Employee Newsletter: Summer 2023 |
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President's Message
Hello everyone,
I hope your summer is off to a fantastic start. It's been a busy few weeks since I took the helm as TAF's new President and CEO. I continue to be grateful to Judith Fox for her dedication and support in ensuring a smooth transition. We have been extremely fortunate to have had Judith leading TAF for the past eight months. I also want to acknowledge each of you for your patience during this time of change and your unwavering commitment to TAF's mission. I'm truly excited about what this new chapter will bring. Below are some updates.
In June, the Operations and Project Management Teams launched our new grant-based disease programs. With the launch of this project, TAF is applying grant-based limits in a small number of disease programs where there is high variability in patient out-of-pocket costs, which will allow us to provide assistance to more patients who need our help. This was an all-hands-on-deck project and I am grateful to all involved for their efforts.
In the past few weeks, we've launched several new disease programs, including one for people living with sickle cell disease, bringing our total to 85. I'd like to thank Missy Jenkins, our Vice President of External Affairs, and Gerald Lauria, our Senior Vice President of Business Development and Strategy, for their many months of hard work to make this a reality.
I hope you'll join me in taking part in this year's TAF Health Fair later this month. For all the information about the great events Human Resources has put together for us, check out the HR Corner below.
Please enjoy some well-deserved rest on Juneteenth as well as July 3–4 for the Independence Day holiday. If you have any questions or concerns, my door is always open. I look forward to continuing our work together and appreciate the opportunity to lead this incredible organization.
Danielle Vizcaino
President and CEO
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Darryl Ross Motivates Team at 2023 All-Staff Event
Thank you to everyone for a successful, motivating all-staff event. And a huge shout out to Amanda Kessler and the Human Resources Department for organizing the event and bringing us together for the first time in several years!
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TAF Announces Winners of Second Annual Patient Art Contest
Thank you to our panel of staff who selected our five winners from the second annual Kaleidoscope of Life Art Contest. We received more than 150 submissions, more than twice as many as last year. Creating art is just one way TAF patients are living fulfilling lives.
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Andi C., Primary Immunodeficiency Financial Assistance Program |
Mallory H., Long-chain Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders Financial Assistance Program |
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Patricia C., Pulmonary Hypertension Copay Assistance Program |
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Dallas D., Multiple Sclerosis Copay Assistance Program |
Judith N., Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Lung Disease Financial Assistance Program |
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The Nonprofit Times Names TAF One of the 50 Best Nonprofits to Work For
In April, The Assistance Fund was once again named one of the Best Nonprofits to Work For by The Nonprofit Times. At TAF, we put people above all else. Thank you to everyone, and every department, who together make TAF such a fantastic place to come to work each day.
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TAF Opens New Disease Programs
This spring, TAF added four new disease programs in 2023, bringing our total to 85. TAF now offers financial assistance for people living with:
- Activated Phosphoinositide 3-kinase Delta Syndrome (APDS)
- Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy
- Rett Syndrome
- Sickle Cell Disease
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TAF Welcomes Seven New Members to Its Advocacy Committee
TAF's Advocacy Committee comprises patient advocates, policy experts, and public affairs professionals who share a commitment to ensuring patients have access to care, testing, and treatment. The Committee provides expert input to assist TAF’s executive management team in determining and advancing its strategic advocacy objectives. This year, the Committee welcomed seven new members:
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Mark Atalla, Former Advisor, CMS, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation at Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services |
Eboné M. Lockett, M.S., CEO, Harvesting Humanity, LLC |
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Srulik Dvorsky, Co-founder, CEO, TailorMed |
Sohail Rana, Pediatrician/Professor of Pediatrics and Child Health, Howard University Hospital |
Tia Goss Sawhney, Owner and Managing Director, Teus Health, LLC |
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Ann Jackson, Founder and Executive Director, Center for Food Equity in Medicine |
Thayer Roberts, Deputy Director, Partnership to Improve Patient Care |
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TAF Helps Mobilize All Copays Count Coalition To Protect Financially Vulnerable Patients
This spring, TAF worked with coalition partners in support of the Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act to protect financially vulnerable patients. The legislation, currently being considered by Congress, would require health insurers to count the value of copay assistance toward a patient’s out-of-pocket maximum. TAF mobilized over 620 TAF Advocates who reached out to their member of Congress, urging them to support the bill.
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Upcoming Disease Awareness Months |
June:
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia Awareness Month
- Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month
- Men's Health Week (June 12–20)
- Kidney Cancer Day - June 15
July:
- Graves' Disease Awareness Month
- Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month
- Parathyroid Awareness Month
- World Hepatitis Day - July 28
August:
- Psoriasis Awareness Month
September:
- Blood Cancer Awareness Month
- ITP Awareness Month
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month
- Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
- Primary Biliary Cholangitis Awareness Month
- Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month
- Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month
- Duchenne Awareness Day - September 7
- World PBC Day - September 11
- World aHUS Day - September 24
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Staff wore grey for Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month. |
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On The Road
Conference Attendance
The Assistance Fund will continue to attend a range of conferences in 2023. Here's where we're headed this year:
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Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) Annual Conference (June 29–July 2)
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US HAEA National Summit (July 20–22)
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National Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation Family Support and Medical Conference (July 20–22)
- Healthcare Advocate Summit (September 6–8)
- Global Genes Rare Health Equity Forum and Rare Advocacy Summit (September 18–21)
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Stephanie Marshall, Director of Patient Advocacy, and Mark Meier, Senior Manager of Communications, at the 2022 International Conference on Stigma at Howard University in Washington, DC. |
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Important Phone and Internet Browser Security Updates
Two important security updates were released this spring from Apple and Google. Importantly, Google identified a vulnerability allowing scams to bring a pop-up onto your screen. If you use Google Chrome, please be sure to update your browser right away.
