RVNAhealth CNA School Graduates Its First Class

Theresa Santoro with graduates of RVNAhealth's 1st CNA School 2024

Pictured: CNA Graduates, teaching staff, and Theresa Santoro, President & CEO, RVNAhealth

RVNAhealth is thrilled to announce the graduation of our inaugural CNA School class! Twelve dedicated students completed the program in August and passed the Connecticut State CNA exam, and we are excited to welcome them to the RVNAhealth team. Each of these graduates excelled in their studies, and we could not be prouder of their hard work and commitment.

Investing In Certified Nursing Assistants as an Integral Part of Healthcare
RVNAhealth CNA School 2024
CNA Students in the RVNAhealth Clinical Training Lab in Ridgefield, honing their skills before moving on to their hands-on clinical training.

Balancing the supply and demand for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) has been challenging at times, which is why we have long envisioned establishing a training program at RVNAhealth to support individuals aspiring to enter the healthcare field. Thanks to the generosity of dedicated donor, Linda Reddy, we are proud to offer a comprehensive training program that not only leads to certification but also provides employment opportunities within our organization. This program offers a valuable pathway for individuals to start or advance their careers, gain diverse experiences, and contribute meaningfully to the evolving healthcare industry. “My donation to RVNAhealth is in honor of my father who had a long-standing career in healthcare and nursing. I am delighted to support this critical initiative to enhance the future of healthcare and am thrilled with the success of the inaugural class,” says Reddy.

Over the past decade, the role of CNAs in the home setting at RVNAhealth has expanded significantly. This reflects the evolving landscape of healthcare, with a growing emphasis on aging in place while receiving high-quality, personalized, and technologically advanced care.

The CNA role serves as a vital entry point for those looking to learn the complexities of patient care in a home setting. CNAs are an integral part of the healthcare team, providing essential care services that help patients remain healthy and comfortable. They often have the most direct contact with patients and their families, and their dedication, compassion, and expertise have a profound impact on patient outcomes.

Congratulations to our CNA Graduates

“Establishing this program has been a longstanding dream of mine,” says Theresa Santoro, President and CEO of RVNAhealth, “and we are incredibly proud to have achieved this goal. This initiative is a testament to RVNAhealth’s commitment to fostering the future of healthcare. By investing in education, we are not only supporting our community but also strengthening our mission to deliver excellence in home healthcare.”

Celebrating successful completion of RVNAhealth’s CNA School 2024
About RVNAhealth

RVNAhealth is a private, 501c(3) non-profit organization which provides a continuum of care to people in 35+ towns across Fairfield, Litchfield, and New Haven Counties. RVNAhealth depends on financial support from individuals like you who believe that healthy communities improve the quality of life for everyone. Every gift — no matter the size — is critical to upholding our mission and sustaining our important work. If you would like to support RVNAhealth’s mission to deliver unmatched, compassionate healthcare when and where it is needed, please click here.

RVNAhealth Earns Top Workplace Award for 11th Time

RVNAhealth wins Hearst Media CT Top Workplace Award 2023

RVNAhealth has once again achieved the prestigious Top Workplaces award by Hearst Connecticut Media for 2023, marking the 11th time since 2011 that they have received this recognition. This accolade is bestowed upon local businesses that excel in fostering an outstanding workplace culture, as determined through confidential employee surveys. The survey participants at RVNAhealth encompass a diverse range of roles, including clinical staff, rehabilitation therapists, and certified nursing assistants, as well as non-medical caregivers and administrative personnel. RVNAhealth falls into the mid-sized company category, which includes enterprises with employee counts ranging from 100 to 999.

Theresa Santoro, MSN, RN, CHCA, President and CEO of RVNAhealth, reflects on the significance of this achievement, stating, “I am immensely proud to witness the unwavering strength and dedication exhibited by our employees. This award serves as a validation of RVNAhealth’s resolute mission and underscores our employees’ commitment to the patients and communities we serve. It’s truly an honor to work alongside this exceptionally talented team.”

The Top Workplaces distinction was conferred upon 61 local Connecticut companies for 2023. To be eligible for consideration, a company must be situated in Fairfield, Litchfield, or New Haven County, and maintain a workforce of at least 35 employees. Employees complete a comprehensive survey about their organization, with the results analyzed to determine the recipients of the awards.

In addition to the rewarding and mission-driven work environment, RVNAhealth offers its employees an array of benefits, including medical and dental insurance, company-sponsored life insurance, a robust retirement plan with generous matching contributions, flexible work arrangements, ongoing training, opportunities for professional development, and well-defined career paths. For those interested in becoming part of the RVNAhealth family, more information can be found at rvnahealth.org/careers/.

