Quiet, Unassuming Good Guy Kyle Cimochowski Honored for His “Phenomenal” Skills in Behavioral Health

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Mental Health Worker named Day Kimball Healthcare’s Employee of the Month

 

PUTNAM, CONN. – When people are at their most vulnerable, creating a calm, safe environment becomes an important part of demonstrating compassion and reassurance. At Day Kimball Hospital’s emergency department and inpatient behavioral health unit, mental health worker Kyle Cimochowski, is the first person many patients meet to begin the therapeutic process for individuals addressing with behavioral health conditions. “He’s a good guy, quiet and unassuming. He has a wonderful way with patients, and works extremely well with our clinicians on behalf of the patients,” describes Al Vario, Director of Behavioral Health, of Day Kimball Healthcare’s (DKH) Employee of the Month. He added, “The entire team on the unit has advocated for Kyle to be selected as Employee of the Month, all of them submitting a nomination.”

Cimochowski was honored at a recognition celebration on Friday, January 30 at Day Kimball Hospital in the private dining room after being selected from among a group of nominated employees. When he presented Cimochowski with his award at the gathering, Bob Smanik, President and CEO said, “You should be proud of yourself for helping to restore someone’s ability to be in the world. Your co-workers clearly recognize your talent and know you’re a role model for all of us.”

Top (left to right) Bob Smanik, President & CEO, Kyle Cimochowski, Mental Health Worker, Joseph Adiletta, Chairman of the Board. Bottom, Behavioral Health Team gathered at celebration.

Chairman of the Board Joseph Adiletta added, “It’s always heartening to the Board to hear the stories about the individuals focused on making the operations of this organization exceptional. This month you’ve been picked out of the 1,400 who work here to be highlighted. Congratulations and thank you for all you do.”

In Cimochowski’s role he assists the hospital’s behavioral health nursing staff with providing direct patient care and creating a safe healing setting. The team follows the therapeutic milieu model, which believes that every interaction between patient and provider provides potential for personal discovery and learning of new ways of interacting with others in healthy ways. His duties include monitoring patient vital signs; facilitating admissions, transfers and discharges; orienting new patients to their surroundings and the policies of the inpatient unit; and transcribing physician orders and completing necessary administrative forms.

Certified by Crisis Prevention Institute in non-violent crisis intervention Cimochowski also instructs other staff at DKH in proper practices to manage crisis situations. “Kyle makes both the patients and staff feel safe. He is intuitive to the patients and in turn knows how and when to insert himself before an issue escalates,” said Vario.

“You bring a lot to the table; your mindfulness is unbelievable. We’re able to raise the bar of our care having you on the unit. For that, I am very thankful,” added Kathleen Mackenzie, RN, clinical coordinator, behavioral health.

“What I do is give 110 percent for the patients. They deserve nothing but the best and that’s what I give,” explained Cimochowski. He also added, “My peers nominated me and chose me, but we all work incredibly hard in difficult emotional situations. I’m honored and humbled.”

Cimochowski is also certified by Connecticut Association of Non-Profits Center of Professional Development, Justice Resource Institute in Suicide Awareness Prevention, University of Maryland in Individual Crisis Intervention and Peer Support, and Providers Council in Supervision. He is also East Thompson, CT Assistant Fire Chief, having served as a Firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician since 1997, for which he was honored in 2011.

He previously worked with autistic, cognitively disabled children with mixed disorders and diagnosis, eventually opening three therapeutic group homes for young adults with the same disabilities.

Cimochowski is a proud father of twin daughters, avid fisherman and currently resides in Pomfret Center, CT.