By Dr. Benjamin Nordstrom, Chief Medical Officer
For the past couple of months, I’ve enjoyed meeting many of you on my cross-country “road show” rolling out our new Integrated Dynamic Care Model (IDCM). While I know we have a lot of work ahead, I’m energized by your dedication to carrying out what distinguishes BHG from other providers —we are a recovery solution that includes medication. You are helping patients understand what real recovery is and that it is possible for them to achieve.
By offering three flexible recovery pathways through the IDCM, BHG is providing patients with more resources and tools than ever to meet their needs during the ebbs and flows of their individual journeys. To do this, we know that a big piece of what patients need to know is information and skills that are critical to learning new coping strategies. We must help them identify triggers and pitfalls and learn how to find a way forward.
Please welcome our new VP and Director of Clinical Services
To help us implement the IDCM strategies, I’m excited to introduce Samson Teklemariam, LPC, CPTM (pronounced tek-leh-mehr-ee-um). The vision for his role is to support efforts at the program level by working closely with Regional Clinical Directors to equip you with resources and training.
Samson brings with him a depth and breadth of knowledge and leadership that I’ve personally witnessed. Years ago, we met while working together on a clinical transformation team for Phoenix House where he was the National Director for Learning and Development. After Phoenix House, he led training for NAADAC. He has rich experience working with counselors and helping them deliver the best clinical services to people. He’s an expert in developing training curriculum and understands the small nuances of communities and which states and payors have favored treatments for different populations and regions.
But before all of that, Samson was a pastor on a mission to help the community in which he grew up break cycles of addiction and other barriers that were making it hard for people to live healthy lives.
Called to care
Samson said what led him to the behavioral health field, and now to BHG, was his church.
“I started off as a pastor. I just wanted to help people, but I realize now that I didn’t understand how. I would go to the same neighborhood where my church was and saw tremendous damage.”
Soon after, Samson said he “became neurotic about the science of helping.” He went back to school and got a Master’s in counseling where he learned about evidence-based treatment.
“I was called to care, but I’ve realized there is a right way to care.”
While growing his private practice, someone from Phoenix House saw him speaking somewhere and offered him a job to move to New York and do clinical training there.
“That is where I realized my greatest way to make an impact was through 40-plus counselors who had a case-load of 40-plus patients.”
Saying yes to BHG
About eight months ago, I called Samson while he was working at NAADAC, happily I might add. I started talking to him about this opportunity at BHG to which he explained how steeped into his job he was and that he was credentialed in peer support and workforce development. I think you’ll be just as glad as I am that he said yes to making BHG his next adventure.
“One day it hit me. I realized that everything I’ve been absorbing has prepared me for this. This is exactly where I’m meant to be now. I’m honored and looking forward to helping enhance and expand the quality of care and service here at BHG,” said Samson.
“Our job in recovery is not to restrict, but to expand patients’ perspective of what supports them through recovery,” said Samson. “By identifying community resources and providing clinical support, you let them know there’s help anywhere. Some of the biggest breakthroughs in healing people has been about achieving a moment of precision. I’m all about precision when it comes to counseling and clinical work. Everyone’s story is unique and requires an individualized approach. Each BHG location will need a precise implementation plan that is tailored to the community.”
Good examples of what Samson is talking about are in Colorado where there’s growing support to include this recovery model in marriage and family counseling because addiction is prevalent in those situations; and in DC, there’s a lot of support to help with re-entry to society after incarceration.
What Samson’s role means for you
His main role is in implementation and making IDCM a reality. That requires a careful roll-out because some of the centers are not ready, and those that are, have a space that is safe and staff have the proper credentials.
For those centers that are not ready to implement the IDCM, especially those in rural locations, it can be tough finding people with the right credentials. With Samson’s leadership and the collaboration of our teams, I’m confident we’ll take every thoughtful step to ensure we’re not disrupting services for our patients.
- Be prepared for a combination of on-demand and in-person trainings. This is something we want everyone to participate in.
- Counselors, start working toward certifications to deliver these various treatments and interventions.
- Drop Samson a line and introduce yourself at [email protected]
As always, I would love to hear from you to answer questions and share ideas. Reach out to me at [email protected] or 603-306-6047. And, please continue to stay informed about COVID-19-related updates on our website.
