People First, Sept ’21

Building a Culture of Appreciation, Recognition and Thanks 

By Linda Ballard, CHRO 

Saying thank you and showing appreciation for your colleagues just got easier with BHG’s new recognition program called “Applause.” Your invitation to join the platform is in your email. Please take a moment to register on the site. Once registered, you can begin using this platform immediately. All BHG employees can use the program, not just managers. There are multiple ways to recognize and appreciate employees for going above and beyond, including sending a simple thank-you note or an e-card to recognize milestones such as work anniversaries and birthdays.

According to this Psychology Today article, showing gratitude is good for your health and can positively affect the workplace. Gratitude can increase a person’s wellness, improve sleep habits, increase metabolism and lessen stress. This directly impacts work results and employee interaction.  

If you need a little creative inspiration, check out these employee appreciation quotes at Teambuilding.com   

Don’t miss a moment to recognize, celebrate and support employees as we continue to grow better together to restore lives, strengthen families and rejuvenate communities. 


Welcome to the Team   

We are thrilled to have these new team members join BHG over the last month.   

Home Office 

  • Kathleen Tennison, Accounts Payable Specialist 
  • Will Hinton, Payment Posting – Reconciliation Specialist 
  • Amanda Reed, Learning and Development Manager 
  • Avery Higham, Online Community Management Specialist – Intern 
  • Andres Torres, Technical Support Manager 
  • Dana Malone-White, Regional Clinical Director 
  • Jenna Hunt, Human Resources Coordinator 

BHG Asheville  

  • Michael Grohall, Counselor 

BHG Berea 

  • Heather King, Recovery Coach 

BHG Bessemer 

  • Cassondra Brown, Office Manager 
  • Asia Foster, Counselor 
  • Sierra Washington, Patient Financial Coordinator Lead 

BHG Chesapeake South 

  • Chelayne Hendricks, Medication Nurse 
  • Catherine Thomas Hughes, Case Manager 
  • Tati’Yanna Thompson, Counselor – Intern 
  • Tania Untalan, Counselor 

BHG Chesapeake 

  • Catherine Raffaele, Counselor 
  • Michalle Rice, Medical Assistant 

BHG Clyde  

  • Angela Rearigh, Medication Nurse – PRN 

BHG Corbin  

  • Jeremiah Bullard, Counselor 
  • Amanda Bullas, Case Manager 
  • Morgan Bunch, Counselor 
  • Sarah Overbey, Medication Nurse
  • Tina Walgenbach, Medical Assistant 

BHG Denver Downtown 

  • Carla Adams, IPS Employment Specialist 
  • Sloane Book, Peer Recovery Support Specialist 
  • Jackie Martiny, Medication Nurse 
  • Stacy Shelts, Counselor 

BHG Dyersberg 

  • Sanjuana Reyes, Medical Assistant 
  • Tanya Scallions, Patient Registration Coordinator 
  • Aaliyah Williams, Counselor 

BHG Fort Collins 

  • Jack Underwood, Patient Registration Coordinator 

BHG Gadsden 

  • Sharon McCombs, Counselor 
  • Alicia Walker, Medication Nurse 

BHG Glen Allen  

  • Angela Kelchner, Counselor 

BHG Hazard  

  • Angel Birch, Counselor 
  • Cindy Fields, Case Manager 
  • Steve Spurgeon, Case Manager 

BHG Huntsville  

  • Cotina Dean, Medication Nurse 
  • Debra Dexter, Patient Registration Coordinator 
  • Deneka Henry, Patient Registration Coordinator 
  • Ernest Jennings, Counselor
  • Julian Jude, Counselor Supervisor  
  • Brittney Soto, Medication Nurse 

BHG Jackson, GA  

  • Yterria Hightower, Medication Nurse 

BHG Jonesboro/Batesville 

  • Allison Gage, APRN 

BHG Knoxville Citico  

  • Madeleine Burdette, Counselor
  • Kim Hamilton, Medication Nurse 
  • Kristy Maples, Medication Nurse 
  • Rebekka Robbins, Intake Counselor 

BHG Lexington  

  • Erwin Ball, Counselor 
  • Zachary Lail, Recovery Coach
  • Juanisha Marshall, Nurse Practitioner  

BHG Longmont  

  • Emily Lingle, Counselor 

BHG Medical Services – Mobile 

  • Danielle Martin, Patient Registration Coordinator 

BHG Memphis Mid-Town  

  • Linda Williams, Counselor 

BHG Memphis North 

  • Paris Garner, Medical Assistant 
  • Elizabeth Mireles, Medication Nurse 

BHG Memphis South  

  • Rene Elliott, Patient Registration Coordinator 

BHG Mobile  

  • Kimberly Zamora, Patient Registration Coordinator 

BHG Nashville  

  • Kiana Crom, Counselor 
  • Christina Smith, Counselor 
  • Megan Reed, Medication Nurse 
  • Michael Giles, Counselor 

BHG New Orleans Downtown  

  • Kathryn Bardwell, Counselor 
  • Kimberly Thompson, Medical Assistant 

BHG New Orleans Westbank  

  • Mirvat Addi, Counselor 
  • Cheerie Brooks, Counselor 
  • Ella Dorsey-Julian, Counselor 
  • Treva Richmond, Counselor 

BHG Newport News  

  • Docelsey Bazemore, Medication Nurse
  • Charity Ervin, Medication Nurse 
  • Helen Reynolds, Medication Nurse 

BHG North Little Rock  

  • Danyae Smith, Medication Nurse
  • NaTasha Thorne, Counselor 

BHG Paducah  

  • Alyssa Crum, Case Manager 

BHG Paintsville  

  • Tonya Workman, Nurse Practitioner 

BHG Pawtucket 

  • Taneesha Lyder, Medication Nurse 

BHG Shoals 

  • Heather Boes, Counselor – Intern
  • Brittany Spain, Counselor
  • Jessie Stockdall, Counselor   

BHG Springfield  

  • Chris McCorison, Counselor 

BHG Stevenson  

  • Charmaine Michaels, Counselor 

BHG Tifton  

  • Martha Busbin, Patient Registration Coordinator
  • Eryn Kelly, Counselor 

BHG Virginia Beach 

  • Mikayla Cochran, Case Manager
  • Pacies Hodges, Counselor 
  • Paula Parker, Medical Assistant 
  • Dominique Smith, Counselor 
  • Veronica Williams, Nurse Practitioner  

MTC Westminster 

  • Yadira Antolin, Patient Registration Coordinator 
  • Cynthia Cruz Butanda, Patient Registration Coordinator 
  • Damien Rowland, Counselor 

MTC Gaylord 

  • Theresa Van De Ven, Medication Nurse 

Rock’n a New Role   

BHG Chesapeake South 

  • Courtney Nishnick, Lead Counselor 

BHG Glen Alan  

  • Stacie Shifflett, Lead Counselor 

BHG Joplin 

  • Cara Bland, Program Director 

BHG Knoxville Bernard 

  • Wendy Boles, Regional Community Partner 
  • Sasha Clabo, Nurse Supervisor 
  • Jeffery Lawson, Lead Counselor 

BHG Memphis Mid-Town 

  • Anna Blevins, Nurse Supervisor 

BHG Mobile 

  • Crystal Phalo, Nurse Supervisor 

BHG New Orleans Westbank  

  • Jane Kalm, Lead Counselor