Messages of Thanks – 2022

 In Blog, CDSLT Blog

I am thankful for 33 years of service on behalf of the special people we serve at CDS Life Transitions, CDS Monarch, Prime Care Coordination CDS Housing and Warrior Salute Veterans Services. I am grateful that throughout my three decades of service, our highly skilled and dedicated staff have shown steadfast and exemplary service, especially during the COVID 19 pandemic. I am also very grateful for the unwavering support shown by the Boards of Directors. Working with us collaboratively, these volunteers trusted my staff and me to deliver quality supports and services in a fiscally sound manner. They have worked with us in a very collaborative and supportive manner.Additionally, I am thankful for the support of my executive team who have shown competence, compassion, caring, and have had longevity. As I step away from the CEO position, I am grateful for the Board choosing someone from within CDS to replace me. We are all very proud of Andrew and know he will do great things in the coming years. He is a true leader. very thankful for my family who have been at my side and have supported me. I am very grateful for Abigayle and Andrew. They are wonderful children who have grown into good citizens with good values. They make their mother and I proud. Our daughter-in-law, Emily, is a wonderful mother to our four beautiful and precious grandchildren, David, Caleb, Lily and Hayley, who fill our lives with unbridled joy and happiness. Emily and Andrew are building a life of love for each other, their children and God; showing that their priorities are in the right places. Last but not least, I thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ in whom I find strength and resolve. Throughout my life, which has been filled with failures and successes, I have felt His abiding presence in what has been an improbable life.

Sankar Sewnauth


Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you to the iCircle team for your dedication and teamwork each and every day! 2022 has been a year of focus on the development of new products lines and a re-emergence of in-person meetings. It has been great to reconnect with everyone and I am looking forward to the in-person holiday lunches for the first time since 2019. I am very blessed to work with each of you! Thank you for everything you do to support our members and providers!

Enjoy the holiday season with family and friends!

Sharon Marble


I am thankful for being able to work with such a great group of people throughout all our companies at CDSLT. Thank you to Sankar, Andrew, and Rich for your mentoring, support, and leadership. I am sincerely grateful for every member of the finance team and enjoy working with each of you. I appreciate your compassion, dedication, and the knowledge that each of you brings to the team. Thank you for what you do each and every day!

Best wishes and happiness to you and your families this coming year!

Judy Consadine


I’d like to express my gratitude to a talented team of compassionate people.  This year we have experienced new challenges and overcome them by supporting each other.  We are so fortunate to have you in the CDS family and I am extremely grateful to work with you every day.

Thank you for being such an amazing group!

James Velazquez


It’s the time of year that we all reflect on how much the people in our lives mean to us.

I couldn’t be more thankful that I have such a wonderful family, and I am just as grateful to be able to work with such amazing people. Thank you to all of our individuals and the entire CDS Monarch Team; with special thanks to Tasha Mercado, Brian Wagner, Jaquan Cowan, Twanya McNeal, Noel Williams, Ann Marie Ludd, Mike Eabron, Tracy Mellon, Peter Owen, and Carlos Morales for always giving “your all”! You are an amazing team!

I wish everyone the Happiest of Holidays!

Jayme Sharpe


The Season of Thanksgiving is here and so begin the Holidays! What a great year it has been in iCircle. I am so grateful for the Leadership and each of their Teams that continues to collaborate work so hard to contribute to the members and our mission. Special Thank You to the Quality and Compliance Teams, you ALL work so hard every day and it does not go unnoticed. You are a specialized, talented, and dedicated group of professionals that have a tremendous work ethic and just are an overall pleasure to work with. I am especially grateful for the guidance and friendship of Patti, who, herself is a talented and experienced professional that I have the privilege to work with every day. On a personal note, I am grateful for my loving husband, our children, my parents, good health, and dear friends. Wishing everyone a very Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving and Holiday Season!   

