Since December 1990, Eric Plaza has been working in Gouverneur as a Staff Nurse. In September 2004, Eric Plaza has been one of the core team members of Gouverneur’s Diabetes Project, a part of the Health and Hospitals Corporation Chronic Illness Collaborative. Our diabetes team has been repeatedly cited by both Gouverneur’s administration and HHC central office for our innovative patient centered approaches and our sizable improvements in quality of care for our diabetics.

Since the team’s first days, Mr. Plaza has been an incredibly productive team member. His contributions to the team have included:

• Overseeing monthly data collection/chart reviews

• Helping to adapt innovative patient education strategies to our diabetics, including self-management support

• Suggesting new approaches to solving long standing barriers to care, including a highly successful outreach mailing for diabetics due for eye exams

• Serving as a liaison with Henry Street Settlement in developing and piloting “Vladeck Cares” – a program to improve collaboration between Gouverneur and the Vladeck Housing NORC (naturally occurring retirement community)

• Providing self-management support counseling to dozens of patients going through our Diabetes FastTrack program

• Helping increase the role of Patient Care Associates in the care of diabetics

In everything Eric Plaza does, he brings enthusiasm, optimism and honor. While always respectful, he also “tells it like it is”. He is always there for a patient in need, and will go the extra mile whenever it’s needed.