RVNA’s  Maria Chann keeps many balls in the air at work. As a “paraprofessional coordinator,” she handles everything from scheduling, to payroll, and more. Even though she’s not in a clinical role herself, Maria’s favorite aspect of the job is connecting with patients. Like many of her colleagues, Maria enjoys helping others. Her smile and can-do attitude are a part of everything she does.

Where did you grow up and where do you reside now?
I lived in Puerto Rico until I was 6 years old when my family moved to Danbury. I still live there now.

What is your role at RVNA?
I’m a paraprofessional coordinator in charge of the CNAs (certified nursing assistants). I handle their scheduling and payroll, and take part in interviewing CNA candidates. I also do the home health scheduling for nurses, physical therapists and occupational therapists.

How long have you been at RVNA?
5 years

What brought you to RVNAhealth at first?
I used to work at a health center in Danbury where I was in charge of 30 medical assistants and 10 schedulers. A doctor I knew there who was from Ridgefield told me about RVNA. I never would have thought to apply, but he said he knew I could do the job.

What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of the job is speaking with the patients. They all have something to say. Some of them don’t have many people to talk to, so I learn a lot about their lives.  I like that. In addition, I love working with the staff here. Everyone is really nice and we all work together well.

Have you ever considered another profession?
At one point I considered being a nurse, but I think coordination is really my thing. Every day is something different. I love what I do.

What do you love to do when you’re not working?
Spend time with my two sons. I have an 18-year-old who is going to West Conn in the fall, and a 12-year-old.

What is your hidden talent?
I don’t think I have one. (Editor’s note: Maybe juggling?)

What would you do if you won the lottery?
I think about that a lot…. I would buy my mom and myself a house so we could create a family community. (Maria still has a large extended family in Puerto Rico.)

Do you have a favorite RVNAhealth moment or story?
Once an aide went to see a patient in Ridgefield. When she got there, she realized that the patient had no food in the house. She’d been eating ice cream and that was it. The aide came back to RVNAhealth and got some food from our food pantry so she could prepare something for her patient to eat. The patient’s family wasn’t even aware, so we called them. Hearing them say how thankful they were was awesome. Communication is one of the most important things we do here.

RVNA’s Crystal Madyda, PT, was not named idly. Brilliant and strong, clear and reflective, Crystal is a true gift to those who know her, those who work with her, and, of course, those patients she treats.

Meet Crystal Madyda.

Where did you grow up and where do you live now?
I was born and raised in Danbury, CT. After attending college in MA, I found myself back in Danbury and that is where I now live with my husband and son.

What is your role at RVNA?
I am an in-home physical therapist.

How long have you been at RVNA?
I have been lucky to work for the RVNA for almost 5 years. December 2018 is my 5 year anniversary.

When did you decide you wanted to become a physical therapist?
I think when I look back, the first time I was really interested in becoming a physical therapist was when I was about 10 years old. My mother had undergone extensive back surgery and I occasionally would go with her to physical therapy sessions. I was amazed that with the therapist’s help she was able to go from barely being able to walk to being my active, involved mother again, playing soccer and throwing the ball with my brother and I like she used to. It was further engrained in me when I attended physical therapy for a sports injury when I was in high school. I loved how therapists could have a hands-on role in helping people get back to better health and wellness. Plus, they made therapy fun!

What is your favorite part of your job?
There are so many things I love about being a physical therapist. Mostly, I truly love getting to know my patients and helping them regain some sense of self and achieve more independence in their daily lives. Being in their homes makes our jobs much more intimate and hands-on and in many cases, more impactful.

If you weren’t a PT, what would you be?
I actually can’t imagine NOT being a PT. Since I love animals, maybe I could see myself being a veterinarian if I wasn’t a physical therapist.

What do you love to do when you’re not working?
When I’m not working, I love spending time with my friends and family. My son is such a little entertainer and makes me laugh every day. You know what they say….laughter is the best medicine!!!

What is your hidden talent?
I’d say one of my hidden talents is I am a really good cook and baker. I read cook books like novels!

