Dena Davis, LPN, is a nurse through and through. Drawn to nursing from an early age, it’s a core part of her identity. For Dena, life — and nursing — is about the people, the relationships, the sharing, the connection. Meet Dena for yourself!

How long have you been a nurse?
8 years 

How long have you worked at RVNA?
3 years this August.

Where did you grow up?
I have lived in Connecticut my entire life. I currently live in New Milford.

When did you decide you wanted to become a nurse?
I was originally a CNA (certified nursing assistant) after high school and started nursing school, but eventually transitioned out of that program. Even so, I still found myself working in physician’s offices and in the medical field. Low and behold, after a couple of years I was drawn to nursing school again.

What is your favorite part of nursing?
People. It will always be the people. The relationships we build, the knowledge or experience someone else is willing to share with you. I receive the greatest joy from meeting people in their own environments.

If you weren’t a nurse, what would you be?
There is nothing else. Being a nurse is part of my identity. I cannot see myself being as satisfied in any other profession. I have many roles in life, but my profession is nursing.  

What do you love to do when you’re not working?
I spend as much time as possible with my family outside of work.  

What would you do if you won the lottery?
I would take my family state by state to try different foods. The greatest question is would we be in search of breakfast, dessert, specifically ice cream, or BBQ? Maybe just a search for the best cup of coffee or most ridiculous food truck. Something silly and fun.

They came, they conquered, they left!

So it goes with high school interns. But we treasured the time we had, and sincerely thank our three Ridgefield High School interns, Sarah Cordisco, Rachel Johnston, and Katie Schoenherr, who joined us in May and helped us in ways too myriad to mention.

We appreciated their energy, insights, and enthusiasm and welcome them back whenever they’re in town!

Rachel Johnston

Rachel spent her days at Rehab by RVNA, our onsite physical therapy and rehabilitation center.  Rachel’s goal?  To confirm or deny her interest in the field of physical therapy. Was she convinced? “Yes!” says Rachel. “By looking at the way the therapists interacted with the patients, I learned that it takes a lot of social skills in addition to medical knowledge to be the most helpful.”  Rachel was also impressed by the positivity of the Rehab patients — who were upbeat and interested in her future, even as they came in for their own treatments — as well as the closeness and collegiality of the Rehab by RVNA team.

Rachel now looks forward to two weeks of European travel, followed by summer lifeguarding, and preparing for her first year at Bucknell University.

Sarah Cordisco and Katie Schoenherr

Sarah and Katie spent their RVNAhealth internships working and helping nearly every department in the organization. From philanthropy to marketing to clinical, making blankets, creating mailings and materials, they saw it all.

Their favorite part? Going out in the field with RVNAhealth clinicians to visit patients. “It was so much fun!” they exclaimed. And the clinicians agree. They were a breath of fresh air indeed.

For the summer, Katie will continue her job as a hostess at Hoodoo Brown in Ridgefield (bonus dining tip: Tuesday nights are the least crowded) with travel plans to Rhode Island, Long Beach Island, and …. Aruba with her family. “It’s my first time out of the country!” says Katie.  And Sarah departs promptly for Camp Woodstock in Woodstock, CT where she’ll be a camp counselor through mid-August, returning just in time for her next adventure.

In the fall, Sarah heads north to study nursing at the University of Vermont and Katie heads south to the nursing program at the University of Delaware, where they’ll both expand upon their recent learnings.

Thank you again interns, we’ll miss you and … Godspeed!

For those of you who phone RVNA in need of our services, chances are the Centralized Care Coordination team has answered your call — literally and figuratively. And care coordinator Kendall Krafick may very well have been the friendly voice on the other end of the phone. Lucky for us, a career change brought Kendall to RVNA. What did Kendall bring to us? Her own blend of enthusiasm, excellence, and empathy to everything she does. See what we mean….

Where did you grow up? Where do you reside now?
I lived in Brookfield, CT until I was 3 and have lived in the same house in Danbury ever since!

What did you study in school?
I majored in Health Sciences and minored in Rehabilitation & Disability Studies at Springfield College in MA.

What brought you to RVNA?
I was previously a CNA for about four years at a nursing home and decided that I wanted to broaden my experience by working in home care on the administrative side.

What is your role at RVNA?
I work in the Care Coordination Department where we process HomeCare, Lifeline, and Home Health referrals. We speak with everyone who might refer a patient to RVNAhealth – physicians’ offices, family members and individuals themselves.

