Regional Mental Health Service Awards Program 2009

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Stark Center 3903 Indianapolis Blvd.

East Chicago, Indiana 46312 219-398-7050 Strawhun Center 8555 Taft Street Merrillville, Indiana 46410 219-769-4005

Together We’re Better - July 1, 2009 www.regionalmentalhealth.org

Annual Staff Service Awards

November 6, 2009 12:00 o’clock noon

Halls of St. George 905 East Joliet Street Schererville, Indiana

Clinical Service Directors James Berman, Forensic Diversion Michael Cortina, Outpatient Services South Helen Daehnke, Rehabilitative Services Sarah Dross, Training Angela Erb, Outpatient Services North Jennifer Gescheidler, Schools Programs Zagorka James, Child and Adolescent Intensive Services Denise Ladowicz, Adult Case Management Stan Ladowicz, Residential Services Jake Messing, Adult Acute Intensive Services Scott Siegall, Associate Medical Director Sheryl Stapinski, Child and Adolescent Case Management

Operating Department Supervisors Sharon Bainbridge, Clerical Services Jeanette Carter, Dietary Monique Daniel, Transportation Marcia Eilers, General Services Robert Hisson, Plant Services

Board of Directors Daniel Klein, President Julie Glade, Vice-President Sandra Bapple, Secretary/Treasurer Mary Beth Bonaventura Ronald Borto Bernard Carter John Czulno Edmund Gunn Donald Levinson Connie Manous Charles Nagy Sava Pavkovich Leslie Rittenmeyer David Sikes

Welcome to Regional Mental Health Center’s Annual Staff Service Awards The Afternoon’s Schedule Salutation Sharon Kraus Chief Clinical Officer and Sherry Oman Chief Operating Officer

Lunch Service

Donna Stath

Presentation of Service Awards Regional Mental Health Center Executive Staff Robert D. Krumwied President/Chief Executive Officer John Kern, Chief Medical Officer Sharon Kraus, Chief Clinical Officer Sherry Oman, Chief Operating Officer Angela Comsa, Clinical Director, Child & Adolescent Services Ed Gurauskas, Clinical Director of Adult Services

Clinical Service Directors and Operating Supervisors

Closing Robert D. Krumwied President/Chief Executive Officer

Congratulations again to all of the wonderful staff honored here today.

Honorees

Regional Mental Health Center

Regional Mental Health Center would not be a success without your dedication and hard work.

Thank you for caring and for making a difference in the communities we serve.

5 Years Service Gary Ronjak Staff Social Worker, Forensic Diversion Program Mr. Ronjak started his employment on November 9, 1979 as a Mental Health Technician on the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit.

On May 18, 1981 he as advanced to Forensic Services at Lake County Jail as a Crisis Intervention Specialist, where he was promoted to Clinician II on June 10, 1988. From April 2 to May 7, 1990 Mr. Ronjak was Acting Director of Forensic Services. June 25, 1992 brought another advancement to Staff Social Worker. Mr. Ronjak became the Coordinator of Behavioral Health Services at Lake County Jail on February 7, 2007, then on July 7, 2007 he received the title of Coordinator of the Forensic Diversion Program. Since November 24, 2008, Mr. Ronjak has been a Staff Social Worker for the Forensic Diversion Program.

Dr. Manuel Ozoa Psychiatrist, Medical Services, Stark Center

Dr. Ozoa returned to the Mental Health Center on August 23, 2004 as the psychiatrist for the Aftercare Department at the Stark Building. Shortly thereafter he began providing care with the Assertive Community Treatment Team as well.

Dominga Camarillo Custodian, Housekeeping, Stark Center

Ms. Camarillo has been employed as a custodian in the Housekeeping Department at the Stark Building since March 22, 2004.

