Cheryl Bedard has been instrumental in moving Spectrum Health Systems and the New England Recovery Center forward since she joined the organization in 2015. Today, we wanted to introduce her to you and shine a light on her important role.
- How long have you been with Spectrum Health Systems?
I have been here since July 2015. Currently, I am the Regional Business Development Liaison, but I started as a part-time employee in patient accounts. Within a few weeks, my role expanded to include working in admissions and I quickly became a full-time employee.
- How did you hear about Spectrum Health Systems?
A friend of mine working here told me what a great place it was to work, and that it might be a nice fit for my background and interests.
- What drew you to the addictions field?
Prior to joining Spectrum Health Systems, I had spent years working in corporate finance, and then many years in sales and business development. In more recent years, I was finding myself drawn to healthcare. The addiction field felt like a perfect fit due to the current crisis. I wanted to help and work directly with those impacted.
- Why did you choose this new role?
Once in Admissions, my background in finance and sales started to shine through and business development seemed like the next logical step. I am very thankful for my trajectory, because I had the opportunity to learn the business from the ground up.
- What does your role entail?
My responsibilities include meeting with families, other facilities, law enforcement agencies, courts, hospitals, insurance companies and more, in communities throughout New England. I provide them with education and customer support for services offered throughout our full continuum of care. I also look at the numbers, analyzing client and industry patterns to enable us to identify our strengths and areas for improvement. We continually strive to be the best that we can be. - What is your favorite part of your job?
Addiction touches all borders, and there are a lot of different ways to get involved. I most enjoy helping others — working with the families and those struggling with addiction, helping them understand the disease and educating them on our services so they can reclaim their lives and achieve recovery.
