NYC Health + Hospitals celebrates 43 exceptional social workers for dedication to patient care

NYC Health + Hospitals recognized 43 outstanding social workers from across its expansive health system for their unwavering commitment to patient well-being.

These dedicated individuals represent a force of over 1,000 social workers employed throughout the system, playing vital roles as managers, therapists, researchers, discharge planners, and policymakers.

The honorees were selected from a pool of over 400 nominations, each submitted by colleagues and chosen by their facility’s social work recognition committees. Their recognition underscores the critical role social workers play in helping patients navigate complex challenges beyond medical needs, including housing instability, family crises, and substance abuse.

Dr. Mitchell Katz, President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, highlighted the indispensable role of social workers, emphasizing that their contributions go beyond medical care to address the multifaceted needs of patients. “Our communities need social workers in so many ways that medicine alone can’t fix. We couldn’t do what we do without our social workers,” remarked Dr. Katz.

Dr. Omar Fattal, Deputy Chief Medical Officer and System Chief of Behavioral Health, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the profound impact of social work on patient care.

“As a psychiatrist, I have firsthand experience of the power of social work. Thank you to all the social workers working tirelessly in our system every day,” said Dr. Fattal.

Social work is recognized as one of the fastest-growing professions in the United States, with nearly 720,000 professionals nationwide. The number of social workers is expected to exceed 800,000 by 2030, underscoring the increasing demand for their expertise.

The 2024 honorees represent various hospitals and facilities within NYC Health + Hospitals:

Hospitals:

NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue: Adina Safdeye, Casey Linder
NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst: Jennifer Gurtman, Mae Siegel
NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem: Megan Wall, Romona Jennings
NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi: Daniel Griffin, Victoria Lopez
NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County: Andrea Zvonkovic, Ebone Cruel
NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln: Daniella Jacobs, Lissette Vasquez-Restituyo
NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan: Lujuanda Rush, Tiffany Slotkin
NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx: Donna Delgado, Lisa Hamlett
NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens: Dolly Thomas, Shiza Iqbal
NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health: Georgia Tsamasiros, Jolene Lespes
NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull: Mindel Boduch, Rachel Lipman
Post-Acute Care:
NYC Health + Hospitals/Carter: Merary Guzman, Stephanie Kloskowski
NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler: Janelle Hartman, Theodore Morrison
NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur: Freda Morales
NYC Health + Hospitals/McKinney: Bibi Saffee-Razak
NYC Health + Hospitals/Sea View: Deirdre Figueroa
Gotham Health:
NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham, Belvis: Hazel Ordanez, Nancy Hernandez
NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham, Cumberland: Morella Bynoe
NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham, East New York: Evette Vazquez, Nakima Edwards
NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham, Gouverneur: Shanda Oliver, Shun Ru Xiao
NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham, Morrisania: Aisse Magassa
NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham, Roosevelt: Denise Lucero
NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham, Sydenham: Lynnsue Jolley
Kara Simpson, LCSW-R, Director of Social Work at NYC Health + Hospitals, expressed her deep admiration for the honorees, stating, “Every day, in hundreds of ways large and small, our social workers are all making changes in people’s lives that give them help, hope, opportunity.”

This annual recognition event not only celebrates the exceptional achievements of these social workers but also underscores the profound impact they have on patient outcomes and community well-being.