Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. Welcomes New Chief Operating Officer
Worcester, MA, December 19, 2016 - Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., New England’s leading addiction treatment provider, announced today that is has appointed Sherry Ellis as the organization’s chief operating officer. Ms. Ellis assumes the position left vacant when former COO Kurt Isaacson became Spectrum’s president and CEO on July 1, 2016, upon the retirement of Charles Faris.
Spectrum Health Systems’ Airing Addiction Podcast on Substance Abuse and Recovery Debuts on iTunes and SoundCloud
WORCESTER, MASS., December 5, 2016 – Spectrum Health Systems, a longtime nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a comprehensive continuum of evidenced-based treatment to help people overcome substance and opioid addiction, will launch Airing Addiction, a weekly educational and inspirational podcast on addiction and recovery, internationally on iTunes and SoundCloud today.
Massachusetts Attorney General Commends Spectrum Health’s Mission
Worcester, MA – November 15, 2016 – The Commonwealth’s top lawyer, Attorney General Maura Healey, praised Spectrum Health Systems during its recent annual meeting held on Oct. 13 at The Beechwood Hotel in Worcester. Nearly 100 Spectrum leaders, employees, former clients, and local and state government officials gathered for the meeting which highlighted Spectrum’s innovative work in helping people overcome addiction, and provided an opportunity to celebrate the profound impact the nonprofit organization has had on communities not only in Massachusetts, but across the country.
Spectrum’s Peer Mentoring Program Recognized by the U.S. Attorney’s Office at the New England Reentry Conference
Worcester, MA – November 14, 2016 – On November 1st, Spectrum’s State Director of MA Correctional Services Earl Warren presented at the New England Reentry Conference, a first-of-its-kind gathering of federal reentry professionals from across the region, held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston. The conference was organized by the six New England United States Attorneys to highlight regional initiatives that are improving outcomes for returning citizens. Spectrum was asked to participate in a plenary discussion of federal reentry grant programs by U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts Carmen Ortiz.
Spectrum’s 15th Annual Charity Golf Classic Raises Nearly $70,000 for Addiction Treatment
Worcester, MA – November 10, 2016 – Spectrum Health Systems, the largest private non-profit substance abuse and mental health treatment provider in New England, hosted its 15th Annual Charity Golf Classic on Monday, October 3 at the Framingham Country Club. Nearly 125 golfers participated in the event, raising $68,593 in support of Spectrum’s continuum of addiction treatment services.
Lisa Blanchard of Spectrum Health Systems Receives Emerging Leader Award
WORCESTER, Mass. – November 8, 2016 – Lisa Blanchard, MA, LMHC, executive director of outpatient operations for Worcester’s Spectrum Health Systems, the largest private non-profit substance abuse and mental health treatment provider in New England and resident of Paxton, Mass., was honored for her outstanding contributions in behavioral healthcare with the Association of Behavioral Healthcare’s (ABH) Elizabeth Funk Emerging Leader Award. The award recognizes members under the age of 40 who show evidence of commitment to behavioral health through his/her ability as an emerging leader within the field. Recipients of the award display the ability to motivate staff and communicate effectively in their role as a developing leader. Blanchard received her award on October 21, during the ABA’s Salute to Excellence at the Waltham Hotel, an event dedicated to recognizing leaders in community-based behavioral healthcare.
Spectrum Health Systems Expands Business Development Team
WORCESTER, MA – October 06, 2016 – Spectrum Health Systems, the largest private non-profit substance abuse and mental health treatment provider in New England, announced it has expanded its business development team through the addition of Pat Anderson and Lauren Cappello as regional business development liaisons. Both will be based in Spectrum’s Worcester offices.
Spectrum Health Systems Awarded $15,000 Grant for Local Opioid Treatment Programs
WORCESTER, Mass. (Sept. 19, 2016) – Spectrum Health Systems, a longtime nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people overcome substance and opioid use and addiction, announced today the acceptance of a $15,000 grant from the Albert W. Rice Charitable Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee.
Spectrum Presents Blueprint for Developing Gender-Specific, Trauma-Informed Correctional Programs
Spectrum's Director of Female Services Jennifer Zachary joined a panel of experts from the Massachusetts Department of Correction (MA DOC) and Northpointe, Inc. for a recent presentation at the American Correctional Association's (ACA) 146th Congress of Correction held in Boston. The presentation entitled, "Pathways to Change: A Blueprint for Developing Successful Gender-Specific, Trauma-Informed Correctional Programs" showcased the new evidence-based approach to female correctional services now being utilized in Massachusetts.
Spectrum Hosts First World Café Event, Collects Valuable Feedback from Women in Recovery
Spectrum Health Systems recently held its first World Café Event in Worcester, Massachusetts to help identify gaps in services and supports available to women in recovery in the local area. The World Café model is a growing business practice used to access the collective intelligence of key groups of stakeholders. It is based on open, small group discussions that are linked to a larger group format.
Spectrum Health Systems Names Kurt Isaacson as New President and CEO
Spectrum Health Systems announced today that current Chief Operating Officer Kurt A. Isaacson has been named its new president and chief executive officer effective July 1, 2016. Isaacson will succeed retiring Spectrum President and CEO Charles “Chuck” J. Faris, who joined Spectrum in 1971 and led the organization through a period of significant evolution. Faris will move to a senior advisor role to facilitate a smooth leadership transition.
Spectrum’s Recovery Support Navigator Program Changes Lives
On Tuesday, March 30th, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey joined Spectrum Health Systems, along with other elected officials, corrections and addiction treatment professionals at the Doubletree Hotel in Westborough, Massachusetts to celebrate the successes of the innovative Recovery Support Navigator (RSN) program.
Opioid Abuse Law Deserves Applause
Check out today's blog posting as Spectrum President and CEO, Charles Faris shares his thoughts on recent efforts to combat the current opioid epidemic in Massachusetts. In my 45 years working in addiction treatment, I have never seen the demand so great and the stakes so high...
Spectrum Health Systems President and CEO Charles Faris to Retire in July
Spectrum Health Systems today announced that Charles “Chuck” J. Faris will retire from his position as president and chief executive officer effective July 1, 2016, at which time he will move to a senior advisor role to help facilitate a seamless transition in leadership.
Spectrum Health Systems and the Massachusetts Department of Correction Collaborate to Address Opioid Addiction Among Offenders
Spectrum Health Systems will soon receive federal Byrne grant funding through a partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) as part of the state’s Heroin and Opioid Crime Reduction State Initiative. The Department received one of nineteen grants awarded in Massachusetts designed to help district attorneys, sheriffs and other criminal justice agencies combat the ongoing opioid abuse crisis.
