April is Alcohol Awareness Month – A Time for Understanding and Healing
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding and reducing the stigma surrounding alcohol addiction. This month highlights the dangers of alcohol misuse and provides resources to seek help. The Prevalence of Alcohol Misuse in the U.S. The numbers are staggering. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive ...
Creating Space for Addiction Recovery Support
Seeing a loved one struggle with substance use can be heartbreaking and confusing. You may want to help but are unsure how to approach the conversation. Creating a safe and supportive space for open communication is a crucial first step in getting them the help they need. Is There a Problem? Warning Signs of Substance ...
Women in Recovery: A Spotlight on Kim Patterson
Kim Patterson's story is an inspiring testament to the power of human resilience. Her path through addiction recovery has equipped her with a profound understanding of substance use disorder (SUD) and a fierce dedication to empowering women on their own journeys to healing. From Struggles to Strength Kim's experiences with SUD began at a young ...
Spectrum Health Systems Awarded Contract with Middlesex Sheriff’s Office
Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., a not-for-profit organization providing a comprehensive continuum of addiction treatment throughout Massachusetts and a range of programming for justice-involved individuals throughout the country, has been awarded a new contract by the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO) to serve individuals at risk for recidivism. “In addition to our long-standing relationship with the Massachusetts ...
Observing Youth Substance Use Prevention Month
When young people are growing and developing, it's crucial that they understand the risks life can present to them. Not only are they having formative experiences that could impact them well into their adulthood, but their brains are also still in critical phases of development, making them vulnerable to the risks they take and the ...
Celebrating Graduates and Alumni
At Spectrum and NERC, nothing is more important to us than the success of our clients. The people that pass through our programs and go on to find health and happiness are living proof that recovery is possible. The example they set is crucial to the recovery community, supporting and inspiring others along their own ...
National Recovery Month: The Impact of Peer Recovery Centers
Peer recovery centers are crucial to the recovery community, serving as safe meeting places where people in all walks of recovery can both give and receive support. At these free centers, individuals participate in recovery meetings, find parenting and employment resources, learn helpful skills like anger management and financial planning, attend yoga and mindfulness classes, ...
April is Alcohol Awareness Month – A Time for Understanding and Healing
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing understanding and reducing the stigma surrounding alcohol addiction. This month highlights the dangers of alcohol misuse and provides resources to seek help. The Prevalence of Alcohol Misuse in the U.S. The numbers are staggering. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive ...
Creating Space for Addiction Recovery Support
Seeing a loved one struggle with substance use can be heartbreaking and confusing. You may want to help but are unsure how to approach the conversation. Creating a safe and supportive space for open communication is a crucial first step in getting them the help they need. Is There a Problem? Warning Signs of Substance ...
Women in Recovery: A Spotlight on Kim Patterson
Kim Patterson's story is an inspiring testament to the power of human resilience. Her path through addiction recovery has equipped her with a profound understanding of substance use disorder (SUD) and a fierce dedication to empowering women on their own journeys to healing. From Struggles to Strength Kim's experiences with SUD began at a young ...
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 ...
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. ...
