Caring for the Community Beyond These Walls

Nurse Practitioner Speaks About Giving Back

It’s been nearly 30 years since Jacqueline Riley, NP-C came to SUNY Plattsburgh from Long Island, New York for nursing school. In that time, she has become very familiar with the community that she cares for on a daily basis.

“We’re a pretty tight knit community here,” Jacqueline, a Senior Nurse Practitioner at The University of Vermont Health Network-Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital’s (CVPH) Skilled Nursing Facility and Adult Mental Health unit, recalled. “We all are friends or neighbors. We pretty much know each other in some way, shape or form. I’ve taken care of many people’s grandparents over the years and so they recognize me out in the community.”

That closeness and familiarity are what fuels Jacqueline’s passion for giving back.

“It’s just really important. We are one community, we should help each other and be giving when we can. Plus, it’s just a good feeling to be able to help others in need when we can,” she said.

Besides feeling good about giving back, Jacqueline points out the many ways donations to The Foundation of CVPH make a difference in the lives of her patients. She recalled one instance where The Foundation helped pay for a ramp to be installed at one patient’s home, which allowed her to get out of the hospital and stay in her own place. The Foundation also helps cover the costs of things like walkers, wheelchairs and medications that insurance does not cover (visit The Foundation’s website to learn more about the many ways it touches the lives of patients and employees).

And Jacqueline also noted that it does not take a lot to have a big impact on the lives of patients and their families. She said employees who donate $1 a paycheck make a significant difference. And she feels a sense of pride knowing that hundreds of her colleagues are showing how much they care about the community, not just through their work, but with their generosity.

“I think it speaks measures about the people that are here at CVPH,” Jacqueline offered. “We’re able to reach out further than just taking care of our patients within these walls. And it’s fantastic that so many people are able to do that.”

Employees can join the cause by donating online, filling out an I Give pledge card and turning it into The Foundation office at 75 Beekman Street in Plattsburgh, dropping the pledge card in interoffice mail to The Foundation of CVPH or scanning the filled out card and emailing it to kkalman@cvph.org. There are also a variety of ways that members of the public can give. Click here to learn more.