Telehealth Innovator Award recipients were honored at the Annual North Country Telehealth Conference, hosted by the North Country Telehealth Partnership on September 23, 2020. The award is given to individuals and organizations that have implemented an innovative program or application of telehealth leading to improved health outcomes and quality-of-life in the communities they serve. This year, special consideration was extended to individuals and organizations that have successfully and creatively implemented telehealth practices during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
This year’s awardees include:
- Planned Parenthood of Greater New York Telehealth Team, 2020 Telehealth Primary Care Innovators
An excerpt from their nomination read: “Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, PPGNY has worked tirelessly to ensure our patients and communities can still rely on us for care, and our providers have found innovative ways to make our services more accessible, patient-centered, and sustainable, all while keeping patients and themselves safe.” - Darcy Fournier and Tiffany King, The University of Vermont Health Network – Alice Hyde Medical Center, 2020 Telehealth Hospital Innovators
An excerpt from their nomination read: “During this implementation, a special segment of our patient population was identified as being special needs. Some of our more rural residents did not have adequate internet service to connect with their provider. Another significant segment of our patients did not own a device. Tiffany and Darcy created a curbside service, whereby these patients can receive the same video service, with our devices, on our campus.” - Neha Golwala, Adirondack Physical Therapy and Fitness, 2020 Telehealth Specialty Care Innovator
An excerpt from her nomination read: “The key to her therapeutic approach with me was communication. She called several times to be sure I had a device and that I knew how to use the Zoom app. She sent me an email indicating what I would need for her sessions. And most of all, I received phone calls and emails constantly asking how I was doing on days I wasn’t scheduled. I felt a bond with her during this time period, and she made me feel important.” - Brett Nelson and Frederick Jones, Four Winds Hospitals, 2020 Telehealth Mental Health Innovators
An excerpt from Dr. Nelson’s nomination read: “What would typically take months or years, took four days because Dr. Nelson had done all of the research and much of the prep work, and was solution-seeking from the start. It was Dr. Nelson’s vision and leadership that was the driving force. Between March 23rd and June 30th, Dr. Nelson and his colleagues held 2,478 telepsychiatry appointments, serving 893 children and adolescents.” - An excerpt from Mr. Jones’ nomination read: “Within days of the program closing its physical doors, Mr. Jones reimagined the partial hospital and intensive outpatient programs and led his team of prescribers, therapists, and nurses to open a virtual group therapy program using the doxy.me online platform. This required an enormous amount of restructuring, rescheduling, faith in the power of telehealth, and a steadfast belief in his team of professionals.”
- Sheena Smith, St. Lawrence County Community Services, 2020 Telehealth Mental Health Innovator
An excerpt from her nomination read: “Sheena devoted much of her time before the COVID pandemic began to getting us on track for utilizing telehealth simply because the technology would allow for us to help more people who were unable to find the time to attend sessions in the office. This proved to be a wise choice when the pandemic hit as we were already familiar with utilizing this technology. Our clients have responded very well. Our success in utilizing this technology has also driven us to begin using telehealth in our mental health clinics. Sheena is always looking for more ways to help our current and potential clients.”
In addition to the awardees, the North Country Telehealth Partnership recognized the following individuals who received honorable mentions:
- Dragos Banu, The University of Vermont Health Network – Alice Hyde Medical Center
- John Bennett, CDPHP
- Kimberly Coolidge, The University of Vermont Health Network – Elizabethtown Community Hospital
- Christopher Del Vecchio, MVP Health Care
- Steve Koop-Angelicola, Essex County Health Department, Home Health Unit
- Traci Ploufe, Mental Health Association of Essex County
- Linda Spokane, Hudson Headwaters Health Network
The North Country Telehealth Partnership is a collaborative initiative of Adirondack Health Institute and Fort Drum Regional Health Planning Organization. The partnership is focused on increasing access to health care through the innovative use of telehealth and telemedicine technology. The partnership covers an 11-county region of northern New York with a goal of growing telehealth adoption, implementation, and utilization.