RVNAhealth Earns Top Workplaces Award for the 10th Time!

For the 10th time since 2011, RVNAhealth has earned a Top Workplaces award from Hearst Connecticut Media. The award is given to local companies that lead the way in workplace culture based on employee surveys. At RVNAhealth, the employees surveyed include clinical staff — nurses, rehabilitation therapists, and certified nursing assistants — as well as non-medical caregivers and administrative staff. RVNAhealth places in the mid-sized company category which includes companies with between 100 and 999 employees.

“2022 has been a year of gratitude for our employees who embody the mission and culture of our organization.  Following the pandemic and our 2020 merger with Bethel Visiting Nurse Association and New Milford Visiting Nurse & Hospice, I am proud to see the continued strength and dedication of our employees,” says Theresa Santoro, MSN, RN, CHCA, President and CEO of RVNAhealth.  “Earning this award validates the strength of the RVNAhealth mission, and the commitment of our employees to the patients and communities we serve.  It is an honor to work alongside this talented team.”

The Top Workplaces designation was awarded to 59 local Connecticut companies this year. To be considered, a company must be located in Fairfield, Litchfield, or New Haven County, have at least 35 employees, and be nominated for the award by a current employee.  Company employees then complete a survey on their organization after which results are tabulated and prizes awarded.

RVNAhealth was also named a Hearst Connecticut Media Top Workplace in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021.  In addition to enjoying a mission-driven, rewarding workplace, RVNAhealth employees receive a full range of benefits including: medical and dental insurance, company-paid life insurance, a retirement plan with generous matching contributions, flexible work arrangements, training, professional development, and career paths. To learn more about joining the RVNAhealth family, visit  rvnahealth.org/careers/.

Happy Caregiver Appreciation Week 2021

This past week RVNAhealth took time to celebrate Caregiver Appreciation Week and thank our StayingWELL caregivers for their tireless efforts in helping our clients to remain safely and confidently in their homes.  Caregivers were treated to a drop-in reception and a pampering-themed gift bag in both our Ridgefield and New Milford offices.  The StayingWELL caregiving team — over 200 strong — is a group of award-winning individuals who bring pride and compassion to their work and clients. We appreciate and thank these individuals for their tremendous contributions each and every day!

2021 Excellence in Emergency Management Response

On Friday, October 22, RVNAhealth was awarded the 2021 Excellence in Emergency Management Response Award by the Connecticut Association of Healthcare at Home (CAHCH).  The official presentation took place at the annual CAHCH Conference (held virtually again this year) and recognizes an individual, team, or agency that has demonstrated great emergency preparedness and management response skills through an emergency.

RVNAhealth received this award for extraordinary efforts and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The onset and early months of the pandemic were a time of great unknowns and uncertainty, and the RVNAhealth Emergency Management team, led by President & CEO, Theresa Santoro and Chief Clinical Officer, Keri Linardi, employed vision, collaboration, and ingenuity to enable RVNAhealth to step forward from the moment the pandemic arrived in Connecticut. The RVNAhealth Emergency Management team, composed of directors across RVNAhealth departments — including clinical, rehabilitation, and personal caregiving, philanthropy, IT, human resources, intake, finance, and marketing — set the stage for an agency-wide commitment to serving our patients, while ensuring the health and safety of our team and their families.

Since mid-March 2020, RVNAhealth has not turned away a single COVID-19 patient.  We have served over 300 COVID-19 patients, partnered with over 20 skilled nursing and assisted living facilities, and maintained an exceptionally low infection rate throughout. During this time, we have also served thousands of non-COVID patients, enabling them to get the care they needed, at home or at the RVNAhealth headquarters, without risk of infection. Beginning in January 2021, RVNAhealth — committed to the containment of the global pandemic — began administering COVID-19 vaccines as an official State of CT provider.

RVNAhealth is deeply grateful to CAHCH for their recognition of RVNAhealth’s work and response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

See RVNAhealth in action in the early days of the pandemic.

RVNAhealth Earns Top Workplaces Award for the 9th Time!

We did it again!

For the 9th time since 2011, RVNAhealth has earned a Top Workplaces award from Hearst Connecticut Media. The award is given to local companies that lead the way in workplace culture based on employee surveys. At RVNAhealth, the employees surveyed include clinical staff — nurses, rehabilitation therapists, and certified nursing assistants — as well as non-medical caregivers and administrative staff. RVNAhealth places in the mid-sized company category which includes companies with between 100 and 500 employees.      

