Celebrating Women’s History Month and a culture committed to growth

This year, the theme for Women’s History Month is: Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. We connected with two of our Northwell team members, Celenise and Caitlin, from the Women in Healthcare Business Employee Resource Group (BERG) at Northwell Health, who share their journeys and career experience. Join us as we explore how they utilized Northwell’s professional development resources to grow their careers and felt supported along the way.

Celenise M. Mahmood, senior learning and organizational development specialist, revenue cycle

Celenise was drawn to Northwell due to its renowned commitment to delivering high-quality patient care and its innovative approach to healthcare. In her current role, her primary responsibility is to design, implement and evaluate learning and development initiatives tailored specifically to the revenue cycle department. Celenise began her journey at Northwell in 2014 as an administrative support associate and grew within our organization with access to programs such as our BERGs, tuition assistance for continued education, career coaching and mentorship opportunities with seasoned healthcare leaders. In 2016, she transitioned to a financial counselor at Lenox Hill Hospital. Then, she was promoted to senior revenue cycle quality and performance analyst in 2018. Five years later, she was promoted to her current role of senior learning and organizational development specialist.

With over a decade of experience and through her networking connections, Celenise is a true advocate for her BERG members and a co-lead of the Women in Healthcare BERG membership development committee.  She shares the importance of Northwell’s BERGs because, “becoming a BERG member has had a significant impact on my career journey at Northwell by providing opportunities for networking, mentorship and career coaching to help further my professional development.”

As a woman of Puerto Rican and Trinidadian heritage, Celenise feels our BERGs, like Women in Healthcare BERG, Hispanic Latino BERG, and African American/Caribbean BERG, reinforce this year’s theme of diversity, inclusion and belonging for Women’s History Month: “They provide a platform to connect and support one another, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and empowered workforce,” she said.

Caitlin Brown, registered nurse, Glen Cove Hospital

Caitlin Brown began her career at Northwell in 2019 as a newly graduated registered nurse at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in the telemetry/medical surgical unit. In 2021, she transitioned to her current role as a registered nurse in the emergency department at Glen Cove Hospital. Northwell has supported Caitlin’s career journey in many ways as she is currently receiving tuition assistance as a graduate student in the Northwell Health Stony Brook University Cohort for her master’s degree in nursing education. She has participated in Northwell’s mentorship program at Glen Cove Hospital both as a mentee and now advocates for her fellow team members as a mentor in that same program. Caitlin is also certified in the trauma nursing core course (TNCC) and achieved level three (the highest level) within the clinical ladder program, now serving as the clinical ladder co-chair at Glen Cove Hospital. “Being a part of Northwell, these opportunities have truly paved the way to support my career goals and professional development,” shared Caitlin.

This year’s theme resonates closely with Caitlin, as an active member of the Women in Healthcare BERG, African American/Caribbean BERG and Glen Cove Hospital’s Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee. Caitlin shared, “I will always be an advocate in our workplace and community. This year’s theme also aligns with Northwell’s mission and commitment to the Culture of C.A.R.E.”

When asked why Caitlin believes it is so important for Northwell to have BERGs, Caitlin shared, “BERGs are a significant part of being a team member at Northwell. BERGs enable team members to make connections, network and learn from those who share similar interests and backgrounds.”

Northwell’s Women in Healthcare BERG is hosting various celebrations and events during Women’s History Month, including panel discussions featuring influential female leaders in healthcare, fireside chats, networking opportunities, workshops focused on career advancement and empowerment and celebrating the achievements and contributions of outstanding women across Northwell through our Women Who Inspire Awards. At Northwell, we’re proud to showcase the experiences of Northwell team members, like Celenise and Caitlin, who share in our mission to advance equity, diversity and inclusion for all.

Learn more about Northwell’s commitment to equity and inclusion in the workplace.