Diane Frederico


Thanksgiving is a time to gather with those closest to each of us to reflect on who and what we are most thankful for. First, I am thankful for the amazingly awesome HR/Training/Front Desk team who strive every day to make our work experience the best that it can be. Through many changes this past year, the team has consistently provided high-level support and professionalism to all areas of our agency. I am thankful every day for our team!  Second, a huge Thank You to everyone who works to provide those who we serve the best possible environment and assistance in support of our agency mission.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Brian Stephenson


As I reflect on 2022, I want to give my heartfelt gratitude of thanks to the Quality and Compliance team at iCircle. Each one has been so supportive to me this year. We are fortunate to work so well together. Someone once said when we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone at CDSLT and especially to the iCircle team and most importantly to the iCircle Quality and Compliance team; Diane Frederico, Jim Corl, Christopher Plane, Josette Jack-Akwaa, Rebecca Handel and Rachel Gagan.

Lisa Ray


As I reflect on 2022, I am thankful for my family, health, and the time spent with family and friends. 

To my work family, I want to particularly thank the amazing CDSM and PCC Compliance and Quality teams for all that they do, their dedication, commitment, and professionalism!! They are an exceptional group of people and I am proud to work with them. I also would like to thank my colleagues, especially James, Carrie, Andrew, Kate, Diane, and Deb Bean – thank you for your support, guidance, knowledge, energy, and commitment!  Lastly, a special thank you to Sankar as he transitions to a new role – thank you for your dedication, leadership, vision, and high expectations to make CDSLT the best for the people and families we support! Happy Thanksgiving!! 

Patti Arcese


As the holidays approach, I’d like to take the opportunity to share how very fortunate I feel to be surrounded by such dedicated, giving, and wonderful people! As a team we’ve seen and grown through experiences we never thought we’d have and every one of you within the Contracting, Credentialing and Network Analytics departments has risen to the occasion and surpassed all of my expectations. I’m so proud of each and every one of you. Thank you for helping me, and our company grow. I’m so thankful to have you all by my side. May you all have a wonderful holiday season!

Jenn Granger


I sincerely thank all DSPs, Managers, Clinicians, and Directors for your dedication and commitment to helping us provide quality services. Your work is truly commendable, and I appreciate your contribution. I can’t thank you all enough. I am thankful to be a part of such a fantastic team. I hope you take some time to enjoy your family, friends, and those you hold close.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ashley Leonard


Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays!  I am so thankful for everyone on the iCircle team!  Thank you to our Care Managers, Assessment Nurses, UM Team, Member Services, Enrollment and Administrative support teams for the ongoing coordination, support, and teamwork that you provide to keep our members safe and healthy.  Thank you to our Provider Network, Claims, Finance and Quality teams for the behind the scenes work you do to keep everything flowing to ensure we can deliver the best services possible.  Finally, thank you to all the staff helping to put together a great DSNP/MAP product. 

We have a great team!

Sarah Fitzwater


I would like to thank all my managers I’ve been fortunate to work with over the past year for their hard work and dedication each of them have shown under very difficult circumstances. You each amaze me with the care you give to the individuals we serve. You always have their best interest in mind and have given up a lot of your personal lives to make sure they are looked after. I can’t thank you enough on behalf of myself a the agency. Your staff are equally as dedicated an important. Without the care of the DSP’s and ARM’s none of this would be possible. You do a very difficult job every day and I want you to know we do appreciate you! I wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving and a Happy and safe holiday season!

Thank you all.

Bob Carello


I am grateful for my family and friends. I am most grateful that my sister is cancer free after over a year of procedures, chemo, and radiation thanks to a stem cell donor from Europe and the staff at Strong Memorial Hospital.

Debbie Haskins


Finance team…Thank you for all you do – day in, day out. All your hard work, commitment, and support does not go unnoticed. I am grateful to be part of this incredible team. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Renée Chichester


Wow, another year has passed so quickly!

This year I’d like to send my gratitude and admirations to the entire leadership team who have navigated another successful year filled with many challenges and new transitions. It’s a pleasure watching the organization continue to grow and transform.

As always, I must send my sincerest appreciation and heartfelt thanks to the entire IT team. It is a pleasure to work with all of you and I am so proud of your accomplishments. May you always have much to be grateful for, I am grateful for all of you.

Damian Marinaccio


I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the entire CDSM Clinical and Intake Team for your continued dedication to improving the lives of the people we serve.  I am humbled and honored to continue to work side by side with all of you. Despite the challenges that we have encountered this year (including staffing challenges), the quality of care provided to the individuals is second to none! I would also like to extend a special thank you to the clinical Management Team, Sara, Pat, and Liz as well as Maura and Katie. I couldn’t do this without you all!

