We are excited to announce the first recipients of awards from The Susan Lewen Staff Excellence Fund! This fund was established in 2023 to honor the profound contributions and spirit of excellence of Susan Lewen who served as WJCS’ Chief Development Officer from 2013-2023. This fund is intended to enable activities, programs, and services to acknowledge staff who follow in Susan Lewen’s footsteps in being exceptional at their job and in their commitment to the mission of WJCS.
Four WJCS staff members are selected annually as recipients of this award based on three criteria; exceptional skills & productivity, team support, and demonstrated leadership. Each recipient receives two cash awards: $500 for fun and self-care, and $1,000 towards personalized professional development opportunities relevant to their career goals, for a total of $1,500 per recipient. Some professional development opportunities may include:
- Unique experiential awards, travel to conferences, and attending special trainings.
- Leadership development activities, programs, and services to enhance employee engagement and foster leadership development .
- Creating an opportunity to build relationships and network with other top performers and management.
- Contributing towards an educational/ professional certification, course of study, or degree program.
We had many outstanding nominations for the award and after having made careful and difficult decisions, we are proud to announce our four awardees:
Ann Brammer, Mount Vernon Clinic Director
Ann Brammer has been the Clinic Director of Mt. Vernon for 20+ years, establishing herself as a very-well respected leader, clinician, supervisor, and friend to so many of her staff. Ann is dedicated to the services provided at the Mt. Vernon clinic—a diverse and challenged community with many needs. The well-decorated and supportive atmosphere that Ann maintains in the clinic allows for a comfortable and safe space for individuals receiving services. Despite the challenges that the clinic building presents, Ann always stays true to the mission of serving the Mt. Vernon community with a positive, supportive, and problem-solving attitude. She promotes teamwork by engaging in team-building activities and events, while often cooking for her team and clients. Ann’s nurturing skills are just some examples of how she goes above and beyond for her colleagues, her clients, and for her community. She demonstrates excellence in her work every day and empowers others to be excellent, and therefore, is deserving of this award.
Krystle Colon, Licensed Practical Nurse Supervisor
Krystle Colon has been an integral part of the entire WJCS team, managing the clinical aspects of all four WJCS clinics. She is a consummate professional in all of her administrative and clinical duties, and goes above and beyond for our clients and our mission. Krystle demonstrates the true meaning of patient/family partner and advocate by being a positive role model and a team player. She continually advances her own personal knowledge, mentoring and coaching others in achieving their professional goals. One of her ongoing accomplishments is managing client care with a positive attitude by training new LPN’s, selflessly dedicating her time, and ensuring consistent communication between clinicians and psychiatric staff. “It is an honor and privilege to work with such a wonderful person; a highly-skilled, extremely knowledgeable, compassionate, life-long learner who always does her job with a smile.”
Nicholas Primavera, Shelanu & Supper Club Coordinator
Nick Primavera has been a program leader in our WJCS Shelanu program for 25 years, supporting young adults on the autism spectrum with social programming and revitalized the Supper Club, which was dormant during COVID. The combined membership in these programs has now grown to about 45 young adults. He also helped to develop WJCS Job Preparation Classes and now teaches and manages residents at the Taft Center, providing them with transferable job skills. Nick has proven to be a self-starter, working tirelessly for our clients, co-workers, and community. Nick is not a clinician by training, but has a way with communicating and supporting our most challenging members. He is a confident, outgoing, and an extremely hard worker. Nick also is a wonderful collaborator, building relationships with other WJCS community programs and staff who now regularly attend our enriching events. Nick is always thoughtful and grateful for anyone who helps with our clients, acknowledging them with awards, warm messages, and meaningful emails. He is the rock for many members and their families, providing socialization, a supportive community, and fun field trips and outings! Nick has earned the respect, love, and admiration of the members of the DD community and connected with their families, as well as his WJCS colleagues.
Erica Rice, Accounts Receivable Manager
Erica Rice came aboard the WJCS Finance Department many years ago, and continues to succeed! Her confidence, work ethic, and leadership skills ensured a smooth transition to the new system, as well as in the productivity of the day to day operations of our billing team. Erica has an excellent spirit, is hardworking, and customer-oriented. She is a true team player who is never afraid to roll up her sleeves and get her hands dirty, and a great listener who cares about the well-being of her staff. Erica is exceptional at her job and her commitment to WJCS’s mission; helping people of all ages and backgrounds overcome emotional, vocational, disability, and spiritual challenges so they can lead lives with strength, resilience, and confidence.
WJCS CEO Seth Diamond announced our award winners through an agency-wide announcement. We were happy to celebrate our award winners with presentations of their plaques at the Annual 2024 Staff Winter Luncheon.
Congratulations to our very deserving Susan Lewen Staff Excellence Award Winners!
