YNHH announces seventh class of Yale New Haven Heroes

What is your description of a hero?

At Yale New Haven Hospital, a hero is an employee, physician or volunteer who deeply embodies the health system’s values and goes above and beyond to exemplify the Standards of Professional Behavior every day in their interactions with patients, clients, colleagues and visitors.

Introduced in 2006, the YNHH Heroes program recognizes these individuals, who were nominated by their peers.

“Our Heroes program is a tribute to exemplary employees who embrace and live the Yale New Haven values in their everyday work,” said Richard D’Aquila, YNHH president. “Their stories serve as reminders that excellent service should always be the goal, and encourage us to think about how we can enhance the patient experience for each and every patient we serve.”

After reviewing more than 120 nominations from employees, the hospital’s Heroes Nominating Committee has chosen 16 of the hospital’s finest to be members of the seventh class of Heroes: 

• Camille Brown, MD, attending physician, Pediatric Primary Care Center
• Helen Chen, constant companion, Nursing Resource Pool
• Douglas DeGray, environmental services aide, Environmental Services
• Nancy Edgington, clinical social worker, Social Work Transplant Services
• Susan Falbo-MacConnie, RN, nurse, Surgery (SLA 2)
• Christina Giannelli, senior manager, Financial Planning, Finance
• Annette Green, information associate, Emergency Department
• Danielle Huseman, RN, manager, Office of Nursing Excellence
• Tylisa Johnson, clinical facilitator, Heart and Vascular Center
• Ellen Liskov, clinical dietitian, Food and Nutrition Services
• Dathan MacDonald, RN, nurse, Daily Operations Pool
• Chazz McCarter, patient transport associate, Patient Transport
• Elizabeth Panza, volunteer, Volunteer Services
• Argenis Rodriguez, patient care associate, Surgical Intensive Care Unit
• William Vaught, cook, Food and Nutrition Services
• Ebony Wright, RN, assistant patient service manager, Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital

“During the challenging process of selecting this year’s Heroes, it was evident that there are many throughout the hospital that fit the description of hero – employees who are respected and admired for their exemplary work standards and high levels of performance,” said Susan Haufe, YNHHS chief experience officer. “Our organization is very fortunate to have so many employees of this caliber.”  

The new class of YNHH Heroes will be honored at a reception in October and their portraits will hang in several locations throughout the hospital and at offsite locations..