Lastly, thank you to CDSM Leadership, Directors, Managers, DSPs, and support departments for your hard work and determination throughout these past few years. 

Kristin Bomba


CDS Housing is thankful for the addition of two dedicated and compassionate staff members, Robin Rubado and Brian Kehoe, who have greatly improved the quality of the affordable housing projects we develop, while always staying true to the integrity of our agency.

Housing would also like to thank all the support departments that make our work possible: Business Office, Accounts Payable, HR, Marketing and Compliance.  Lastly, we’d like to thank all the service divisions of the organization; the selfless work you do provides a sense of pride to all CDS employees.

Patrick Pinkerton


To Team Unistel:

As we head into this year’s Holiday Season and reflect on all of the wonderful blessings and things that have happened in our lives, one thing that remain at the top of my list is how grateful I am for the ALL OF YOU.  Your tireless dedication to support all of our customers, the individuals who receive services and each other amazes me every day.  I wish you all nothing but happiness and health for the Holidays and in the coming year.  Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays. 

Kim Albert


This year more than ever I am eternally grateful for the love and joy shared with my family (two Daughters and three Grandchildren!). Especially my wife Sandy, recently celebrating 40 years together as a married couple. I am also grateful for the opportunity to experience the magic that CDS Life Transitions does across the whole agency on a daily basis through our amazing employees and those that we serve. I’m proud and honored to be part of the team. Wishing health & happiness to all this holiday season.

Tom DeRoller


This year, I am especially thankful for a wonderful team of Care Managers to work with every day. Of course, I am grateful to the Blue Team, but I include ALL of the hard-working, compassionate CMs who are making a positive difference in the lives of others. A special shout of thanks to Sarah Fitzwater who is always supportive and makes my job a place where I feel fulfilled and valued.

Cathy Agnello


During this holiday season, I would like to express my gratitude for the iCircle Team’s consistent efforts to ensure our company achieves great heights and serves our membership to the best of our capacity.  You are all the reasons that iCircle is an asset to our communities, our members and their families.  Thank you so much for everything! I wish you and your loved ones the happiest of Thanksgivings!

Samantha Bartz


I want to say a big Thank You to my Utilization Management Team: Annell West RN, Christy LaLonde RN, Jill Ricciardiello RN, Adrian Lucas RN, Kim Herrmann RN, and Miranda Signor RN.  All of these wonderful ladies demonstrate how TEAM WORK really does result in positive outcomes. There is never a problem or situation we cannot handle as a group. The work ethic and creative brainstorming to solve any issue is amazing. And it makes my work day go so easy. I am the Supervisor I am because of them. Each day they take on more responsibility to allow me to accomplish work on bigger projects. Also, I appreciate the laughter they bring to the weekly meetings.  Without these ladies I am sure that my long progress of moving and working full time would not have been easy. THANK YOU to all of you for being there for me. I am a very lucky and thankful person for working at iCircle with some pretty awesome people.

Millissa Ross


I would like to send a HUGE thank You to Deb Bean. Deb thank you for being you!!!! Thanks for all the love and support that you have shown me through the years. Thanks for being you….I want to thank MILDRED MAXI my ARM who has helped me make it through these trying times and never complaining. I also want to thank MARLENE DISALVATORE for stepping up and complete extra tasks and shifts with no questions asked.  I want o thank DANIELLE DAMORE for always willing to help where needed. I also want to thank my awesome Director BOB CARELLO for the many years of guidance and support. For always lending an ear when I needed to vent and for letting me be me. You will be missed as my Director.

Sandra Gross


I want to thank my team for putting in 110% every day in support of CDS staff, you are the Dream Team! I would also give props to the entire IT department, System Admins, Applications team, Information Security and of course, our fearless leader, Damian Marinaccio. Damian has put together a team that works very well together and I’m looking forward to 2023!

Rich Staggert


I am so grateful to be working at iCircle with fellow caring and compassionate individuals.

I am fortunate to have an amazing team, an amazing supervisor and amazing coworkers all around. 

I am grateful for my job!

Lori Zappala


I want to be Thankful to work with some wonderful staff at Turk Hill 1 – Valerie, Keisha, Vicki, Nellie, Kathie, Juan, Latosha.  We have survived the Pandemic and all other obstacles but we have managed to keep our house running smooth and polished. I appreciate all of you and wish you all the best for the upcoming Holidays with our individuals and your families.  We are an awesome TEAM!!!!!! 

