Blog: News & Views from the Field

Earlier this year we announced Andrew Salmon's appointment to Board Chair. We recently sat down with Andrew to get to know him better and learn about his perspectives on Spectrum as well as his vision for the future.

Throughout all of our programs, Spectrum Health Systems has a strong and tightknit workforce. This is especially true for our Recovery Support Navigators, who work directly with inmates as they break through the walls of drug and alcohol addiction and reclaim their lives. Program Director, Stacy Desnoyers, opens up about her career path, its challenges and rewards, and her fantastic team.

People seeking addiction treatment often face barriers to obtaining the help they need, including a simple lack of knowledge about where to go and what treatment options are available. Many find themselves at emergency rooms, and while sometimes this is necessary, it is always better to seek help from addiction specialists unless it’s an emergency.

2020 has been a whirlwind for all of us, but especially for nurses. In recognition of the incredible work nurses do – and in honor of the 200^th anniversary of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale – the World Health Organization has declared 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse.

For 51 years, Spectrum Health Systems has worked tirelessly to provide state-of-the-art, modern, and effective treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. Today, we are excited to announce that Spectrum’s opiate treatment programs (OTPs) now accept Medicare Part B insurance.

Our nursing staff is at the heart of treatment here at Spectrum, always going above and beyond to care for clients, run programs, and respond to emergencies. In celebration of National Nurses Month, we’re highlighting Kelly Field, the Inpatient Nursing Supervisor at our Westborough, Massachusetts campus, to get a closer look at the amazing work that she and all of our nurses do year-round.

We’ve been talking a lot about the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic: the frustration of not being able to go out, the difficulty in trying to get certain items, and the simple boredom of being trapped inside day after day. But what we haven’t talked about is the fear and anxiety of everyday life and how we’re all coping with the stress and enormous change in our daily routines. Many people are turning to alcohol to help cope with the uncertainty of the pandemic. Whether or not you’re in recovery, this is a dangerous road to go down, and drinking to excess does nothing to address the underlying issues at play.

One of the most important tools for addiction recovery are support group sessions, where people can come together to work through their problems with others in similar situations. Many individuals in recovery rely on peer recovery centers for ongoing support and help in maintaining their recovery. Even after being forced to temporarily close their physical doors due to COVID-19, Everyday Miracles in downtown Worcester is doing everything possible to support clients and keep its community together.

When the novel coronavirus hit the nation, our everyday lives were turned upside down – and for good reason. All of us hold a responsibility to flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19 by staying home and only leaving the house for essential reasons.

We have so many talented and dedicated employees at Spectrum Health Systems, and we want to make sure that we take the time to express our gratitude and highlight all of the amazing work they do for our clients. Today, we share a conversation with our Family Engagement Specialist Ronald Burgess.