Nicole Orlando Smith Discusses Her Return to Spectrum
Nicole Orlando Smith applied for a role at Spectrum Health Systems on a whim in 2014. She had comprehensive experience working in mental health—addressing issues like depression and anxiety after earning a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling with a focus on trauma—but she had no direct experience in addiction recovery. “I was very green, ...
Spectrum Health Systems Announces Changes to 2023 Board of Directors
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., a longtime not-for-profit organization providing a comprehensive continuum of addiction treatment throughout Massachusetts, announced today the appointment of Thomas Turco, former secretary to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, to its board of directors, and Cheryl Gallant, vice president of Human Resources at Coghlin Companies, Inc., as board ...
The White House Hopes to Curb Overdoses by Unveiling New Dashboard
Last month, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy unveiled a new data dashboard in partnership with the National Highway Safety Administration to track non-fatal opioid overdoses. The dashboard uses a map to display Emergency Medical Services (EMS) data collected in each state and U.S. territory. The effort is aligned with President Biden’s ...
A Letter from Our President: Kurt Isaacson Reflects on 2022
2022 was an interesting year in healthcare. With much of the world finding its footing in the ‘new normal,’ providers were hard at work continuing to keep clients and patients safe while deciding which pandemic-era policies and practices were here to stay, and which could be discontinued. This was no easy feat, and the entire ...
Spectrum Health Systems’ Chief Medical Officer Receives Award for Outstanding Contributions to Opioid Treatment
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., a longtime not-for-profit organization providing a comprehensive continuum of addiction treatment throughout Massachusetts, and a range of recidivism reduction programming for justice-involved individuals throughout the country is pleased to announce that the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD) has awarded Dr. Jeffrey Baxter, Chief Medical Officer at Spectrum ...
Get to Know Lisa Blanchard, Chief Clinical Officer
With a background in both the clinical and administrative sides of behavioral health care, Lisa Blanchard knows that making treatment accessible is key to affecting positive change amid the addiction epidemic. It’s a philosophy that she embodies in her role as Chief Clinical Officer at Spectrum Health Systems, where she works to design programming and ...
Spectrum Health Systems Appoints Alicia Hashey and Athena Haddon to Key Leadership Roles
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., a not-for-profit organization providing a comprehensive continuum of addiction treatment throughout Massachusetts, announced two new hires today, continuing the growth of its leadership team. Athena Haddon re-joins the team as Executive Director of Peer Services and Recovery Support, and Alicia Hashey comes on board as Controller for the accounting department. “I’m ...
Nicole Orlando Smith Discusses Her Return to Spectrum
Nicole Orlando Smith applied for a role at Spectrum Health Systems on a whim in 2014. She had comprehensive experience working in mental health—addressing issues like depression and anxiety after earning a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling with a focus on trauma—but she had no direct experience in addiction recovery. “I was very green, ...
Spectrum Health Systems Announces Changes to 2023 Board of Directors
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., a longtime not-for-profit organization providing a comprehensive continuum of addiction treatment throughout Massachusetts, announced today the appointment of Thomas Turco, former secretary to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, to its board of directors, and Cheryl Gallant, vice president of Human Resources at Coghlin Companies, Inc., as board ...
The White House Hopes to Curb Overdoses by Unveiling New Dashboard
Last month, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy unveiled a new data dashboard in partnership with the National Highway Safety Administration to track non-fatal opioid overdoses. The dashboard uses a map to display Emergency Medical Services (EMS) data collected in each state and U.S. territory. The effort is aligned with President Biden’s ...
Jeannie Saunders Reflects on Leaving—and Coming Back—to Spectrum
Coming from a billing background in the healthcare industry, Jeannie Saunders first joined Spectrum Health Systems in 2016. She had been unsatisfied with her previous position and a friend that worked at Spectrum had encouraged her to apply. Jeannie followed the recommendation, and the next thing she knew, she was starting at Spectrum as a ...
Get to Know Jonathan Miller, Chief Information Officer
For the last two decades, Jonathan Miller has worked to develop IT systems for nonprofits in the healthcare space. Now serving as Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Spectrum Health Systems, Jonathan’s critical role has been to oversee the management and execution of the organization's information technology strategy. Before joining the Spectrum team, Jonathan worked for ...
Get to Know Damaris Diaz, Spectrum’s Credentialing Manager
Based in Worcester, MA, Damaris Diaz has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She’s a diligent worker and life-long learner, but her most defining characteristic is her genuine interest in helping people find the help they need. It’s this combination of traits that makes her such a great fit for our Compliance ...
From Medical Records Clerk to Rising Licensed Practical Nurse
We’re proud to introduce Carmen Villanueva, a Skilled Nursing Facility Recovery Support Navigator with Spectrum Health Systems. A Worcester resident, Carmen worked as a personal care assistant for years, visiting clients, mostly seniors, in their homes to administer care. Personal care assistants play an important role in healthcare, but work schedules can be inconsistent for ...
National Recovery Month: Rapid Access Treatment Program
This year’s National Recovery Month theme is recovery is for all. While there are still several barriers to treatment access for those battling addiction, one of the most prevalent might just be the inability to access help precisely when an individual is ready to pursue recovery - a window of willingness that can be fleeting. ...
National Recovery Month: Everyday Miracles, Peer Recovery Support
This year’s National Recovery Month theme is Recovery is for Everyone: Every Person, Every Family, Every Community. Recovery for all requires meeting individuals where they are, without judgement, and providing well-rounded resources and outlets for support. Addiction is a life-long disease, which means that for most, successful long-term recovery relies on sustained engagement in treatment ...