Eleticia “Letty” Padilla


To Wolf Center Front desk

Charlie and Bobby, I want both of you to know that your hardworking efforts don’t go unnoticed. You truly are assets to the HR team as well as to CDS Life Transitions! You present such a great first impression to everyone who walks through the main doors, and for that, I am truly grateful. I appreciate your time and care in all your job tasks and your support in assisting me when needed. I enjoy working with both of you and getting to know you better. We’ve accomplished a lot together and I appreciate all that you do. Thank you very much for everything!

To Front desk Coverage workers

I want all of you to know how much I value the extra effort you’ve made to cover and assist the Front desk during the time off I’ve had throughout the year. I know how hard you already work, and I am well aware of the additional demand this placed on you, and wanted to express my heartfelt appreciation. Thank you for the willingness and flexibility you have all exhibited this year.

To Deb Bean

You are a shining star, not just because of your excellent work ethic, but also because of how kind and helpful you are to others here. You are an inspiration in every way, and it is people like you that make this company a great place to work at. I have learned a great deal, with you helping me to develop new skills and teaching me new things. I appreciate all the support, words of wisdom, and opportunities you have given me, which mean a lot. You are exceptional, and I consider myself very fortunate to have you as my supervisor. On a personal level, you’re also an amazing confidant and dependable supporter in everything you believe in. Thank you for being such a delightful and fantastic person. You are truly a blessing to me, the Front desk, HR, and CDS Life Transitions!

To Sankar

I would like to express my gratitude to you for being a role model and an inspiration. You’re considerate, compassionate, and generous with your time and energy. You have always proven to be a great leader who puts his employees first. Great leaders are known, not by their titles but by the number of lives they’ve impacted, of which for you are several. You are a man of outstanding vision and insight. You have been an important asset to this company, and your contribution to its success is invaluable. Over the many years that I’ve worked here, I have seen your leadership skill help us in achieving incredible things. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement and the support you provide. Thank you for always making all populations feel heard and having the agency’s best interests at heart. Thank you for being such a highly dedicated and committed leader. You are appreciated.

As your daughter, I am blessed beyond measure. I can’t thank you enough for your impact on my life. You are a man of integrity, discipline, and excellence in all areas of your life. Thank you so much for supporting me and your effort in making sure I become a better person.

Abigayle Sewnauth


Thank you to my amazing care managers on the Yellow Team at iCircle: Christine Byron, Blythe Oram, Kate Dickens, Christine Trimboli, Anthony Chapotin, Lisa Preston, Michael Rubenstein, Lisa Beers, Rebecca Dougherty, Sarah King, Sharon Kinch-Mead and Megan Beavers.  You each work so hard for your members, it is inspirational to see.  I continue to be impressed by and proud of you every day.   

Meghan Burton


I would like to send a heartfelt thank you to each of the Site Managers, Residence Managers, TC’s, ARM’s, and DSP’s for ensuring the individuals are safe and happy every day.  Your dedication to providing high-quality care and services does not go unnoticed.  Thank you to my supervisor, Jayme Sharpe, for always being supportive, responsive, and inspiring.  The best interest of the individuals and veterans is the basis for everything you do.  You continually push me to challenge myself and think outside the box.  To my colleagues on the Operations team, thank you for the ongoing teamwork.  None of us could do this alone!  My hope is that each of you finds time to relax, eat good food, and spend quality time with your loved ones during this holiday season.

Tasha Mercado


Special thanks to the CDSM QI Incident Management Team…Brad, Eric, Clara, and Priscila! This team has shown continued perseverance and commitment amid the challenges. Thank you for all you do! Wishing you many blessings this holiday season!

Erin Bostian


Thank you to red team for all your hard work throughout the year. This year, we have had quite a few team changes. Despite the challenges you have maintained a consistent support to your members, teammates, and me. I appreciate each of you.

Elizabeth Belser


There is light at the end of the tunnel, but you need to have patience in order to maneuver to the end. This year has been very challenging but with every challenge you gain experience. The challenges I’ve faced has blessed me with the ability to continue to learn and grow because every day a learning opportunity presents itself. I’d like to send a huge thank you to both Emily and Ashley for being amazing mentors. I would also like to share how grateful I am for our DSP’s, managers, directors, and clinicians for ensuring that our individuals thrive and live their best lives.

