Worcester, MA – November 15, 2016 – The Commonwealth’s top lawyer, Attorney General Maura Healey, praised Spectrum Health Systems during its recent annual meeting held on Oct. 13 at The Beechwood Hotel in Worcester. Nearly 100 Spectrum leaders, employees, former clients, and local and state government officials gathered for the meeting which highlighted Spectrum’s innovative work in helping people overcome addiction, and provided an opportunity to celebrate the profound impact the nonprofit organization has had on communities not only in Massachusetts, but across the country.
“You help people rebuild, you give them a second chance, and that’s why resources matter now more than ever,” said Healey.
Representatives from Spectrum’s out-of-state operations in Virginia, Tennessee, Washington, Georgia and Rhode Island also attended the annual meeting as did two former clients who spoke about their addiction to opiates and subsequent recovery.
“I was a broken soul,” said one former client, whose dependence started when he was prescribed Percocet for a sports injury. From there his addiction spiraled, he said, noting that “my uncle was happy to introduce me to OxyContin at the age of 20.” He subsequently lost everything, and on Christmas Eve 2006, he appeared at Spectrum’s Westborough campus on Oak Street, where he was admitted immediately.
“My life forever changed that day,” he said with a deep appreciation of his current lifestyle, which includes a wife and 18-month-old son. “Ten years ago this life was so far from my imagination, and Spectrum is near and dear to my heart.”
In a presentation to attendees, Spectrum’s President and CEO, Kurt Isaacson, noted the 2016 accomplishments of the 47-year-old organization. One of the year’s more significant achievements was the opening of two Massachusetts outpatient treatment centers in North Adams (225 clients) and Leominster (386 clients).
“These are outstanding facilities,” said Isaacson, noting that the effort is not for the faint at heart. “It takes guts to open these centers, and we have a great team that can make these happen.”
Isaacson also noted significant achievements this year, namely:
- The opening of the Charles J. Faris Recovery Center, a new 100-bed, 40,000 square-foot residential addiction treatment facility on Spectrum’s Westborough campus named after the longtime Spectrum CEO who retired this year.
- The initiation of five Department of Corrections Outpatient and Intensive Outpatient programs in Washington state.
- The debut of a weekly radio program called Airing Addiction with Spectrum’s Vice President, Donna Pellegrino, which airs on Sundays at 10 a.m. on WTAG 580/94.9 and is available for streaming on their website.
See the images from the event on our Facebook page.
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About Spectrum Health Systems
Based in Worcester, Mass. and founded in 1969, Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. is a private, nonprofit substance abuse and mental health treatment provider. Spectrum offers the largest and most complete continuum of addiction treatment in New England — including inpatient detoxification, residential rehabilitation, outpatient services, medication-assisted treatment and peer recovery support. For more information, please visit www.spectrumhealthsystems.org.
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