Press Releases

45 Social Workers Honored for Their Commitment to Their Patients

Social workers are an integral part of NYC Health + Hospitals; there are more 1,000 social workers employed throughout the health system

Mar 28, 2025

NYC Health + Hospitals today announced 45 social workers from across health system who were honored for their commitment and dedication to their patients. There are more 1,000 social workers employed at the health system performing a variety of roles, including managers, therapists, researchers, discharge planners, and policymakers. In these positions they work closely with family caregivers, friends, neighbors and community-based agencies to help patients resume their life within the community. This year over 500 nominations were submitted from across the system, and the 45 honorees were selected from this pool by their facility’s individual social work recognition committee. The honorees were recognized for their dedication to their patients and their passion for the mission of NYC Health + Hospitals.

In 2024, NYC Health + Hospitals launched a social worker recruitment campaign that resulted in almost 300 new social workers being hired in one year, lowering the social work vacancy rate to 8%. Additionally, in May 2024, the health system launched the Social Work Training Academy to standardize training across the social work discipline at NYC Health + Hospitals for the more than 1,000 social workers, strengthening practice and patient outcomes. The Social Work Training Academy streamlines clinical internship placement and orientation offerings for behavioral health; offers evidence-based practice training program for established system social workers; provides ongoing continuing education; and supports social workers in earning their licensure and moving into leadership roles.

“We are deeply appreciative of our social workers, who are exceptionally dedicated to clinical care and ensuring the continuity of treatment for our patients through ongoing engagement, facilitating access to appropriate health care and social services, and supporting their recovery,” said Omar Fattal, MD, MPH, Deputy Chief Medical Officer and System Chief of Behavioral Health. “Thank you to all the social workers for their tireless commitment to better serving New Yorkers in need and congratulations to all the award winners.”

“Our social workers are motivated by mission-driven work and provide unparalleled professionalism and patient-centered care that impacts communities across the city,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Director of Social Work Kara Simpson, LCSW-R. “I could not be more honored to celebrate them.” 

The 2025 social work honorees include:

Hospitals

• Meridith Preuss and Amanda Raiola
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue

• Talia Mosley and Christina Johnsrud
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst

• Nutcha Pongsuea and Farhana Hasnat
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem

• Emily Jolly and Keshana Coleman
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi

• Shenelle Laborde and Pauline Bacchus
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Kings County

• Wanda Ellis and Sylvia Estrella
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln

• Melissa Couvillion and Natasha Persaud
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan

• Daphne Jean and Alexis Goodwin
  NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx

• Michelle Scantlebury and Barbaralynn Moseman
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens

• Michael Madormo and Marqueza Mitchell
  NYC Health + Hospitals/South Brooklyn Health

• Alyssa Torres and Oluwaseun Ojeikere
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull

Post-Acute Care

• Merary Guzman and Ada Diallo-Bolly
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Carter

• Janelle Hartman and Anayah Lillard
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler

• Jan Yuen
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Gouverneur

• Bibi Saffee-Razak
  NYC Health + Hospitals/McKinney

• Brianna Postelnek
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Sea View

Gotham Health

• Greer Comanducci and Craig Crabtree
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham, Cumberland

• Melissa Boykin and Antoinette Smart
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham, East New York

• Jennifer Press and Trezmalay Olu-Williams
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham, Gouverneur

• Stefanie Bajgier and Ingrid Mitchell
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham, Morrisania

• Denise Lucero
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham, Roosevelt

• Jahashia Morrison
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham, Tremont

Community Care

• Michelle Hussey
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Community Care

Correctional Health Services

• Christine Decker and Theresa Amendola
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Correctional Health Services

Metroplus Health

• Georgette Jones and Meghan Felice
  NYC Health + Hospitals/Metroplus Health

Central Office Programs

• Shun Ramnauth
  NYC Health + Hospitals Central Office

###

MEDIA CONTACT: Press Office

#053-25 

About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.