Black Leaders Matter
In our field, we are always working on behalf of the betterment of our patients. At BHG, we are fortunate to have a wide array of diverse voices and representations. Black History Month allows us to remember how critical the Black voice is, especially in topics of community outreach and demystifying the stigma of MATR. Black Leaders at BHG are involved with local and national initiatives that improve access to care. A part of our responsibility in doing so is advocating for the needs of our community.
In Washington, D.C., Regional Clinical Director, Keisha Haynes, MS, LCPC, was able to use her relationships within the community to help bridge a relationship between Federally Qualified Health Center, Unity Health Care, Inc., the DC Department of Corrections and our Washington, D.C. Treatment Center. This community relationship has enabled Program Director, Lonnette Ray, LPN to begin to coordinate expanded access for the patients at the DC Treatment Center where medical needs of our patients can be addressed at the many locations of DC’s largest FQHC. Also, she can now supply access to patients transitioning back into the community from the Department of Corrections, seeking continued Opioid Treatment. Ms. Ray has been immersing herself in the community, bridging relationships between her patients’ needs and community resources and local public elected officials. Due to some of Ms. Ray’s community outreach efforts, her patients can now address co-occurring mental health disorders with on-site mental health services. Keisha Haynes and Lonnette Ray share a common goal with BHG, which is empowering our patients to realize their best level of functioning in their communities. Leveraging, building, and strengthening relationships in these communities helps them to do just that.
Having a seat at the right table is just as important as building new bridges. Tiara Reddick, MA, LPC, CSAC, Regional Clinical Director for Michigan, Missouri, and Rhode Island is a Rhode Island Association for Addiction Professionals Advisory Committee member. This year, Tiara was selected as a clinical expert committee member for the National Board of Certified Counselors. She is also a part of the Rhode Island Health Impact Collaborative of Greater Westerly, a partnership of many citizens and organizations working together to improve the health of the community. Tiara is known in Virginia, as the 2020 Just Ask Conference Speaker on Bringing awareness to families and survivors of human trafficking and SUD.
Leadership often carries a balance of burden, responsibility, and opportunity. Samson Teklemariam, VP of Clinical Services for BHG also serves as a volunteer reviewer and mentor for students in the Minority Fellowship Program, through the NBCC/NAADAC. The Minority Fellowship Program (MFP) aims to reduce health disparities and improve behavioral health care outcomes for underserved populations. Several recipients of MFP are also team members here at BHG and continue to serve their community, as part of their missional commitment. Clinicians are strong at building relationships, but often not sure how to convert these relationships to strategic treatment partnerships. Due to recent BHG growth initiatives, clinical, operations and business development teams have collaborated to achieve strong treatment relationships in our communities.