How long have you worked at RVNA?
Since September 2017. (A newbie!)

What is your favorite part of your job?
I had been used to direct patient contact, which I certainly do miss. However, this job has allowed me to see health care from a completely different perspective. I’ve truly realized how much work goes into patient care behind the scenes.

Did you ever consider another profession?
I’ve always known that I want to work in health care and I just recently came to the realization that my dream job is becoming a nurse. I hope to return to school for an accelerated program in 2019. Perhaps I’ll return to RVNAhealth as a clinician!

What do you love to do when you’re not working?
I enjoy spending time with my family (including my pups) and friends. If it’s a sunny day, you can probably find me at the beach.

What is your hidden talent?
I competed in Irish Dance for 10 years!

What would you do if you won the lottery?
I would definitely save some for nursing school and use some to travel, too.

Do you have a favorite RVNAhealth moment or story?
I’m constantly smiling or laughing in the office with my co-workers. Care Coordination is a centralized department now and we’re a very close and collaborative team.  I have to be the best I can be for my newer co-workers, who are absolutely wonderful. We take a lot of pride in our work and ability to help everyone we speak with.

Summer vacation in nearly here, providing a break from the schedules and commitments of the school year.  You can improve your children’s chances of future health and success by making sure they have lots of opportunity to enjoy outside play. The current generation of children differs markedly from the last generation in the amount of time it spends indoors. Among other things, this is attributed to increased time interacting with electronic devices, more scheduled activities instead of unstructured outside play time, concerns about sun exposure and for some families, the lack of suitable outdoor play places. Adults, too, are spending less time outside.

Playing outside benefits children in lots of different ways: their bodies need sun to make vitamin D, which plays a crucial role in bone development, immune system function and helps with sleep. While overexposure can be dangerous, our bodies work best when we get some sunshine every day. Outside play is also typically active, which provides opportunity for children to get the hour or more of exercise they should experience daily.

The unstructured part of outside play increases executive function by helping kids learn how to plan, prioritize, negotiate and multitask. And there are the creative and problem-solving aspects of outside play, all of which are crucial skills for life success. Playing outside can involve positive risk taking too. If children never take risks by trying new things or attempting to make new friends on the playground, they won’t learn how to accept failure and learn from it. Unstructured outside play also benefits children socially by helping them learn how to make friends, share and cooperate, and treat others. And, lastly, it is important to give children an appreciation of nature. They are the future guardians of our planet, and unless they’re given the opportunity to walk in the woods, dig in the sand or play in a stream, they may not understand how important the natural world is and how our actions impact it.

One of the nice things about working for RVNAhealth is that the breadth and scope of services allows for different options for those of us who work there.

Take Jessica Gilmore, for example. She started at RVNAhealth as a non-medical caregiver for HomeCare by RVNAhealth working in the field and caring for customers in their homes. Eighteen months later, she’s at a desk in the RVNAhealth building, helping HomeCare clients get the services and care they need. Jessica doesn’t miss the driving, but she does miss her clients!

Where did you grow up? Where do you reside now?
I grew up in Norwalk and now I live in Fairfield.

What brought you to HomeCare by RVNA?
I came to HomeCare about a year and a half ago working in the field as a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant).

Note: CNAs are HomeCare by RVNA’s caregivers who provide non-medical care to customers in their homes. Jessica did this for just under 18 months before her talents and insights led her to a new position — this time in the RVNAhealth building in Ridgefield. 

What is your current role at RVNA?
My new role is a Client Service Coordinator. I help ensure that our clients are getting the care and service they need and that we are matching the right caregivers to the right families.

How does your new role compare to your time in the field?
I don’t really miss all the driving, but I do miss talking to and working with many of the clients and helping them in their beautiful homes!

What is your favorite part of your new job?
My favorite part of my new job is working with the very lovely ladies in the office with me and understanding what my clients on the phone are really looking for. It’s also nice to have weekends off!

What do you love to do when you’re not working?
I love to go on vacation and enjoy going to different festivals.

What is your hidden talent?
I would say my hidden talent is doing art, painting, and drawing.

What would you do if you won the lottery?
If I won the lottery, I would take a couple of vacations and buy my dream home. But I would definitely keep working. (Good thing, says RVNA!)

Physical therapist and sports fan, Jeff Panepento, never seriously considered going into any other career than PT– unless you count his childhood dream of being a professional baseball player. Jeff has been with RVNAhealth for two years, and we think he’s right where he was meant to be. MLB’s loss was RVNA’s gain!