I know it hasn’t been easy and I would just like to acknowledge all the hard work, effort, and dedication you give because it defiantly doesn’t go unnoticed.

Yasmine Brumfield


Sometimes, we take our situations for granted and we need to be reminded of how fortunate we truly are. This year, I am thankful for the reminder and the opportunities to recenter. While we continue to face challenges, I am grateful for the team that I am blessed to conquer them with. While sometimes it seems that the mountains are impossible to climb, our teams always find a way to come together and provide high quality supports to the individuals we serve. To all of our DSPs, and frontline Managers, there are no words adequate to show the gratitude for your selfless dedication to our individuals. With the mask mandate lifted for our programs, I am also incredibly thankful to see everyone’s smiling faces again, what a difference a friendly smile makes!

Emily Fisher


Thank you to my extended team: Daniela Dambrose, Valerie Smith, and my direct report Susan Parrinello. Working with you makes me feel Thankful, Grateful, and Blessed every day.

Arlette O’Keefe


I want to send my sincere thank you to all operations and support departments across CDS Life Transitions. We have achieved great things throughout 2022 for those we serve in our programs and in the community. The dedication and perseverance of our employees has made the organization as great as it is today. I am proud to be part of an exceptional team. 

Kate Wagner


Happy Thanksgiving and a heartfelt thank you to everyone!

Thank you for who you are, for choosing to be here, and for doing what you do! It doesn’t matter what entity you work in YOU make a difference and YOU play an important role in fulfilling the mission and in the organization’s success. Whether you work directly or indirectly with the individuals we support and/or with the people we come in contact with, I’d like to THANK YOU for leading by example, as actions speak louder than words. You are doing a MUCH NEEDED and APPRECIATED JOB! When I am out and about, I see and hear many things – and I’d like to say: Thank you for giving your best every day – for giving your time, energy, dedication, hard work, love, compassion and care. Thank you for providing quality customer service to everyone you come in contact with. Thank you for listening and being responsive and respectful. Thank you for promoting emotional, physical, and spiritual wellbeing, which also includes promoting overall safety and developing healthy relationships. Thank you for demonstrating courage – to speak up and follow up on what is right, fair, and ethical; and the courage and compassion that I have seen as some of you have had the opportunity to provide the best care, comfort, and support to those in hospice care. Thank you for providing support, guidance, advocacy, teachable moments, oversite, encouragement and praise. Thank you for demonstrating humility, kindness, patience, dependability, and forgiveness. Thank you for also teaching how to be efficient and why that is important. Thank you for demonstrating how to keep a positive attitude even when facing challenges and believing that they are, or can be, some of our greatest opportunities in the end.

And thank you for fulfilling Mother Teresa’s quote “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”

To Sankar

Thank you, Sankar for who you are, for ALL that you’ve done and for the MANY lives you’ve touched and enhanced over the years. 

You truly are an innovative visionary – always driven and creatively thinking “what’s next?” You have such a passion, love, and desire to skillfully reach out and widen the number of those touched by our mission. Your knowledge, skill, ability, and courage to take risks to forge forward allows us to successfully reach out to more people offering life changing opportunities – a better life! 

When you communicate your story and vision, you inspire and motivate others to join in, to grow, and develop. You know people. You recognize the gifts people have. You have instilled in many of us the following qualities: to know and live the mission; be compassionate; care; continually learn; be open to new ideas; see problems as opportunities; be your best; be a team player; be accountable; stand firm to your values; be decisive; generous; have integrity; have courage to do the right thing; be honest; be humble and admit mistakes; apologize; treat each day as a gift; and, make a difference. 

Sankar, these are just some of the lessons shared and learned and I know many of us are most grateful – THANK YOU!

To Andrew

Thank you, Andrew for your leadership, integrity, courage, knowledge, and compassion. Thank you for caring, your positivity, for listening, for your interest in receiving feedback, for offering your guidance and input, and whenever possible, your willingness to allow people the opportunity to learn for themselves. You value relationships, look for the greater good, and strive to enhance lives. Your goal is to continue moving the agency forward. Thank you! 

Deb Bean

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