Memorial Sloan Kettering Social Worker Patient Advocacy Winner

In the Grand Ballroom of the Roosevelt Hotel in midtown Manhattan last night, Centers Health Care, one of the largest and most complete post-acute health care continuums in the northeast, announced Yanette L. Tactuk, a highly respected and admired social worker with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the recipient of the 2018 Centers Health Care Patient Advocacy Award. The announcement was made by the evening's host, Kenny Rozenberg, CEO of Centers Health Care, following a presentation of recognition plaques for the finalists. Both Mr. Rozenberg and E. Angela Heller, last year's award winner from New York Presbyterian Hospital, were on stage presenting the plaques and Ms. Tactuk's award.

Winner Tactuk & CEO Rozenberg

"Social workers are the caring, compassionate patient advocates who keep potentially tragic outcomes from becoming commonplace," said Rozenberg in his presentation of the award.

Former New York State Governor David Paterson attended ceremony and spoke from his past experiences about the importance of social workers.

Former Gov. Paterson last night

A clinical social worker at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Ms. Tactuk was one of ten highly experienced finalists of this award. The award includes a $2,500 educational grant, plus a $5,000 donation from Centers Health Care to a charity of the winner's choosing.

Penny Damaskos, Director of Social Work at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, nominated Ms. Tactuk.

"Yanette provides immense support during the challenging situations that face all her patients," said Damaskos. "She is able to lead difficult discussions concerning end of life, critical illness and complex family dynamics and is a valued contributor to the interdisciplinary team emphasizing the psychosocial perspective in the patient's care."

Ms. Tactuk graduated from NYU Silver School of Social Work in 2011. From 2011 to 2016, she worked at the Mount Sinai Dubin Center/Breast Health Resource Program before joining Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Ms. Tactuk has nearly seven years of oncology experience, she is a certified medical interpreter and certified in palliative and end of life care. She currently works with inpatient breast medicine, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.

"I am very honored to be this year's award winner," said Tactuk. "I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by strong women who have supported, motivated, and inspired me."

Ms. Tactuk selected Girls Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring girls to be strong, smart, and bold through direct service and advocacy, to be the recipient of Centers' donation.

"The organization is important because they offer young women life lessons to become empowering," said Tactuk.