reporting/disease_report.aspx or go directly to the list by clicking here: Reportable and Communicable Disease Rule |

Assigned Module
Many of you have attended a training session on the RELIAS Learning system and have begun logging in and experimenting with enrolling in course modules. As noted in the training sessions, you are able to self-enroll in anything that interests you in the course library. There will also be times that the VNA specifically assigns you a course to take. These courses are mandatory and you will receive an email notifying you that you have been assigned a training module and how long you have to complete it. If a module is mandatory, you will be paid for your completion time. You are responsible for entering your payroll time in the same format you normally do for any internal required trainings you attend.
We have just rolled out our first mandated course module: Preventing, Recognizing, and Reporting Patient Abuse. If you have a RELIAS account, you have just been enrolled in the training (with the exception of FCS staff). You must log in and complete the training by 5/23/15. You should have a received an email from Relias Learning notifying you, however some may have been sent to the Junk email folder. This should now be fixed for any future emails.
For detailed instructions on how to log in and complete the course click here: RELIAS
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We're Growing!
VNA programs are seeing an increased demand and are being recognized for making positive impacts on a patient's care.
Contact Human Resources if interested in one of the positions listed online or REFER A FRIEND and be eligible for a cash or gas card bonus.
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"Take Control of Your Retirement Plan"
Confused about your retirement options and don't know where to start?
Let Transamerica help you. Private individual meetings are available to all employees for assistance in enrolling in the 403b plan or managing your retirement plan(s).
Tuesday June 2 from 8:30 - 4:00 at the Prim Road Location
Tuesday July 6 from 8:30 - 4:00 at the Prim Road Location
To schedule an appointment go to https://booknow.appointment-plus.com/6sxs9dls/
Or you may contact Human Resources at 860-4449.
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Are you thinking about going back to school? Are you wondering whether you could afford it, or how you can make the time?
I invite you to attend an upcoming webinar with Champlain College to learn more about their online programs and our unique truED alliance, which makes your tuition more affordable than ever before.
For more information please click Here!
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