Accounts from the Upper East Side Office Nurses
Ember Health Upper East Side Office Administrator Andrea Martin sat down with her team’s formidable nursing team Christey Curran and Kevin Dingfelder to learn about their backgrounds and talk about their passion for patient care.
Christey Curran and Kevin Dingfelder
Kevin, Christey, thank you so much for sitting down with me today. Our team is so tightly knit, it’s always a pleasure to speak with you both. If my math is correct, the two of you are Ember’s longest serving nurses. Can you each share how long you’ve been with us, and what led you to Ember Health?
Christey: Hi Andrea! Hi Kevin! It’s always nice getting to sit down and chat with you guys. I joined Ember in February of 2022, just a few months after Kevin.
Before Ember, I was working in High Risk OB and Labor and Delivery at Lenox Hill Hospital. It was pretty incredible to walk into work, witness, and be able to support women through such an intense and transformative experience every day. I was grateful for that role but had always been hoping to find a more holistic and integrative role in mental health. That was my dream when I decided to pursue nursing. I’ve always been drawn to caring professions and to promoting self care.
I’ve been a licensed massage therapist since 2013, and one of the most rewarding parts about that position is having the opportunity to encourage and assist people in winding down, getting in tune with their bodies and emotions, and putting down the stress of their daily life. These are skills I bring to my work here at Ember too. I feel like it helps my patients to really feel safe and supported during the altered state.
Kevin: Hey guys! I became a nurse about a decade ago and initially served in high acuity inpatient adult mental health and dual diagnosis settings. Always up for a new adventure, I made my way to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center’s Emergency Department, a designated level II trauma center and Maryland’s only regional burn center.
After moving to New York, I spent some time working at the Manhattan Detention Center as a correctional nurse and at an infusion clinic for GI disorders. Neither of those positions fulfilled me as much as my prior roles had, and I was soon feeling restless. Throughout this time, having several close friends in the medical field who research and work with dissociatives and psychedelics, I became increasingly fascinated by their potential to treat depression.
When I came across the opportunity at Ember, it seemed to me to be a perfect fit with my interests and past experiences. I’ve been with Ember now for about two and a half years and it’s been such a privilege to grow with this company and see daily the concrete, positive impact we have on our patients.
From a nurse’s perspective, how would you say this environment differs from other places that you’ve worked?
Kevin: The most immediately apparent difference is that our office doesn’t feel like a medical office at all. A lot of care was taken to make sure our patients feel safe and welcome in the office, and as a nurse, we definitely benefit from that as well. It’s such a peaceful oasis separated from the hustle and bustle of the busy Manhattan streets below. Our team members also make all the difference in the world! I’m very grateful to work with such a friendly and collaborative group of professionals.
Christey: I agree with everything Kevin said. The office has a much more warm and cozy vibe than your typical medical office. The office is decorated with beautiful art, comfortable furniture, and the reflection room is a relaxing space for our patients to spend time after their infusions. I love sitting in the reflection room and doing my work or looking at the books we have on the bookshelf when we don’t have patients in the office.
We also have such a great team here. I love working with you guys and Mike. I feel like we all do everything we can to support one another and give our patients the best experience possible. Everyone in our office is willing to step up however and whenever they’re needed and it is so refreshing to work with a team you know you can count on.
Christey, what is your favorite part of your role as the Infusion Nurse?
Christey: I absolutely love being a part of my patients’ infusion experiences. Taking a few moments to craft the intention, pick out music, choose the aromatherapy, and get settled before the infusion is one piece I really enjoy. It’s a bit creative and helps them to get comfortable in the space, tune into their bodies, and get ready for the altered state.
I also love sitting there and being present for the infusion. The way we have a clinician sitting in with the patient during the infusion is unique to Ember and patients often tell me it makes a world of difference for them. There’s something that feels special about being able to witness this process and being there to support patients during the challenging infusions feels special too. The conversations after the infusion can be absolutely fascinating also. Hearing what people thought, saw, or felt; it’s endlessly interesting. I feel very lucky to be able to be a part of this process for my patients.
Kevin, you run infusions and you’re our Nurse Navigator. What makes your role different from Christey’s role as the Infusion Nurse?
Kevin: While it’s true I run infusions as well, my primary role is helping to coordinate our patients’ care among their mental healthcare providers and our medical team. I monitor and facilitate a great deal of our office’s patient outreach and communication, and work hard at fostering long-term relationships with our patients. I’m always working to ensure that patients feel actively involved in their care and decision-making processes, and I think they really appreciate that connection.
What are some of your favorite things about working in the Upper East Side neighborhood?
Kevin: Our office is on 60th between Park and Madison Avenue on the Upper East Side, and we’re deeply immersed in the charm of the neighborhood. The area is brimming with cafes and eateries of all types, which I definitely appreciate most around lunchtime. Additionally, Central Park is just a short distance away, providing our patients with the opportunity to enjoy a refreshing stroll amidst nature following their infusion sessions. We’re very fortunate to be located so close to such an iconic location.
Of course, if you’d prefer to be enveloped back into the vibrant energy of the city after an infusion, Fifth Avenue is right around the corner as well.
Christey: I agree with Kevin, I love the cute cafes and being so close to Central Park. There is a cafe right below our office called Le Bilboquet. It’s the best! We all love the coffee, pastries, and desserts down there. Actually, a lot of our patients have a ritual of going down there for a treat after their infusions.
Being a short walk from Central Park is really nice too. Sometimes, I’ll take walks through Central Park on my break or walk home through the park on a nice day. Central Park is so gorgeous, especially in the springtime when the cherry blossoms are blooming.
Yeah, you really cannot beat Central Park in the spring. Thank you both again for sitting down with me to chat. I know Mike, myself, and our patients all appreciate all your hard work. You both always go the extra mile, I’m so grateful to have you on our UES team!