“2021 marks RVNAhealth’s first year as a ‘tri-agency’ — following our November 2020 merger with Bethel Visiting Nurse Association and New Milford Visiting Nurse & Hospice,” says Theresa Santoro, MSN, RN, CHCA, President and CEO of RVNAhealth.  “Earning this award together validates the strength of the union and the depth of our commitment to the work we do and the patients and communities we serve.  Each year, RVNAhealth faces new healthcare challenges and experiences new triumphs, and earning the Top Workplaces Award is always immensely gratifying. It is a pleasure to work alongside such a talented and compassionate team.” 

The Top Workplaces designation was awarded to 51 Connecticut companies this year. To be considered, a company must be located in Fairfield, Litchfield, or New Haven County, have at least 35 employees, and be nominated for the award by a current employee.  Company employees then complete a survey on their organization after which results are tabulated and prizes awarded.

RVNAhealth was also named a Hearst Connecticut Media Top Workplace in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020.  In addition to enjoying a mission-driven, rewarding workplace, RVNAhealth employees receive a full range of benefits including medical and dental insurance, company-paid life insurance, a retirement plan with generous matching contributions, flexible work arrangements, training and professional development, agency laptops and cell phones. To learn more about joining the RVNAhealth family, visit  rvnahealth.org/careers/.

 

About RVNAhealth

RVNAhealth is a private, nonprofit, Medicare-certified organization that provides exceptional home and community health care services, supports public health and safety, and has promoted the highest quality of life for over 100 years.

RVNAhealth’s services are categorized into four WELLs —including BeWELL: Services to Keep You Healthy; GetWELL: Services to Recover Your Best Health; StayWELL: Services to Remain Safely in Your Home; and ComfortWELL; Hospice Care to Provide Comfort and Peace. The WELLs represent our continuum of care that serves individuals across a lifetime. Services include wellness and prevention, home health, hospice, rehabilitation, community health, and skilled nursing, among others. 

During RVNAhealth’s century of care, our name, services, and reach have evolved to meet the care and wellness needs of all those we serve, yet our focus on excellent care, quality and safety, and our guiding philosophy have remained steadfast – the individuals and patients we care for come first.


RVNAhealth to Host Caregiver Job Fair

In response to the growing demand for non-medical companion care and assistance, RVNAhealth StayWELL Services will be hosting a Caregiver Job Fair on Saturday, September 25th from 10:00am-2:00pm, outside the Danbury Public Library, 170 Main St, Danbury, CT.Continue reading

RVNAhealth Employee Appreciation Day 2021

It was Employee Appreciation Day at RVNAhealth on Friday March 5, 2021 and all team members were invited to the Ridgefield and New Milford offices for lunch at a midday food truck featuring all-time favorites, pizza and grilled cheese. Continue reading

Eighth Time a Charm …

For the 8th time since 2011, RVNAhealth has earned a Top Workplaces award from Hearst Connecticut Media. This recognition is awarded based on the results of employee surveys which measure such areas as leadership, compensation and training, and diversity. Continue reading

Elizabeth DeMassa Earns Marguerite Regan Nursing Award

RVNAhealth regan scholarship, theresa santoro, elizabeth demassa, mj heller

From left, Theresa Santoro, RVNAhealth President & CEO; Scholarship recipient, Elizabeth DeMassa;  MJ Heller, RVNAhealth Director of Philanthropy

There’s a saying, “When you’re a nurse, you know that every day you will touch a life or a life will touch yours.” That’s exactly what Elizabeth DeMassa is looking for as she heads to Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA this fall.  DeMassa is entering the school’s nursing program having been awarded the Marguerite Regan Nursing Award by RVNAhealth last spring.

The award is a longtime, four-year partial scholarship, granted each year to a Ridgefield High School senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing. From RVNAhealth’s Board of Directors, a “scholarship task force” reviews anonymous submissions to select a recipient.

DeMassa, a graduate of Ridgefield High School’s class of 2019,
selected nursing because she wants to work in a field where she can help
others. Indeed, helping others seems to run in the DeMassa family. Her
father, Douglas, is a chiropractor (and creator of Neuron-Do, which
helps individuals develop motor and cognitive skills through martial
arts), and her mother, Heather, is a nurse at Stamford Health.

On the extracurricular front, DeMassa was captain of the Ridgefield
High School girls’ cross-country team last school year and a track and
field standout. Meaning Moravian will benefit not only by her generous
nature, but also her considerable athleticism.