Where did you grow up? Where do you reside now?
I grew up in Rochester, NY, and now live in New Milford, CT.

What brought you to RVNA?
I was looking for a change after over 10 years at a previous clinic and heard that RVNAhealth was a great organization.  The more I learned about it through the interview process, the more impressed and excited I was at the possibility of working here.

What is your role at RVNA? I’m a physical therapist onsite at Rehab by RVNA, and I also treat patients in their homes for RVNA’s northern territory, which includes New Milford, Brookfield, Danbury, Bridgewater, and surrounding areas.

What is your favorite thing about your job?
This is just a great organization with great people. I enjoy the variety of treating patients both in our Rehab by RVNA facility and in their homes. And, I’ve really enjoyed being a part of the growth of our on-site services.

Did you ever consider another profession?
Nothing seriously. Other than professional baseball player, of course.

What do you love to do when you’re not working?
Spending time with my kids and family, sports, and working out.

What is your hidden talent?
I was born with no sense of smell, like many of my other family members. I guess that could be considered a talent in some cases….

What would you do if you won the lottery?
I would travel with my family, probably do some home updates, and definitely get some great front-row seats to some awesome sporting events and shows.

Do you have a favorite RVNAhealth moment or story to share?
I just think it’s been cool that I’ve been able to work with people through their whole rehab process — from the day after they came home from the hospital and began physical therapy at home, to the conclusion of their therapy at Rehab by RVNA when they’re fully recovered. It’s given me a unique perspective on the therapy process and has been very rewarding to be with some of these great people from A to Z!

For Chris Couri, Supporting RVNAhealth is Personal

Ridgefield native and business owner, Chris Couri, is part of a family dedicated to supporting local philanthropies. It’s no surprise, then, that he is an active supporter of RVNA. As the co-owner and president of Young’s of Ridgefield fencing and landscaping and President of We Do Lines, a parking lot striping company, Couri brings not only his generosity, but also his business acumen and services to the table. In fact, Young’s landscapes the grounds of the RVNAhealth building and We Do Lines “did the lines” in RVNA’s parking lot on Governor Street. Inside the building, Couri is a member of the RVNAhealth Development Committee, helping to cultivate donor and community relationships, and supports RVNA’s local fundraising events throughout the year. In addition to tending bar for RVNA’s 2017 Guest Bartender Night at Gallo Ristorante and chairing the 2016 Autumn Dinner, Couri serves as a member of the Marketing Committee and, thus, is a familiar face around the agency.

“RVNAhealth is very meaningful to my family because of the high level of service and care they provide in the Ridgefield community and beyond, to people in need from birth through end of life,” he says. “As they say, excitement is contagious. When you spend even just five minutes at RVNA, the amazing energy and constant buzz of good people doing good things proves how true that is. Giving back to our community is paramount in each of our businesses, and we feel honored to be able to support RVNA, their mission, and their team of all stars!”

Behind the scenes this year, as part of his RVNAhealth Governor Society membership, Couri sponsored the RVNAhealth Spelling Bee, Health & Wellness Fair, Spring Breakfast, and has pledged to support the upcoming Autumn Dinner with auction items and in-kind donations from his businesses. Couri himself was instrumental in creating and defining the Governor Society, an opportunity for loyal RVNAhealth business donors to structure their annual contributions of $1,000 or more in a way that is particularly meaningful to them as individuals and naturally aligned with their business offerings.

“Donors like the Couris, who look to support us more than just financially, but on a personal level, as well, with their time and expertise, are an essential part of RVNA’s connection to the community,” says RVNAhealth President and CEO, Theresa Santoro. “They serve the very community to which they belong every time they support our mission.”

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities at RVNAhealth or becoming a member of the Governor Society, contact Mary Jean Heller, director of philanthropy at (203) 438-5555 x1206.

RVNAhealth Offers Home Safety Assessments and Modification Plans

We all want to feel comfortable and safe in our own homes. But, what’s comfortable and safe for one person may not be for another. And, your safety needs may change throughout your life, particularly if you have a change in your health. Maybe you’re having a joint replacement and need temporary modifications for better accessibility. Maybe you have arthritis and need a permanent solution to make your home more workable for you. Or, maybe you simply want to be sure you can stay in your home safely as you age. Whatever your situation, RVNAhealth can help.

