TOP HONOREES
Name: Phara Carolei
Title: Program Director
Employer: Rochdale Village NORC
Biography: Phara Carolei is a first-generation Haitian American who is bi-lingual in Haitian Creole and English. She has worked in social services for over 20+ years and is a Social Worker by trade. However, she is first a wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and mother of two beautiful boys.
In 2002, Phara was a Family Advocate for youths who were removed from their homes through the Administration for Children Services (ACS) and the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) where she worked with an interdisciplinary team to ensure reunification and service delivery. Following this, Phara ventured to the homeless sector where she worked for over 13+ years moving up in the ranks from a Team Leader to Director of Client Services to Executive of All Shelter Programs all within the Westchester County area.
In addition to her professional work, Phara has been an advocate in giving back to the community. During her formative years, Phara took an opportunity to go to the countries of South Africa and Swaziland, where she and her group personally distributed school supplies to orphaned children. Phara is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated (DST) for 13 years and has served on several committees during these years. In 2010 after the devastating 7.0 earthquake in Haiti, Phara along with her sorority established the Relief for Haiti where she shipped and distributed multiple barrels that consisted of medical supplies, non-perishable food items, clothes, and hygiene products to orphanages and the homeless. In 2017, due to her philanthropic ways Phara was also recognized for her achievements by the Haitian American Professional Women’s Alliance (HAPWA).
Phara has served as a social work Field Instructor for the past 14+ years at the College of New Rochelle, Columbia University, Mercy College, New York University, Nyack College, and Fordham University. She graduated from State University at Albany earning a double bachelors in Criminal Justice and Sociology and a Masters in Social Welfare (MSW). In 2012, she received Recognition for Service in the Baccalaureate Social Work Program from the College of New Rochelle and is a member of their Social Work Advisory Board.
Today, Phara is the Executive Director of the Rochdale Village NORC program where she is dedicated to working with the senior population and with the Rochdale Village community. Phara is working towards creating initiative and innovative programs for the Rochdale Village senior community all while assisting them with independence and helping them age gracefully within their homes.
Name: Radica Rampersaud
Title: Respiratory Therapist
Employer: Jamaica Hospital Medical Center
Biography: Radica has been working as a licensed Respiratory Therapist at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center since March 2003. She enjoys her work at Jamaica hospital, which is in her own community. As a Respiratory Therapist, she cares for patients who have trouble breathing from a chronic respiratory disease such as asthma or emphysema. Respiratory therapists set up oxygen as well as life support equipment for patients having difficulty breathing. In addition, at Jamaica hospital they are a part of the trauma team, cardiac arrest team and rapid response team working with other medical professionals during emergent situations. The work of a respiratory therapist was never more essential than when COVID-19 hit the New York area in March of 2020. This area of Queens was significantly impacted by the pandemic during the initial wave and again during Delta and Omicron surges. Radica Rampersaud worked throughout the entire COVID pandemic and worked a tremendous amount of overtime while the hospital was short staffed due to the increased number of patients and staffing shortages due to illness. There were many days that she went above and beyond her job description assisting a patient to eat or drink, while they were on a BiPap machine which was helping them breath. Many times, she helped patients speak to family members one last time before she put a tube in their mouth and attached them to a ventilator. Meanwhile, at home, she encouraged her two daughters to pursue careers in medical fields. One is now a clinical pharmacist, and the other is studying to become a Physician's Assistant. In her spare time, she babysits her niece, accompanies her mother to doctor's visits and works at another hospital, since respiratory therapists are in such high demand. Radica never complains about her work assignment and is always the first to lend a hand to a co-worker. The doctors and nurses all know her by name, and they know she will always come to their aid when called. She covers all areas of the hospital including the Adult Intensive Care units, general floors, and even the Neonatal ICU. Radica is an outstanding example of a frontline worker in healthcare who is working hard to improve the health of her community.
Name: Jennifer A. Henry
Title: Assistant Head Nurse
Employer: Health + Hospitals Queens
Biography: Jennifer Henry is a nurse dedicated to enhancing the nursing profession. Jennifer is a health educator and a nurse leader who uses her skills and expertise to raise awareness, promote, and foster health and wellness in the communities where she lives/works. Jennifer has worked at NYC Health + Hospital for well over 20 years. She is a participating member of several professional organizations: A Legacy Life member of National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Queens County Section, where she serves on the Health/Wellness Committee, Cultural Arts, International, Youth Section, and the Nominating Committee. Jennifer serves as the Vice President of the professional Theta Chi Chapter Inc., of Chi Eta Phi Inc., Nursing Sorority overseeing programs and projects for her chapter. A delegate member of the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and the secretary of the Nurses Association of the Counties of Long Island (NACLI).
Jennifer’s passion is promoting community health and wellness. She has devoted her time to strengthening the health of her community. Jennifer initiates, collaborates and partners with organizations from around the five boroughs to promote and foster annual breast cancer walks, national breastfeeding awareness, postpartum depression, maternal health and mortality, AIDS/HIV, kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. Jennifer has collaborated with worship centers to promote breast screenings and carry out health forums such as, "Keeping Communities Alive & Healthy: Tools for Healthy Living". Even during the pandemic, Jennifer participated in virtual events promoting and collaborating with other organization conducting zoom events. Jennifer has a passion for community health fairs and devotes her time and expertise to such causes. Rising continuously to the occasion during the COVID-19 pandemic, she was steadfast during the worst and darkest times. She kept the faith, rallied with other healthcare workers who stayed the course to help rebuild people’s lives with care, compassion and dignity.
Jennifer Henry was awarded 2021 Nurses Association of the Counties of Long Island Front Line Worker’s Award, Health + Hospital Queens 2021 Certificate of Appreciation for over 20 years of Outstanding Service from staff and leadership, Community Services Award from the 2020 Guyanese Girl’s Rock Front Line Worker’s Awards and State Senator Comrie’s 2020 Frontline Worker’s Award Certificate. Jennifer holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health and is currently pursuing a doctorate in nurse practice.
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