Another year has come to a close and a new door is about to open. Whether you’re currently in treatment, recovery or active addiction, the new year is a fresh start for all of us.
Please join us in looking back at 2019 and celebrating several important milestones that occurred at Spectrum.
Expanding access to addiction treatment
As Spectrum celebrated its 50th anniversary, President & CEO Kurt Isaacson vowed that we would serve 500,000 more people by 2025. Recognizing that many obstacles exist for people seeking treatment, we continue to look for ways to improve access to Spectrum’s comprehensive continuum of care.
In 2018, Spectrum partnered with four other local providers to form the Behavioral Health Partners of MetroWest. A year later, this community partnership provides integrated care coordination and behavioral health services to the state’s highest risk individuals.
Expanding access to care also means allowing for same-day admissions, particularly for those seeking medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Spectrum launched the Collaborative and Transitional Treatment program earlier this year at 25 Pleasant Street in Worcester. Funded by the Bureau of Substance Addiction Services, this innovative program serves as an intake hub, providing rapid access to MAT for individuals with opioid use disorders.
This fall, we partnered with Milford Regional Medical Center to provide immediate access to MAT through emergency department referrals. Patients of MRMC are now referred to our outpatient treatment center at 200 Main Street in Milford for same-day evaluations, MAT and ongoing addiction treatment.
Lastly, we were awarded a new contract by the Essex County Sheriff’s Department. With this contract, we’re now operating a variety of programs for inmates and detainees under the County’s supervision, including an 80-bed residential treatment program, two 28-day intensive treatment programs, specialized programming for women at the Women in Transition Center, outpatient treatment at three local community corrections centers and a pre-release and re-entry center.
Demonstrated recovery success
This year, we helped thousands of people reclaim their lives and build a strong foundation for sustained recovery. Check out some of this year’s most incredible client stories:
Jeffrey Born: “I didn’t know what I was walking into, but with Spectrum, it was the best thing that ever happened to me without a doubt.”
Casey Carrozza: “The versatility of the Peer Recovery Program is amazing. Having someone from the outside who believes in you so much and wants to see you well makes a huge difference.”
Tyler: “My social worker at NERC (a subsidiary of Spectrum Health Systems) was really what was most helpful and effective for me. She acknowledged that I had said I would do anything to stay sober, and she certainly matched me on that promise.”
Jesse Chaison: “No matter what your situation is, you’re not too far gone. You can get help.”
New staff, promotions, and expanding our psychiatric practice
This year, we continued to expand our psychiatry practice by welcoming Dr. Qaiser Khan, a champion in psychiatric care and medication-assisted treatment, and Matthew Bock, DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC, a psychiatric nurse practitioner.
Our Board of Trustees also welcomed Dr. James Celestin – an expert in interventional pain management.
One of our most notable promotions this year was Mark Brown, who became Executive Director of Adolescent and Peer Services.
Four of our valued employees also celebrated their 20-year anniversaries with Spectrum this year: Barbara Tingley, Lisa Blanchard, Earl Warren, and Carole Palaima have all dedicated decades to our organization. It takes a strong team to help those seeking recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.
A few more things
Our friends at NexDine generously renovated our kitchen at the Westborough Treatment Campus. This $80,000 renovation created a beautiful space for our clients to nourish themselves with healthy food. Speaking of extreme home makeovers, our Peer Recovery Centers also celebrated some beautiful renovations this year!
Spectrum’s 18th Annual Charity Golf Tournament raised $65,000 on a beautiful September day as our staff and partners hit the links at the Worcester Country Club. Check out our Facebook album for all of the fun!
At the New England Recovery Center, we hosted our first Shatterproof Family Program. Hosted and instructed by Norah Lasorsa, Clinical Supervisor of our Young Adult Residential Program, this full-day course offered understanding, comfort and hope for families affected by addiction. More of these courses are in the works for 2020 – stay tuned!
We also hosted an incredible panel event in partnership with Regis College. Students gathered to learn about addiction treatment, behavioral health and career options.
Lastly, we introduced pet therapy at the New England Recovery Center in partnership with Tufts Paws for People, an animal-assisted intervention group from Tufts University and Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine.
2019 has been an incredible year!
As always, if you or a loved one is struggling with drug and/or alcohol addiction, call us today at 1-877-MyRehab.