Our skilled clinicians are trained to provide home safety evaluations and develop modification plans for those in need of temporary or permanent adjustments to their homes. Suggested modifications may be as simple as eliminating throw rugs, improving lighting, adding non-slip treads to the stairs, or installing grab bars in a shower. More elaborate solutions may include equipment such as lift chairs, ramps, or hospital beds.

“RVNA’s home evaluations are all about helping our customers remain comfortable and safe at home,” says RVNAhealth Care Coordination Manager Melissa Woodhouse, RRT, MOT, OTR/L, CDP. “Even small adjustments can make a big difference to a person’s safety and well-being.”

As part of the home evaluation, RVNAhealth works with clients to assess the property, identify areas of concern, recommend solutions, and help source products as needed.

“Our clinical expertise enables us to assess not only what a customer needs now, but also what they may need in the future,” adds Woodhouse. “And, we’re always available to re-evaluate at any point along the way.”

To schedule a home safety evaluation or learn more, contact RVNAhealth at 203-243-5555, option 2.

Home evaluations are very frequently covered by insurance. As part of the service, RVNAhealth helps clients determine if their assessment qualifies for coverage under Medicare or other plans prior to performing an assessment. For those assessments not covered by insurance, the standard fee is $149.

Spring in New England has finally arrived, and summer is not far behind. We all look forward to spending more time outdoors, which means more time in the sun. The downside is that increased sun exposure brings with it an increased risk of ultraviolet (UV) skin damage, sunburn, and possibly skin cancer. The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention reports that skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S., with more than 3.5 million new cases diagnosed and 2.2 million people treated annually. Each year the new cases of skin cancer exceed the combined incidence of breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime, and melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, is the second most common form of cancer for those 15-29 years old. Whether from the sun or an artificial source, UV radiation is known to cause cancer, and it affects people of all races and ethnicities.

Even on a hazy or cloudy day, bad sunburns can develop because of accidental overexposure. The skin can repair a reasonable number of mutations that result from UV exposure, but this safety mechanism can be overwhelmed by massive DNA damage caused by a sunburn. Mutations that aren’t repaired can lead to the development of skin cancer.

A suntan is the skin’s way of trying to protect itself from additional sun damage. Because DNA or cellular damage is the prerequisite for pigment production, a suntan is a sure sign that the skin has been harmed. As of now, there are no effective treatments to reverse the damage and mutations caused by a sunburn, so prevention is key.

To protect yourself from overexposure, try to follow these precautions: do not let yourself burn or tan either outdoors or in tanning beds; seek shade when outdoors, especially between 10am and 4pm; wear sun-protective clothing such as long sleeves, hats, sunglasses, etc.; apply sunscreen generously; use caution near water, sand and snow which reflect the sun’s damaging rays; check the UV index reported by the National Weather Service; and get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet and not excessive sun or indoor tanning.

Rosalind Harris is the administrative manager at RVNA. This means that she brings order, process, pragmatism — and often a healthy dose of humor and fun —  to the organization, building and the team.  Ros has worked at RVNAhealth for nearly 10 years … but did she ever aspire to be a nurse herself? Read on and find out.

Where did you grow up and where do you reside now? I grew up in Greenwich, lived in Ridgefield for 20 years, and now live in Danbury.

What brought you to RVNA? I learned of the opportunity at RVNAhealth and it sounded like a great organization to be involved with. It still is.

What is your role at RVNA? I’m the administrative manager and oversee contracts, office management, and assist Theresa. (That’s Theresa Santoro, President and CEO, incidentally.)

How long have you worked at RVNA? The time has flown by, but I will have been at RVNAhealth 10 years this summer.

What is your favorite part of your job? I love working with our staff and helping to make the office run as smoothly as possible.

Did you ever consider being a nurse? Oh no. I have the greatest admiration for all of our clinicians, but I don’t think I could inject an orange!

What do you love to do when you’re not working? I’m am outdoor person so I love to hike, ski, garden and kayak. I’m in a fun book group too and love going to my second home in Maine.

What is your hidden talent? I don’t think I have any.  (Editor’s note: Not true) I was a figure skater when I was young, so I can still get around pretty well on my skates.

What would you do if you won the lottery? Set up a charitable foundation and help RVNAhealth and other worthy causes. I’d probably travel too.

Do you have a favorite RVNAhealth moment or story?  I do have a funny story, but I don’t want to share it on the world wide web. Remind me to tell it to you some time!