My Time Here at Northwell Health 

Written by: Simon G

When I arrived in the United States from Ireland I was jetlagged and nervous but excited to start my position at Northwell Health. From my first day, everyone was so helpful in getting me settled and comfortable in not only a new work environment, but also a new country as well. My position was to take part in various HR projects throughout the Summer.

My first day began like all other hires, with me attending Beginnings. It was such an eye opening experience as it showed me the scale of the company I was now part of. The fact that everyone from newly hired nurses, to newly hired janitors, showed me that everyone in this company was valued and everyone had a role to play in keeping the company on top. It was amazing to get to see the CEO of Northwell, Michael Dowling, speak at the event as it is rare to see a CEO welcome new hires every Monday. For the rest of the week I was introduced to everyone that I would be working with and shown what I would be doing. My main role consisted of helping the Human Resources team with creating files for new hires, learning the correct ways to source for recruitment purposes, and conducting internet researches on various HR processes for projects. Since I was part of a cultural exchange program that focuses on learning the entirety and culture of an organization, I was also able to attend multiple Northwell events.

Some of the events I was able to attend were Beginnings, which was every Monday where I got to help answer any questions anyone might have as well as promote the new Northwell app. I also had the opportunity to visit Northwell Studios, where they edit film to create videos in order to show the strength and bravery of their patients, the professionalism and level of care that their staff provide. I saw a video being edited of a man who was in his sixties being interviewed after having a baseball-size tumour removed from his skull. However, within a few days after his operation, he was back to teaching Tai Kwon Do. It was truly astonishing that the surgeons had such a level of skill that allowed his recovery period to be so short. I joined a photographer in attending an employee barbecue who showed me how best to tackle photographing such an event. I also went along with a photographer to a fundraiser for the Feinstein Institute who, amongst other incredible things, are making outstanding advances in medicine in areas such as bioelectronics medicine. It showed me how Northwell was not only treating people with life changing illnesses today, but planning to cure these illnesses permanently so that in the future there would be no need for long term care.

I next visited CLI (Center for Learning and Innovation) where I watched trainee doctors and nurses being examined on their ability to discuss various topics with patients. I talked with some of the actors who play the patients, as well as those who keep track of the length of the encounters and keep the whole system running smoothly. I was really interested in seeing if I could take part in some way so they allowed me to be a standardized patient for a day. I had to go through a patient case, learn the information, and then act as that patient. I was given hospital garments and had to sit in an appointment room and wait for trainee doctors and nurses to come in and talk to me about what my illness was. My particular case was a “bad news” case, in which they had to tell me I had a very serious illness that could kill me. After every encounter, I had to discuss the students’ performance with a member of the faculty who was observing the encounter and grading the student. It was incredible to see how much emphasis they put on not only medical knowledge but also social skills that doctors and nurses require when talking to patients.

I had the honor of meeting a woman called Amy Smith (picture top left), who works as a nurse at Lenox Hill Greenwich Village. She had won the Northwell President’s Award for Exceptional Patient/Costumer Care, and her story was simply incredible. She is a sexual assault and violence (SAVI) advocate who made helping those who experienced such horrible things her life’s work. Her dedication, and her simply astounding will to help anyone who asks for it was inspirational. I attended the award ceremony (picture top right) where Amy and other people throughout this health system were being honored for their outstanding achievements. It showed me how this organization was a place where going the extra mile was awarded and encouraged. It was also a way of saying thanks to those in the company who are striving to make it one of the best places to receive healthcare. The rapturous applause each award winner received was evidence that these people were being supported by their friends and colleagues in being the best they could possibly be.

I was given the opportunity to go for a ride-along with the ambulatory services that we have. I was shown around the central command hub which houses all the data that the ambulatory drivers need in order to do their jobs efficiently. However, ambulances were not the only thing to benefit from the hub. The Sky Health helicopter also uses the information, which the hub provides. The scale of the network was enormous. I then went out on a call with a response vehicle and got to experience the life of a paramedic first hand. Their calm nature and professional approach made the process smooth and efficient for the patient, and showed me that the level or care that I had seen in multiple hospitals was being reflected out on the field.

And that, dear reader, is a quick summary of my brief experience here at Northwell Health. There are so many people who I have become great friends with and who have made my dream of one day living in America stronger, and my drive to achieve it even larger. As I return to Ireland I will bring all my experiences and newly learned skills with me. And as a last note, I would like to say thank you to everyone who made my experience so interesting and beneficial. Even if you only said “Hello” to me as I entered a building, that “Hello” made me feel so welcome and made my experience just that little bit better. Thanks again, and as we say in Irish, “Slán tamaill”, or in English, “Bye for a while”.