STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Hope Iliceto, a registered nurse with more than three decades experience in home health care, has been named president and CEO of the Visiting Nurse Association of Staten Island.
Iliceto, 59, of Princess Bay, a lifelong Staten Islander and mother of two, holds both a bachelor of science and master of science degree in nursing from Wagner College.
She started her nursing career as a visiting nurse with VNASI in 1984. She did patient care and evaluations for several years and served as client services administrator before leaving VNA in 1992. She then went on to a career with multiple leadership roles in the home health care management industry. She served as vice president of home health and hospice for St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Centers of New York Home Health Care; as senior vice president and chief administrative officer for St. Mary’s Healthcare System for Children, as well as chief nursing officer for New York City Health and Hospital’s home care agency.
“I was proud to be asked to serve as the leader of VNASI, which has a committed board of trustees who feel very responsible and focused on providing home-care well into the future,” Iliceto said. “VNA is known as part of the fabric of Staten Island health care and my career has come full circle as a Staten Islander returning to service my own community,” she added.
“We are fortunate to have secured a seasoned health care professional for VNASI,” said VNASI board chairman Roy Danischewski.
“Hope’s long list of accomplishments in all aspects of post-acute care have been significant. One of her immediate accomplishments for VNA was improving our technology, especially in light of the COVID-19 situation,” Danischewski said.
Under Iliceto, VNASI has begun using tele-health services for their clients. By utilizing the latest technologies, the agency established the technical capability to conduct virtual calls with clients as well as virtual visits through computers.
“Staff members have been eager to adapt to a technology that keeps them in touch with their patients,” Iliceto said.
In response to the large influx of COVID-19 patients in the emergency department of Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) during the height of the coronavirus pandemic, VNASI created its COVID Telephone Program, which is presently being used to follow up on care for coronavirus patients who were treated and released from RUMC.
According to Iliceto, the program enhances the care of patients suspected to have, or who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, who may not require in-person care, yet benefit from symptom management and clinical follow-up.
A nurse evaluates each patient by telephone and through video as an option. Each call includes a review of the patient’s symptoms, their general health and a medication review. The call is intended to focus on the patient’s concerns for discussion and to educate the patient and family regarding social-distancing and any other topics regarding infection transmission. If the patient requires a face-to-face visit with a nurse, a visit is then scheduled.
VNASI was founded in 1917, and is the only in-home nursing service devoted exclusively to serving Staten Islanders. Its offices are located at 400 Lake Ave., Mariners Harbor. For more information about VNASI and its services call 718-816-3500, or access the website at www.vnasi.org.