Guiding nearly 300 staff with various levels of computer skills into the 21st century of Electronic Medical Records is an enormously difficult undertaking! Yet, Susan Loughery and TJ Cooperman are doing just that for the staff of OceanMHS. After nine months of planning and countless extra hours of work they have accomplished the nearly impossible and the system is up and running great! The term “Shining Lights” is pale in comparison to their efforts!
I would like to recognize the merits of Diane Barnes, LSW, the supervisor of Project Recovery Adult Partial Care program. She has recently volunteered to be the interim supervisor of Project Anchor until a new supervisor is hired. Diane is dedicated to the wellness and recovery model and always thinks of others before herself. She goes above and beyond for the clients and staff. She is truly a tribute to all social workers. Thank you Diane!
Congratulations to Christina Gaetano, OceanMHS Director of Development as the newest appointed member of The Ocean County Advisory Commission on the Status of Women. Nineteen volunteer Commissioners are appointed by the Board of Chosen Freeholders to serve as Commissioners. The Commissioners represent the diverse roles that women assume in our society. The Commission is dedicated to analyzing the needs, concerns, problems and interests as well as identifying services and resources for women in Ocean County.
Many thanks to Kathy Barella, who has been working for OMHS since 2003. Time and time again Kathy has been a tremendous team player in the agency.
She never hesitates to pitch in wherever she is needed and has unselfishly helped out in other programs repeatedly over the years. Currently the house leader in Beacon House, she has also done that job while filling in for vacant positions in PACT I, PACT II, SHARE, PATH and Anchor House. We would like to recognize Kathy as a true dedicated OceanMHS employee with a big heart and a lot of energy!!!
Kudos to Colette Rucinski, who joined the Connections staff in June 2007 as our Case Manager. She excelled in that position and was promoted to the position of Connections Clinician two years later. Colette has been a great asset to our program. She is extremely team oriented and goes out of her way to be of assistance to clients, coworkers, interns, and our treatment parents. She is consistently able to develop an excellent rapport with some very challenging clients and utilizes creative and effective interventions to help them reach their goals. She is the type of employee who is self motivated, enthusiastic, and consistently goes above and beyond in her work. The foster children in our program benefit greatly from having such a strong advocate in their corner.