Peter Piazza Driver, Transportation, Strawhun Center

Stanley Ladowicz Service Director, Residential Services March 7, 1989 marked the inception of Mr. Ladowicz’s career at the Center, as a Therapist for the Caring Place, a domestic violence program. On August 3, 1981 he was transferred to the Adult Day Treatment Program, where he was promoted to Supervisor on May 3, 1985. Mr. Ladowicz was again promoted on May 25, 1987 to Chief of Transitional Services, where he remained until February 22, 1993 when he was advanced to Director of Case Management Services.

On June 6, 1999 another promotion came, this time to Director of Community Assistance.

When the Agencies merged on July 1, 2009, Mr. Ladowicz became the Service Director of Residential Services.

On May 10, 2004 Mr. Piazza began working at the Center as a Driver.

Timothy Hawkins Building Manager, Bell Tower

Mr. Hawkins was originally hired as a Maintenance Worker on October 26, 2004. He moved to Food Services as a Food Service Technician on November 7, 2005. A promotion to Building Manager at Bell Tower occurred on August 5, 2007.

Jon Porter Building Manager, Water Tower East

On November 29, 2004 Mr. Porter was hired as the Building Manager for Water Tower East.

Carrie Wolfe Emergency Services Specialist, Emergency Services, Strawhun Center The Emergency Services Department hired Ms. Wolfe on December 13, 2004 as an Emergency Services Specialist.

Nikki Pavlides Registered Nurse, Inpatient Psychiatric Services April 12, 2004 marked the beginning of Ms. Pavlides career with the Center as a Staff nurse on the Inpatient Unit.

25 Years Service Marguerit Viteri Registered Nurse Inpatient Psychiatric Services Ms. Viteri has spent her entire tenure at the Agency, beginning on July 23, 1984, as a Nurse on the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit.

Marzena Rajkowski Mental Health Technician, Inpatient Psychiatric Services Ms. Rajkowski was hired on July 24, 2004 as a Mental Health Technician for the Inpatient Unit.

30 Years Service

Karen Shrader

Mary Havens

Registered Nurse, Inpatient Psychiatric Services On July 6, 2004 the Center employed Ms. Shrader as a Staff Nurse for Forensic Services at the Lake County Jail. She transferred to the Inpatient Unit on September 7, 2005.

Activity/Recreational Therapist Inpatient Psychiatric Services On November 1, 1979 Ms. Havens began her vocation at the Center as a Recreational Therapist in the Activity Services Department of the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit.

She was advanced to Activity Therapist on January 25, 1993, then became supervisor of Activity Services on March 1, 1999.

Since July 1, 2006 Ms. Havens has been an Activity/Recreational Therapist.

Patrick Barry Addiction Tcchnician, Residential Substance Abuse Services Mr. Barry restarted employment with the Center on September 7, 2004 as an Addiction Technician for Residential Substance Abuse.

James Berman Service Director, Contracted Clinical Services Mr. Berman began employment on August 2, 2004 as the Coordinator of Forensic Diversion. On October 1, 2006 he was promoted to Director of Contracted Clinical Services.

Thomas Zygmunt Therapist 1, Adult Day Treatment Strawhun Center On August 20, 1989 Mr. Zygmunt was rehired as a Mental Health Technician on the Inpatient Psychiatric Unit. He was promoted to Therapist I for Adult Day Treatment on December 6, 1982, then again promoted on October 13, 1986. to Therapist II for that program.

Robert Rajewski

Deborah Hunter

Psychologist,Merrillville Outpatient Services Dr. Rajewski began his career with the Center on January 16, 1989 when he was hired as a Psychologist for Outpatient Services. He was promoted to Supervisor of the Schererville Office on February 20, 1992. Due to restructuring, on February 1, 1998 Dr. Rajewski relinquished supervisory duties and returned to Outpatient Psychologist for the Schererville Office . He moved to the Merrillville location when the Schererville site closed on October 16, 2006.

Addiction Technician, Forensic Diversion Program September 13, 2004 marked the inception of Ms. Hunter’s employment as an Addiction Technician for the Forensic Diversion Program.

