Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS), southeastern Vermont’s community mental-health agency, held its annual meeting on Nov. 7 at the Great Hall in Springfield. Attended by approximately 120 board members, staff, clients, and community members.
The event highlighted the outcomes of the non-profit agency’s work during the past year.
Three guest speakers, all of whom have received services through HCRS, eloquently spoke of their challenges with mental illness, addiction, or disabilities and how HCRS has made a difference in their lives. At the end of these compelling presentations, the crowd gave an enthusiastic standing ovation in recognition of the bravery demonstrated by these individuals as they shared their private and very personal journeys of recovery.
Following the presentations, HCRS CEO George Karabakakis, Ph.D., with the assistance of G. Roland Ransom, Chief Human Resources Officer, handed out more than 50 staff awards for performance excellence as well as years of service.
Five Encore Awards were presented to staff who have gone above and beyond in demonstrating one or more of the Agency’s guiding values (Creativity, Integrity, Passion, Quality, Teamwork, Trust, and Wisdom). The winners are anonymously chosen by a representative group of staff as well as the agency’s Senior Leadership Team. The 2018 Encore Award recipients were: Adam Altshuler, Dawn Blom, Cuyler Cunningham, Nicole Godin, and Jennifer Marandino.
Service awards were presented to 51 employees who have a combined total of 430 years of service:
30 year service award: Anne Clark
25 year service award: Loriann Darrell
20 year service award: Drew Gradinger and Maris Noble
15 year service award: Cheryl Cavanagh, Karl Eno, Katie Gilcris, Joan Hooke, John Italia, and Sarah Jones
10 year service award: Kathryn Duncan, Mark Gebo, Gary Graff, Kathleen Lamphere, Jennifer Merrill, Lisa Rucker, Elizabeth Smith, and Brenda Stearman
5 year service award: Alina Abraham, Sarah Allain, Angela Bean, David Bingham, Paul Boutin, M.D., Scott Breedlove, Joshua Buchman, Donna Burns, Ailliea Carle, Rebecca Chrisinger, Todd Clark, Marissa Davis, Sharon Farnum Smart, Elizabeth Harris, Wayne Harvey, Karla Hill, Charlene Hjermstad, Lynn Huston, Gerda Lenselink, Lynn McCormick, M.D., Ciarra Monty, Aaron Morse, Lysa Mosca, Emily Mousel, Kristen Neuf, Brendan Nicholas, Lindsay Owens, Elaine Pierce, Christina Puffer, Mary Ruffing, Heidi Schroeder, Maura Shader, and Laura Schairbaum
Karabakakis notes, “We value our staff’s commitment to providing services and supports that help people lead healthy and meaningful lives. Our annual meeting provides us an opportunity to publicly recognize their efforts.”
Roger - No liberal bashing comments on this?
ReplyDelete2nd from the right....smash
ReplyDeleteHave to ask, who is the guy front center?
ReplyDeleteNo you did not have to ask. Are you a child?
DeleteJohn, he has been "cleaning" the building for 10 years.
Delete7:43 is a BIG loser.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteWow, people who might be thinking of moving here are getting an education today! I guess that video wasn't enough, was it? Wake up, Springfield, most people are disgusted by what they see and hear in this town!
ReplyDeleteYou only propagate that notation. I have heard this since the 80's. My ABNB gusts love Springfield. Unfortunately, where do you go to NOT see empty factories, it's every where.
Delete7:43 - Why must you ask? Why are you singling out John? You are the biggest loser EVER. You are a terrible representation of a human race.
ReplyDeleteAND how often do you want to punch someone in the nose (Referring to your 3:54 post that has been removed)? You obviously need anger management. Unfortunately you have an IQ issue too, but am afraid that is hopeless!
Ignorance is bliss and ignorance is selfish and mean. "maga"
Delete6.33 You are ONE MEAN demented person. Make all the assumptions you want. Guess you don't read very well. Do you spit fire?
Delete7:55 - It looks like 6:33 was only defending the weak from bullying. How is that demented? Or is it that you actually do not know meaning of demented? Sounds like you are vocabulary challenged and I am afraid there is no helping that!
DeleteWow, read 7.43 post on 11.23. They only politely ask a fair question. Then a bunch of you start calling names like "child" "loser". Are you bullies? 3.37 kindly answered. For some reason some of you got your BP up. Don't know why. Apparently you either work or attend (at) that place and are, for some unknown reason went bezerk.
ReplyDeleteYou wrote: "Have to ask, who is the guy front center?". I and many others took that as an obvious call out of someone how looks different and something that could be hurtful to John... like the person who wrote "cleaning" in quotes. Why go there? You were called a child because, kids stare at people how look different and make them feel uncomfortable.
DeleteIt has nothing to do with how "politely" you asked, you were still "staring", hence you where called out as a child. In my eyes, you were the bully, and I have zero tolerance for those how pick on others that can't defend themselves. Again, why did you ask and to what gain? Please convince me your questions was innocent and caring and not just plain mean.
From looking at him, I'd say that the bad haircut, the poorly fitting suit, and the bow tie make him stand out more than anything else. Why some people feel the need to dress and groom the developmentally handicapped to look out of place says more than someone noticing it. With a better haircut, a better suit, and a nicer tie, I'll bet no one would have said anything.
Delete12:03 - The important thing is that John looks proud to be wearing his suit. No need to pick on him.
Delete7.43 says that Stephen Hawking is my hero. And that is a fact Jack. It has nothing to do about "looks". As far as punching noses goes maybe BIGGER LOSER 1.56 is bigger than "weak" as 11.07 says they are. The article says HCRS CEO PHD George..., well maybe some thought that, now I know, John, may be him. So THERE, end of story. Thank you for answering my innocent question. Bezerkies.
DeleteI wrote cleaning in quotes because it is laughable at what he does. I see him and his COS walking around the building wiping counters, usually just before, or just after the actual person who cleans does.
DeleteHis "job" while probably satisfying to him, is pointless and just another way HCRS wastes their, I mean our money.
They also have a guy "firebug" who walks the parking lot picking up trash that gets paid. I talked with him a few months ago and he told me that his job was "easy money" and that he does it once a week. He usually gets a ride from staff.
I could go on and on but I need my cushy job here. HIPAA is watching
5:08, this site is a venting place for people who would otherwise be abusing family members. You have to appreciate the safety valve effect, unpleasant though it might be for Springfield's reputation....
ReplyDeleteChuck has to reference domestic violence or national politics daily or he doesn't sleep well.
DeleteChuck - 5:08 threatened to punch someone in the nose and his comment was removed. I do not condone violence or picking on the weak.
DeleteI take it you meant 3:54 made the threat?
DeleteWhere are the men, I only see 4.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are challenged by women. Is that a religious thing where the bible places men first? Personally, as a man, I like and respect women a lot. What's your point? Are you a "maga" man? That would help me understand your post and point of view.
DeleteBanooye Emarat
ReplyDelete