Whenever security patches are issued, there is a high probability that the issues they address are already being actively exploited. Keeping your phone and work computer updated against the latest security threats is critically important. It is recommended to restart your browser at least once a day. By doing this, you ensure your browser checks for updates and auto-installs them as they become available.
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Purple Pro: Nicole Robinson, Resolution Specialist |
What is your favorite part about your job?
I love being able to assist patients one by one to resolve any issues.
What are some of the most common questions you receive?
The most common questions I receive are about reimbursement and what documentation is needed to be reimbursed.
What have you learned while working at TAF?
I've learned the importance of assisting every patient as if they were my own family member.
What three words best describe how to be successful at your job?
Knowledge, focus, and accountability.
How are you trying to improve patients’ experience?
I'm trying to improve the patients' experience by keeping our word to contact them and staying in communication with them until their issue is resolved.
Describe what it’s like to work at TAF.
It's a fun environment!
What is one fun fact about you?
I like to read.
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Which TAF value do you most identify with and why?
Passion. I love helping and assisting people in any way I can.
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Staff Promotions
Congratulations are in order! The following TAF team members were recently promoted. Thank you for your contributions to TAF!
- Aparna Ganesh – Senior Project Manager
- Barbara Colaricci – Patient Advocate I
- Kayleigh Wingard – Software Quality Testing Specialist
- Yavniel Padilla – Senior Web Developer and Scrum Master
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2023 TAF Health Fair
Our annual Health Fair is just around the corner! We've scheduled a wide range of events and activities to promote wellbeing. Spots are limited for some events so sign up today.
June 27
10 a.m. - Brown and Brown Benefit Educational Meeting (Sign Up Here)
June 28
11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Chair Massage, Meditation Class, and In-person Events (DC Office)
3 p.m. How to Budget, Save, and Get Out of Debt (Sign Up Here)
June 29
P3 Medical Screens and Vaccination, Chair Massage, and In-Person Events
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Volunteer Time Off Program
TAF’s Volunteer Time Off Program allows full-time, exempt employees to volunteer in their communities during work hours after six months of employment. Click here to learn more about the program.
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Upcoming Wellable Challenges
TAF uses the health and wellness platform Wellable to host year-round challenges. Wellable lets you have fun while staying active, improving health and wellbeing, and qualifying for prizes.
To participate, create a Wellable account by completing the form. You will receive a welcome email containing your credentials and instructions for connecting an app or device to your account to track your activity.
Be on the lookout for the next Wellable challenge:
May 24 – June 27: Hydrate for Health Challenge
July 5 – August 1: Vacation Exploration Challenge
August 8 – September 18: Purpose Challenge
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2023 Employee Benefits
The Employee Benefits Guide is now available on the TAF Intranet. We are now using Guardian for dental, vision, life, disability, and the Employee Assistance Program.
Contact Human Resources with questions.
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Compliance Update: Ethics and Compliance Best Practices
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Patient Profile: Marge, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Financial Assistance Program
Marge is fascinated by history. Every day after she has her coffee and breakfast, she breaks out her Kindle to read.
"My favorite is historical fiction," Marge said. "My dad was a war veteran, and I’m just fascinated by things that went on."
When she’s not reading, Marge spends as much time as possible with her family. Despite living hundreds of miles apart, Marge makes sure to FaceTime Tegan, her three-year-old granddaughter, and her daughter, Christine, several times a week. The two, Marge said, are the loves of her life.
"Tegan’s so comical," she said. "I just love her to pieces."
Being able to drive down to Virginia from Connecticut to see her daughter is important to Marge. She lives with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and needs treatment that doesn’t leave her with awful side effects.
"I have 10 or 12 medications," Marge said. "I need to have all of my faculties and senses to drive."
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When Marge’s doctor prescribed her treatment, she paid the copay out of pocket for a few months. But the cost was enormous. Marge said she worried about affording electricity and food.
"Who knows what I was going to try to do, but I was going to try to make it work," Marge said. "I need this medicine."
Marge was referred to The Assistance Fund’s (TAF’s) Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Copay Assistance Program. The program provides financial assistance for out-of-pocket costs for all FDA-approved treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance.
"I am just so grateful," Marge said. "It really brought me peace of mind. I thought, 'this is going to be okay.'"