What would you do if you won the lottery?
If I won the lottery, I’d make sure that I could take care of all my family’s financial needs, I’d donate… and I’d travel…travel…travel!

Do you have a favorite RVNAhealth story?
One of my favorite RVNAhealth therapy stories involves a patient and her faithful dog. I was helping my patient recover from a spinal fracture as a result of cancer. I was performing some manual therapy techniques on her spine and pelvis while she laid in bed. Her dog had never once jumped up on her bed since she got the hospital bed a couple of months earlier. Her little dog was sweet and very protective and always by my patient’s side.

This day, her dog jumped up on the bed, snuggled in close to me, and rested her head on my arm, all the while I continued to gently work on her owner. What a testament to love, trust and healing.

Sunny days filled with outdoor activities are the highlight of summer. While most people understand the importance of protecting their skin from the harmful rays of the sun, that’s not always the case when it comes to protecting their eyes. Just as sunscreen should be a part of your daily routine, sunglasses and hats should be part of your daily wardrobe.

Sunglasses don’t have to be expensive, but they do  need to meet certain criteria to protect your eyes. Wear sunglasses labeled “100% UV Protection” or “UV400,” meaning they block both UV-A and UV-B rays. Pay attention to the fit, too, and avoid styles that leave a large gap at the sides or on top. Oversized or wraparound sunglasses are best. As an added measure, consider polarized lenses, which reduce the intensity of the sun’s reflection off surfaces such as water and light sand. Look for these same features in swim goggles.

One caveat — beware of souvenir shop or “novelty” sunglasses, particularly when it comes to children’s choices. While they may have dark lenses and look real, they can do more harm than good if they  don’t provide the proper UV protection. Wearing dark lenses causes pupils to dilate which increases UV exposure to the eyes.

Finally, both adults and children should take these measures. The World Health Organization estimates that as much as 80 percent of a person’s lifetime UV ray exposure happens prior to age 18. The sun protection we offer ourselves and our children today will directly affect our  eye health tomorrow.

Happy summer!

While he’s not a nurse himself, Sebastian Aldana seems to share many of the key qualities of the profession: enjoys helping others, likes to solve problems + make things better, and has what seems to be rather infinite patience.  (We’ve certainly done our best to test it!)

Meet our RVNAhealth IT Support Specialist, Sebastian Aldana.

Where did you grow up and where do you reside now?
I grew up in Stamford, CT and then moved to Norwalk, CT when I was 14 and have lived there since.

What is your role at RVNA?
I am the IT Support Specialist at RVNA.

How long have you been at RVNA?
I started at RVNAhealth as a temp back in November of 2016 and was officially hired full time with RVNAhealth in April 2017.

What brought you to RVNAhealth at first?  
I was offered a temp role at RVNAhealth by the recruiting company I was working for.

What is your favorite part of your job?
My favorite part of my job is helping my fellow co-workers with their computer and any other technical issues.  I truly enjoy helping others and I am especially satisfied when I can help make someone’s day better because I fixed their issues.

Have you ever considered becoming a nurse?
I’ve never considered becoming a nurse myself, but I have a newfound appreciation for nurses ever since I started working at RVNA.

What do you love to do when you’re not working?
When I’m not working I enjoy spending time with my family, my dog, and friends. I also enjoy playing sports and doing other activities like hiking, kayaking, and going to the gym.

What is your hidden talent?
I have no hidden talent I can think of. LOL.

What would you do if you won the lottery?
If I won the lottery I would definitely travel all over the world, meet new people and places, discover new cultures and food.  Also, I would buy my parents a new home in Ecuador so they could retire.

Do you have a favorite RVNAhealth moment or story?
My favorite moment at RVNAhealth was when I was officially introduced as a member of the RVNAhealth family at one of the Agency meetings and I received a standing ovation from everyone that attended. It was definitely very humbling.

We all know the frustration of calling a company for help, only to be transferred from person to person to person. Or worse, never reaching a live body at all.  At RVNA, that’s not OK.