Diane Fedak Life Skills Group Therapist Adult Day Treatment, Stark Center Since June 26, 1989 Ms. Fedak has been in the Adult Day Treatment Program. She was promoted from an Activity Therapist to a Life Skills Group Therapist on October 21, 1991.

Judith Davis Secretary, Rose Child and Family Services The Consultation and Education Department hired Ms. Davis as a Secretary on February 6, 1989. She transferred to Clinical Services on August 4, 2003. July 1, 2008 brought a transfer to Community Support. Ms. Davis then moved to Rose Child and Family Services as Secretary on July 6, 2009.

Robert D. Krumwied President/Chief Executive Officer, Regional Mental Health Center Mr. Krumwied began his career at the agency on July 10, 1989 when he became the CEO of Tri-City Mental Health Center. Spurred by the retirement of the President of Southlake Center for Mental Health, on December 10, 2007 he took on the role of President of Southlake, also. Thus, when the two Centers merged on July 1, 2009, Mr. Krumwied became the President/CEO of Regional Mental Health Center.

Harry Pointer Psychiatric Technician Elizabeth House On July 6, 2004 Mr. Pointer was hired again by the Center as a Psychiatric Technician for Elizabeth House.

Ted Studebaker Therapist 2 Northlake Outpatient Services January 12, 2004 marked the inception of Mr. Studebaker’s employment as a Therapist II at Northlake Outpatient Services.

Anthony Pellegrini Supervisor, Adult Day Treatment Stark Center Therapist II for Day Treatment was the position Mr. Pellegrini was hired for on October 4, 2004.

He was promoted to supervisor of this department on November 19, 2007.

Terrence Jamison Therapist 1, Adult Day Treatment Stark Center Mr. Jamison was hired on April 12, 2004 as a Psychiatric Technician for Phoenix House.

On October 23, 2006 he was promoted and transferred to Adult Day Treatment as a Therapist I.

Suzanne Albright Therapist 2, Assertive Community Treatment Strawhun Center Beginning on November 8, 2004, Ms. Albright has been a Therapist II on the Assertive Community Treatment Team.

Laura Moseng Supervisor, Assertive Community Treatment Team Strawhun Center Dr. Moseng began employment as the Assertive Community Treatment Team Supervisor on August 9, 2004.

20 Years Service Nancy Brodner Executive Assistant to the Medical Director February 1, 1989 was the beginning of Ms. Brodner’s tenure with the Agency. She was a Clerical Relief Worker in the Clerical Materials Department until August 31, 1989 when she was promoted to Secretary in the Challenge Program. On April 26, 1996 Ms. Brodner moved to the Schererville Outpatient Office, until she was promoted to Secretary for Medical Services on April 7, 1997. Since July 1, 2009 she’s been the Executive Assistant to the Medical Director.

Robert Hisson

Danielle Lajic Case Manager, Team North On February 9, 2004 Ms. Lajic began her career as a Case Manager for Team North.

Benjamin Leon Clinician 3 Child and Adolescent Day Treatment December 13, 2004 was the beginning of Dr. Leon’s tenure at the Center, where he was a Therapist for the Assertive Community Treatment team. From June 5, 2006 on he has been with the Child and Adolescent Day Treatment Program, where he currently is a Clinician III.

Supervisor, Plant Services Mr. Hisson began working at the Center on October 9, 1989 as the Supervisor of the General Services Department.

On July 1, 2009 he became the Supervisor of Plant Services.

Pamela Gipson Psychiatric Technician, Frederick Apartments On February 20, 1989 Ms. Gipson began employment as a Child Care Counselor at Phoenix House adolescent residential facility. She became the Secretary for that program on January 2, 1990. Since December 16, 1991 Ms. Gipson has been a Psychiatric Technician for Frederick Apartments.

Shirley Rainford Mental Health Technician, The Residence The Residence has employed Ms. Rainford as a Mental Health Technician since December 20, 1989.

