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6 HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | NOVEMBER 1, 2021 A nurse for 34 years, Lisa Kalafus provides leadership and direction for nursing staff and is responsible for planning, organizing and directing all nursing functions at Gaylord. She previously spent 31 years at St. Vincent's Medical Center, where she held a number of leadership roles, including director of nursing operations. Q: Why is she a HealthCare Hero? It is said that Kalafus "leads with the heart." Dedicated to providing nothing less than exceptional patient-centered care, she constantly exudes her commitment to Gaylord's mission. Kalafus truly enriches the experience of her nursing staff through professional growth and recognition opportunities. She makes herself accessible to staff on all shifts and incorporates their feedback into her decisions. She initiated nursing shared governance to allow her nurses a voice in their practice. Kalafus adopts new technologies as a means to improve the efficiency of workflows and enhance patient safety. Q: How has COVID-19 changed the way you do your job? I feel COVID enhanced my creativity and quick problem solving. I didn't always have the answers, but as a team we collaborated to ensure staff and patient safety. Today, facing significant nursing shortages, being innovative continues to be a critical component of my day-to-day job as chief nursing officer. L Remi Kyek supports Mental Health Connecticut (MHC) direct care staff and program participants in six regions and services statewide through a robust evidence-based, holistic curriculum. She holds a master's degree in marriage and family therapy and has worked for MHC for over 30 years. Q: Why is she a HealthCare Hero? Kyek has created the programs and infrastructure that has resulted in a long list of wins from the past 18 months, such as creating the structure and support that helped MHC achieve the highest level certification for Mental Health America's Bell Seal for Workplace Mental Health; implementing prevention and intervention measures to address acute emotional distress for a direct care staff of nearly 200; working with operations and HR to keep turnover low and provide zero lapse in service during 2020 as MHC shifted from 90% in-person to 75% virtual delivery; and supporting a team of 15 on the organization's newly created Equity, Social Justice & Antiracism Advisory Committee. Q: How has COVID-19 changed the way you do your job? I work with amazing individuals who are essential to the lives of so many. Seeing my work meet the real-time needs of our staff reinforces the importance of workplace wellness. It is incumbent upon us to continue to create more ways to help them recharge and re-engage with their work. We support them so they can support others. Lisa Kalafus Employer: Gaylord Specialty Healthcare Title: Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer Remi Kyek Employer: Mental Health Connecticut // Title: Chief Experience Officer Winner Category: Nurse Winner Category: Mental Healthcare Provider HEALTHCARE HEROES AWARDS 2021 C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S ! CONGRATULATIONS to Remi Kyek, Mental Health Connecticut's Chief Experience Officer, on being recognized as a 2021 Connecticut Health Care Hero! MHC is proud to see Remi honored alongside other outstanding individuals from across our great state. We extend our gratitude to all nominees and award winners for rising to the challenge! mhconn.org