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Code of Conduct Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize those staff members who demonstrate a strong commitment to the provisions of the Justice Center Code of Conduct. People who sign the Code of Conduct, including all BryLin employees, are individuals who are employed by, or volunteer at, state operated, licensed, or certified facilities or agencies under the Justice Center’s jurisdiction. Consultants, volunteers or contractors of organizations or companies that contract with facilities and agencies, under the Justice Center’s jurisdiction, sign the Code of Conduct if they have regular and substantial contact with people receiving services.

BryLin Behavioral Health System has chosen to nominate three (3) employees, from a list of many deserving candidates, who have gone above and beyond, especially during this global health crisis.

Greg Stoklosa – For over 31 years, Greg has always been a team player, often going above and beyond, and this nomination is evidence of an appreciation for his clear commitment to care recipients and his co-workers alike. Soon after the global pandemic (COVID-19) gripped our community, it became evident to Greg, who works in the Materials Management Department, that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other supplies were going to be an unquestionable necessity in order to provide a safe environment for service recipients and staff. It was not easy for a small private psychiatric hospital to locate so many of these provisions, but Greg worked with a passion, tirelessly contacting agencies and vendors from around the country in a seemingly never-ending search for an ample supply of equipment. Each day would present with new challenges but, because of Greg’s efforts, his co-workers were able to concentrate on providing compassionate care and the service recipients could ultimately focus on their own wellness during very difficult circumstances.

Minerva Ramos – Every employee at BryLin Hospital is a vital member of our multidisciplinary treatment team, including Minerva who has worked in Housekeeping for over 14 years. Minerva is best known for her cheerful demeanor, her kindness towards others and for her professionalism. She loves kids and she can often be found engaging in a therapeutic interaction with one of the care recipients on the child and adolescent unit of the Hospital. During the pandemic, at a challenging time when her department was short-staffed, Minerva quickly jumped into a leadership role, training new employees to ensure these standards were met if not exceeded. Minerva took new employees under her wing and worked meticulously, making sure safety was the top priority.

Robert Ruminski– Robert has been with BryLin for less than a year, but he has already made a significant impact. Jumping right into the “fire”, so to speak, as the new Employee Health and Infection Control Nurse, Robert came to BryLin during the peak of the pandemic in early April. Robert immediately worked very closely with both care recipients and staff to decrease fears and anxieties related to COVID-19 infection and transmission. He was very attentive to what people had to say and thoroughly answered questions to ensure all were healthy and safe. Working at a small private psychiatric hospital, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) was something most within the mental health field had little experience with. Robert worked meticulously educating staff on the proper fitting and application of PPE while also informing care recipients on best practices for self-care during a pandemic. During this unprecedented health crisis, Robert has shown to be an inspiration to us all, but he is no stranger to challenges. Robert is a Graduate (with distinction) of the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine and with over 30 years of clinical experience. He has served our country wearing all four uniforms of the U.S. Military. He was also an Aero-Medical Squadron Commander with 16 combat tours of duty. Robert retired with the rank of Major from the U.S. Air Force in 2005.

On behalf of all of us at BryLin Behavioral Health System, thank you all for your dedication to excellence!

Members of the Justice Center’s Advisory Council will review Code of Conduct Award nominations and select award winners who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the Code of Conduct throughout the year.

The winners will be announced on the Justice Center’s website on September 4, 2020. Winners will also be recognized during the Advisory Council’s September 24, 2020 meeting by the Justice Center and other New York State policy makers.