Trina Mendoza

10 Years of Service

Executive Assistant Adult Day Treatment, Stark Center Ms. Mendoza was hired as a Receptionist in the Executive Director’s Office on December 19, 1994. She became a floating Secretary on October 27, 1997.

On May 4, 1998 Ms. Mendoza was promoted to an Executive Assistant for the East Chicago Outpatient Program. She transferred to Lakeside Counseling Center on August 30, 1999, then to Adult Day Treatment on May 26, 2003.

Administrative Assistant, Clerical Department Ms. Padilla was hired on May 3, 1999 a Secretary for Northlake Counseling Services. She transferred to the Executive Director’s Office on April 10, 2000, where she currently is an Administrative Assistant.

Helen Daehnke

Case Manager Inpatient Psychiatric Services The Emergency Services Department hired Ms. Howard on October 28, 1999 as a Crisis Intervention Specialist.

She was promoted to a Case Manager for Inpatient Services on July 1, 2001.

Service Director , Rehabilitative Services January 31, 1994 began Ms. Daehnke’s career at the Center.

She was initially the Supervisor of Stepping Stone. On August 5, 2002 Ms. Daehnke was promoted to Aftercare Specialist. Supervisor of Day Treatment and Supported Employment was her next promotion on March 3, 2008.

Ms. Daehnke was again promoted on July 1, 2009 to Service Director of Rehabilitative Services.

Laura Padilla

Rashelle Howard

Marilyn Appel Executive Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer On May 3, 1999 Ms. Appel began employment with the Center as an Administrative Assistant for Clinical Administration. She was promoted to Executive Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer on January 27, 2008

Gladys DMello Therapist 2 Adult Day Treatment, Strawhun Center Ms. DMello was hired on April 5, 1994 as a Clinician I in the Adult Day Treatment Program. On February 10, 1997, she was promoted to a Therapist II.

Melinda Griggs Residential Assistant Pathway Since June 7, 1999 Ms. Griggs has been a Residential Assistant at Pathway.

15 Years Service Angel Alvarez Residential Assistant The Residence On November 25, 1999 Mr. Alvarez was hired as a Residential Assistant at Stepping Stone. He transferred to The Residence on February 14, 2005.

Susan Breymeyer Therapist 3 Outpatient Services, Strawhun Center Case Manager in Adult Day Treatment was Ms. Breymeyer’s first position when she was hired on December 27, 1999. A promotion to Addiction Therapist in the Intensive Addiction Program occurred on May 1, 2001. On May 30, 2004 she transferred to Outpatient Services at the Strawhun Center where she is a Therapist III.

Karen Muirhead Therapist 2 Child and Adolescent Schools Program Ms . Muirhead has been a Therapist II for the Child and Adolescent Schools Program since August 16, 1999

Peggy Nichols Therapist 2 Child and Adolescent Schools Program April 26, 1999 marked the beginning of Ms. Nichols’ career as a Therapist II in the Child and Adolescent Schools Program.

Margaret Stephen Driver, Transportation, Strawhun Center On May 24, 1994 Ms. Stephen began employment as a Housekeeper in Plant Services. October 6, 2003 she Was promoted to Supervisor of the Transportation Department. Since March 21, 2007 she has been a Driver.

Tina Phillips Case Manager Inpatient Psychiatric Services Ms. Phillips was hired as a Community Assistant Specialist on June 28, 1994. She was promoted to a Case Manager position on the Inpatient Unit on May 29, 2005.

Beverly Calligan Nurse Practitioner Medical Services September 2, 1994 marked the inception of Ms. Calligan’s tenure as a Nurse Practitioner for Medical Services.

Katrina Badovinac Administrative Assistant Outpatient Substance Abuse Services On September 12, 1994 Ms. Badovinac began employment as a Secretary for Outpatient Substance Abuse. She transferred to the Residential Substance Abuse Program on February 5, 1996, but returned to Outpatient Substance Abuse with a promotion as an Administrative Assistant on June 26, 1997.