After a year of financial assistance, Marge was ready to apply for Reenrollment in the fall. Marge said she was grateful to be quickly notified that she would have assistance for an entire year, allowing her to focus on spending time with her family.
"Oh my God, these people are angels," she said. "Words cannot express my gratitude."
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Follow TAF on Social Media
TAF is on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram! Follow TAF today to see which conferences we are attending, get news and updates, and read inspirational messages from our patients.
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Healthy Recipe: Pan-seared Fish With Citrus Pesto
Makes: 4 servings
Time: 30 minutes
INGREDIENTS
Pesto
- ½ cup toasted pistachios or slivered almonds
- 2 teaspoons drained and rinsed capers
- Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
- 2 cups mint or basil leaves (or a combination)
- 1 tablespoon lemon, tangerine, or grapefruit zest plus 3 tablespoons juice
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
Fish
- 4 (6-ounce) fish fillets, such as arctic char, striped bass, or salmon, skin on or off
- Salt
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for greasing
PREPARATION
Pesto
- Add the pistachios, capers, and one teaspoon of salt to a food processor and process until coarsely chopped.
- Add the herbs, citrus juice, and a pinch of salt and pulse until the herbs are finely chopped and the nuts are about the size of sesame seeds.
- Add the olive oil and pulse just until combined.
- Stir in one teaspoon of citrus zest.
- Taste, then continue to add more zest and salt until the pesto is citrusy and punchy.
- Thin with 2 to 3 more tablespoons of olive oil until it’s the consistency of a loose paste.
- Taste, and adjust seasonings as needed. (To use the pesto on pasta, see tip.)
Fish
- Season it all over with salt and oil.
- Working in batches if necessary, add the fish (skin-side down, if your fillets are skin-on) to a large (12-inch) nonstick skillet, then heat over medium.
- Cook until the flesh is opaque ¾ of the way up the sides, 6 to 12 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. If the fish is buckling, press it down with a spatula so it makes contact with the skillet.
- Flip and cook until cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Transfer to plates, skin-side up if serving skin-on fish, and eat with a spoonful of pesto.
TIP
To make pesto pasta, skip the additional 2 to 3 tablespoons oil and toss the thick pesto with cooked pasta and a little pasta cooking water. Leftovers keep for up to 3 days.
(Source: The New York Times)
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Work Anniversaries: Spring and Summer 2023 |
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May 2
Alyssa O'Driscoll, Senior Director of Philanthropy - 1 year
Margaret Mattingly, Administrative Coordinator - 1 year
May 13
TaRay White, Senior Manager of Operations, Claims Management, and Patient Services - 10 years
May 16
Emily Friedman, Patient Advocate - 1 year
Melissa Oquendo, Patient Advocate - 1 year
Nicole Robinson, Resolution Specialist - 1 year
June 3
Dilip Parihar, Solutions Architect - 4 years
June 8
Yavniel Padilla, Senior Web Developer and Scrum Master - 3 years
June 14
Liza Weber, Learning and Development Manager - 2 years
June 16
Stephanie Cabral, Program Financial Accountant - 2 years
June 27
Daniel Nieves, Jr., Program Management Assistant - 7 years
Keshaun Smith, Claims/Reimbursement Specialist - 1 year
Shaukie Fenn, Patient Advocate - 1 year
July 6
Eric Flores, Patient Advocate - 3 years
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July 11
Barbara Colarrici, Patient Advocate I - 1 year
Merlin Aparicio, Patient Services Representative - 1 year
Shaniya Frederick, Patient Services Representative - 1 year
Valerie Mannino, Patient Services Representative - 1 year
July 12
Angela Stringer, Patient Services Representative - 2 years
Kayleigh Wingard, Software Quality Testing Specialist - 2 years
July 20
Stephanie Marshall, Director of Patient Advocacy - 3 years
July 30
Abigail Tirado, Claims/Reimbursement Specialist - 5 years
August 11
Akhilash Pennam, CRM Software Developer II - 4 years
August 16
Aparna Ganesh, Senior Project Manager - 2 years
Kelli Clarke, Resolutions Specialist - 2 years
Lorena Burke, Patient Advocate - 2 years
August 19
Angelica Feliz, Quality Specialist - 4 years
Kathyria Kotagiri, Team Lead, Contact Center - 4 years
August 24
Antonio Messina, Patient Advocate - 3 years
Jessica Belvilus, Claims/Reimbursement Specialist - 3 years
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June 18
Father's Day
June 19
Juneteenth
June 21
Summer Solstice
July 4
Independence Day
September 4
Labor Day
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Welcome to Our New Employees
- Justin Brock, Patient Advocate I
- Daisy Cobos, Patient Services Representative I
- Alexandria Davis, Patient Advocate I
- India Dent, Patient Advocate I
- Nalix Lopez, Patient Services Representative I
- Rosann Pagan, Patient Advocate I
- Roshni Roy, Communications Associate
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FOR ADVOCATES
Patient Stories
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WE'RE MOVING: Effective July 15, our new address is:
8427 Southpark Circle, Suite 100
Orlando, FL 32819
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Washington, DC, Office
655 15th St. NW Suite 502
Washington, DC 20005
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