“Our goal is to give our customers the help and guidance they need — right from the first phone call, or as soon as they walk in the door,” says Melissa Woodhouse, RRT, MOT, OTR/L, CDP, manager of RVNA’s centralized Care Coordination Department.  Woodhouse’s team fields calls from potential patients and family members, doctors, hospitals, and assisted living or rehab facilities, always with the same end goal:  helping patients get the services they need.

“Often, when people contact us or come to us,” says Woodhouse, “they don’t really know what they need. Health care services and terminology can be very confusing. Our job is to listen to their concerns, gather the clinical information we need, and talk over what we can do to help.”

The Care Coordination Department represents all of RVNA’s services – in-home nursing and therapy services, onsite physical therapy and rehabilitation (Rehab by RVNA), and non-medical home care (HomeCare by RVNA) – so customers don’t have to make multiple phone calls to get what they need.

“It’s not unusual for patients to come to us needing several RVNAhealth services,” Woodhouse explains. “We’re able to line up just the right services to address their concerns.” RVNAhealth care coordinators are also able to help people navigate the often-complicated requirements of insurance coverage, a much-appreciated service.

RVNA’s Care Coordination team currently has six members: manager Melissa Woodhouse, RRT, MOT, OTR/L, CDP; Randie Cooper, Kendall Krafick, and Courtney Mead, who work the phones; and receptionists Norma Losito and Nancy Verses, who take the time to ensure that all RVNAhealth callers and walk-ins get to the right place.

Among the six of them, the team has a breadth of experience that encompasses home health, rehabilitation services, home care, administrative services, and even work in a skilled nursing facility. This collective expertise and insight makes them especially qualified for their roles.

Woodhouse, a former EMT, and respiratory and occupational therapist (OT), started at RVNAhealth in 2014 as an in-home OT before being promoted to a Rehab Manager. When the Care Coordination role came up, she saw it as a great opportunity to help people on multiple levels. “I loved the idea of getting people the care they need while also assuring they have the best possible experience with RVNA,” she says. Both Krafick and Mead worked as CNAs (certified nursing assistants) before joining RVNA, and Cooper started in Homecare by RVNA. Losito and Verses have been at RVNAhealth for 6 and 4 years respectively, and bring a wealth of administrative experience to their roles.

Though the mission of the Care Coordination team is no small task, Woodhouse sums it up simply. “When you know you’ve helped someone and gotten them the services they need, there’s nothing more gratifying.”

Clinical depression in the elderly is common, but that does not mean it’s something to be ignored.  It’s estimated that 7 million Americans 65 and older suffer from some form of depression, but only 10% of them receive treatment.

Depression in the elderly differs from that in younger adults because it often occurs along with other medical illnesses and lasts longer. Depression doubles the risk of cardiac disease in the elderly and increases their risk of death from illness.  It also reduces an elderly person’s ability to rehabilitate.

Research indicates that brain chemistry, genetic make-up and stress all can contribute to depression. Factors that increase the risk of depression in the elderly include being female, unmarried, divorced or widowed; lack of a supportive social network; and stressful life events such as losing a loved one, a relocation, or retirement. Physical conditions like stroke, diabetes, cancer and chronic pain further increase the risk.

Symptoms of depression are similar at any age: ongoing feelings of sadness or helplessness, excessive sleeping or insomnia, loss of interest in once pleasurable activities, social withdrawal, aches and pains, lack of concentration or poor memory and thoughts of death and suicide. The suicide rate for people age 80-84 is twice that of the general population. Many times the symptoms of depression in older adults are overlooked and considered a normal part of aging, and no treatment is sought. However, there are options available including antidepressant medication, psychotherapy and in severe cases, electroconvulsive therapy that can greatly improve the condition. Other simple steps to reduce late-life depression include trying to prepare for major life changes as much as possible, engaging in regular social contact with family and friends and adopting a healthy diet and exercise schedule.

Depression should not be suffered through. Seeking treatment for depression, starting with a primary care physician, can greatly improve one’s quality of life, even in later years.

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.