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HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | OCTOBER 30, 2023 B9 HEALTHCARE HEROES WINNER CATEGORY Mental Healthcare Provider Elisabeth T. Schneider Bridgeport Hospital NICU Mental Health Provider and Coordi- nator of NICU Developmental Follow Up Program Elisabeth Schneider is the NICU mental health provider at Yale New Haven Health: Bridgeport. She is also the coordinator of the Developmental Follow-Up Program. As a licensed marriage and family therapist, her role is to provide support to families in the perinatal period, particularly those going through a NICU stay. What have been your significant contribu- tions to your organization in the past year? Our NICU serves families with premature and medically fragile infants. I have been privileged to come alongside these fami- lies and support their emotional needs, speaking with them and offering support for the emotional impact of their infants' NICU stay, while also connecting them with resources that can help in the future. We recently started a screening program so that NICU moms who are here for 14 days or more are informed about, and assessed for, postpartum depression and anxiety. Our goal is that every family has access to the best possible resources for their emotional health so that they can thrive. Tell us about a challenge in your job that you were able to overcome. A family with multiples went home to an apartment with no elevator and numerous flights of stairs. It was difficult for mom to get her babies to appointments. I visited mom prior and brought items needed to assess her childrens' develop- ment, enabling us to make referrals and access resources for them. What's your next major goal and/or challenge? My goal is to expand our NICU mental health screening to include all NICU fami- lies, not just those with a longer stay. All NICU families are at higher risk of postpartum depression and anxiety, and should be both informed and screened. WINNER CATEGORY Mental Healthcare Provider Kalee Latham The Institute of Living Clinician Adult Outpatient Clinic Kalee Latham is a clinician at the Institute of Living's adult outpatient clinic, where she sees patients for individual and group therapy, with a focus on the young adult population. She has been in the Hartford HealthCare organization since 2016, advancing from a mental health worker to a clinician. What have been your significant contribu- tions to your organization in the past year? I have watched my patients progress over the last year from working with them to get out of bed to helping them prepare for job interviews months later, developing strong therapeutic relationships. I have been vigilant in suicide awareness both inside and outside of work, helping patients achieve safety, and supporting them through different levels of care. Outside of work, I was able, by chance, to help prevent a suicide attempt by a young girl who I found sitting on top of a bridge. I noticed her when out walking my dog, and was able to help her. Tell us about a challenge in your job that you were able to overcome. In my first year of being a clinician I had to learn how to have a healthy work-life balance. Sometimes it can be hard to leave work at work when your job entails working with human beings, but I have learned the importance of self-care outside of work. What's your next major goal and/or challenge? My next major goal is to get my full Licensed Professional Counselor licensure, which will allow me to see more patients. I also am looking forward to expanding group therapy options and enrollment in my department. Personal Side Favorite way to relax: Going to the beach Hobbies: Hiking with my dog Marley Favorite movie: "Happy Gilmore" Currently reading: "The Untethered Soul," by Michael Singer Proud to salute our healthcare heroes. Today and every day. Yale New Haven Health honors all the frontline heroes who put the care of their patients first, every day. We are delighted to salute the 2023 Healthcare Heroes being recognized by the Hartford Business Journal, including our own. Bridgeport Hospital Individual Nurse Award: Mary Christoffersen, DNP, RN Senior Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer Greenwich Hospital Individual Nurse Award: Laurence Rebich, RN Operating Room Nurse Lawrence + Memorial Hospital Advancement in Healthcare – Prevention Award: Jessica Mancarella, MSN, RN, CCRN-K Trauma Program Manager Yale New Haven Children's Hospital Individual Mental Healthcare Provider Award: Elisabeth Tullos Schneider, RN Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Coordinator, Bridgeport Campus Yale New Haven Hospital Advancement in Healthcare – Innovation Award: Amber Childs, PhD Clinical Psychology Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine