Connect with Connections - · PDF filelines” as opposed to “programs.” These changes ... for their loyalty and support during these changes. ... at our Westside location

2014 Annual Report

Connect with Connections

Annual Report 2014 | 1

If you can’t fly, then run,if you can’t run, then walk,if you can’t walk, then crawl,but whatever you do,you have to keep moving forward.”

- Martin Luther King, Jr.

“

Our MissionConnections is committed, in a spirit of partnership, to

enhancing individual and community health through the delivery of a comprehensive, cost effective, integrated

system of behavioral health care that promotes, in a culturally competent manner, wellness, healing and quality of life.

It is time to write another Leadership Letter for our 2014 Annual Report. It is striking how fast time can fly by. It seems like the letter for last year’s report was just composed! There is truth in the notion that as we get older time seems to speed up all the more. In planning this letter and considering the topic to discuss, a quote by Dr. Deepak Chopra came to mind: “In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside of you.” It seems to fit this past year very well.There has been much movement within Connections this year. Earlier in 2014, the structure of the organization was changed with the goals in mind being to enhance communication, identify areas that needed improvement, and increase accountability. As a result of declines in patient service revenue and deteriorating financial figures for the end of 2013, the decision was made to reorganize the agency’s administrative structure. We discussed at length what to do and how to accomplish the change. There were many questions to be answered. We wanted to reorganize to encourage empowerment of the Directors and to enhance their decision-making authority. Directors were encouraged to make quick, necessary changes to turn the operation around. There was a need for improved review of metrics and measures. At the same time, our hope was that the Staff would understand why we were taking these actions. A number of people were affected, jobs were eliminated, and several positions were changed. The structure was modified to consider our work here in “service lines” as opposed to “programs.” These changes caused chaos, as anything of this magnitude might do. Uncertainty caused issues with morale and some staff have chosen to leave because of it. Stillness was not easily found for most employees.

As we kept our eye on the goal and envisioned the ultimate outcome, “keep stillness inside of you,” part of Dr. Chopra’s quote, kept coming to mind. As a result, today, we have discovered the 4 primary areas in need of attention: Access to care; engagement; caseload management; and follow up on all missed pharmaceutical management appointments. Efforts are under way to improve performance in each area. It took great determination on everyone’s part to get to this point. Trusting each other, supporting each other and holding each other accountable can help keep the stillness inside each of us. As this is being written, stillness is beginning to settle within the management team. It is such a joy to watch the Directors and Supervisors problem-solve issues they find and then actually implement the change quickly. We are seeing positive results from this hard work. We all know that there is continued uncertainty with health care changes. In spite of this, we have a wonderful team of professionals that care deeply for the patients and families we serve, the community and each other. Even though there have been struggles, we feel fortunate. The work can be difficult and wearisome, yet, we know the staffs’ hearts are with the continuing good care of our patients. That makes stillness much easier to achieve.In this report, we highlighted people who have made great strides in their endeavors. You will read a story about a patient who, through great effort, has overcome his disability. We also feature stories about projects that required determination to accomplish: The Pharmacy Services; our Women’s Program; the Integrated Health Clinic; and, our most recent accomplishment, the development of Pinnacle

A Message from our Leadership

2 | Connections: Health • Wellness • Advocacy

Partners, a Shared Service Organization (SSO). In each instance, someone had to keep their eye on a goal and work through some adverse circumstances to achieve the objective. For example, the SSO took 3 years to accomplish, teaching that persistence and following your dream do work.We wish to express our gratitude to Connections’ Staff for their loyalty and support during these changes. Thank you to our Board Members, Volunteers, Students, Residents, Community Partners and to our Patients and their families for your confidence in the agency and the work we do. We look forward to your continued support.

Ethel RobitsonBoard Chair

Esther Pla, RN, BC President & CEO


Anthony Napier Spotlight

Anthony Napier is 34 years old. He has been on medication since he was 7 years old, when he was diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome. His is a story of continuous perseverance and ultimate success. Anthony has learned so much about this disorder that he describes it as “a neurological disorder in the brain that makes you do involuntary things.” He is able to break this down as motor tics and verbal tics that are like when you are going to sneeze and you can’t stop from sneezing. More recently, Anthony has also been diagnosed with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Paranoid Schizophrenia. With a very different description, he is able to detail the voice that he has heard for over 20 years now. A voice that is his bully and puts him down constantly with negativity and slurs that can be “so upsetting it brings me to tears.” The symptoms of these illnesses can trigger each other resulting in such anxiety and even physical ailment that he would blame himself for the bullying voice.Anthony has been coming to Connections since 2007. He specifically names Kristen Hykes, Ann Marie Webster

and Dr. Gretchen Gardner as the best providers he has ever had (and he has had many!). He says “They are so helpful and so supportive. They help me through the bad times and the happy times.” Anthony’s family is very important to him and professional services are provided at his home in order to include his parents. Ms. Webster describes Anthony as working hard to successfully overcome the symptoms of his illness and striving towards independence. Although his extensive history of employment has been interrupted by his illness, his tenacity is found in his continuous efforts to remain in the work force. He currently works 4 days a week and is extremely proud of the car he purchased and the 45 minute commute he has mapped out to avoid the highway to get to work. Kristen Hykes will tell you that Anthony is “extremely friendly and outgoing even though he struggles with social anxiety and paranoia.” She notes that he “is willing to talk openly with others about his mental health experiences to educate and advocate for himself.” When he shared about his own personal struggles at the pulpit of his church, where he is an usher, Anthony was met with applause from the congregation. His faith is important to him and he believes that “God won’t give you anything that you can’t handle.” He sees his illnesses as challenges and is incredibly “self motivated” to continuously make himself stronger.Anthony summarized his Connections Experience by stating, “Since 2007, it has just been a blessing.” He expressed gratitude to everyone for helping him overcome his barriers and obstacles.

A Year in Review: Achievements


Anthony Napier“I made a Connection”

Connections Announces Opening of In-house Pharmacy At West Side LocationFrom a clinical pharmacy perspective it is clearly evident that there is paradigm shift from a “dispense, dispense, dispense” mentality to a quality care model. As payers (i.e., managed care companies, insurance companies) review their pharmacy networks they will continue to contract with those pharmacies offering additional services. Specifically, clinical services will be in high demand to assist payers with their Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Star Ratings, the CMS rating system. Pharmacists can have a direct impact on medication safety, medication adherence strategies, and identification of potential medication related problems through Medication Therapy Management Services (MTMS). The pharmacist will be able to communicate directly with patients to identify medication-related issues and assist in empowering the patient and caregiver to make the changes necessary to improve their health. At a Connections Pharmacy, our intent is to improve patient access to receiving medications in a timely manner as well as integrate the drug therapy experts into their treatment. Due to the ever-changing nature of the healthcare industry, along with improving patient care, securing and maintaining consistent sources of revenue with combining great clinical care has become even more important. For 6 years, Connections has operated an in-house Pharmacy at our Beachwood location. In an effort to provide improved services, this year Connections has added a new pharmacy at our Westside location. Having a Pharmacy at

this site allows us to create improved patient and physician relationships, while giving us the opportunity to work directly with our patients as we fold the medication therapy experts into the holistic treatment of our patients.Connections’ pharmacy is committed to delivering the highest quality care to our patients through clinical expertise and immediate access to their medications. We are excited to introduce our team of Greg Delluomo, RPh, and Sally Armitage, Certified Pharmacy Technician, at the Westside pharmacy, who will assure that great care and service is provided to our patients.As we enter into a new year, patient engagement is critical to the success of the ongoing treatment of our patients. We look forward to the pharmacy’s role in assuring a positive patient outcome through our new location on the Westside.

Greg Delluomo, RPh, and Sally Armitage


A Year in Review: Achievements


Pinnacle Partners Launches New Chapter in CollaborationUnder the leadership of Gary Humble as Executive Director, Pinnacle Partners, a Shared Services Organization (SSO), officially launched on April 21, 2014 as a partnership between three community behavioral health providers (Connections, Signature Health and ORCA House). Pinnacle Partners is dedicated to enhancing existing community behavioral health services in Northeast Ohio by improving operational efficiency of member organizations, sharing resources and networking to ensure that patients receive comprehensive treatment and prevention solutions.“Forthcoming changes to the healthcare system at the federal and state level pose significant operational and financial challenges to behavioral health providers,” states Gary Humble. “As a Shared Services Organization, Pinnacle Partners will provide the resources and expertise necessary to enable behavioral health organizations to not only survive, but thrive in a managed care environment.” The market is changing rapidly. MyCare Ohio, a managed care product for people dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, has been rolled out in our area. Eventually, Community Behavioral Health Services will be carved into Medicaid Managed Care Organizations for payment and clinical management. In the future, organizations will be paid for the value and the quality of its outcomes versus the current model of traditional “Fee For Service.”To that end, Pinnacle Partners will guide community based agencies through this new managed care environment. The organization is not interested in

changing the Agency Partners’ missions, core values or the way in which clients are treated. Pinnacle Partners exists so that it can assist our Partners in fulfilling their individual missions by shared administrative services and providing opportunities to strategically position those organizations in the ever-changing managed care market place.Pinnacle Partners will achieve this end through offering the following array of services: resources utilization (e.g., shared infrastructure); creation of a comprehensive treatment network; and external consulting services in the areas of managed care contracting, credentialing and administrative systems development.Pinnacle Partners looks forward to a long and productive collaboration with its Partner Agencies as they reshape behavioral health services in the communities they serve.

Integrated Health Clinic Fills Healthcare Void for PatientsFor nearly a year, Connections has been meeting a critical need of many of its patients, by providing high quality primary health care services at its Integrated Health Clinic. Created in partnership with University Hospitals, the clinic is located at our Beachwood location, and is open every Wednesday afternoon. All Connections’ patients who possess medical health needs, in addition to mental health and substance abuse issues, are able to make a direct appointment at the clinic. The Integrated Health Clinic is staffed by Dr. Sybil Marsh of University Hospitals’ Department of Family Medicine, and features an emphasis on preventative health care, including blood pressure screenings, as well as referrals to specialists when necessary.The impetus for creating the clinic started several years ago, due to an initiative by the State of Ohio urging behavioral health care providers to move towards a more integrated model of care. While the initiative eventually diminished in importance, Connections continued to strive towards making accessible health care a reality for its patients. The first step was to conduct a patient survey regarding access to adequate health care. The results revealed that the majority of patients did not have access to a primary care physician, despite possessing higher rates of chronic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes and hypertension. Connections then contacted officials from the University Hospitals’ Department of Family Medicine to discuss the creation of a partnership. After a two year development process, Connections and University Hospitals launched

the Integrated Health Clinic on November 6, 2013. The clinic also received financial support from the Woodruff Foundation, which provided a generous $40,000 grant over two years.Reaction to the clinic has been extremely positive, as patients appreciate the convenience of being able to receive primary and behavioral health care services at one location. In the future, Connections hopes to expand the reach of the clinic by increasing office hours, opening satellite locations, and providing women’s health care services. Connections would like to thank University Hospitals and other partners for helping to improve the overall level of care and quality of life for its patients.

Gary Humble, Executive Director, Pinnacle Partners

Sybil Marsh, MD


Our commitment to enhancing individual and community health through the delivery of a comprehensive, cost effective and integrated system of behavioral health care is evidenced through our service lines. It is through this system that Connections promotes wellness, healing and quality of life. We currently serve individuals of all diagnoses, across all ages in the lifespan in numerous unique programs. Patients of Connections receive experienced, evidence-based, and best practice treatment, across several levels of outpatient care customized to meet their unique needs. Our service lines are staffed with a multidisciplinary team of professionals who provide a holistic and collaborative approach to care. Each service line offers the following core services: comprehensive behavioral health assessment, community psychiatric supportive treatment (CPST), counseling, peer support, and pharmacological management. Comprehensive Assessment for all new referrals and returning patients includes financial information, a medical/physical screen, psychosocial history, presenting problems, treatment history, alcohol and drug history, and provisional diagnosis.Community Psychiatric Supportive Treatment (CPST) includes a wide range of interventions with patients, families and caregivers that promote the improvement and maintenance of optimal personal, social and community functioning of persons with severe and persistent mental illness.Behavioral Health Counseling services offered on an individual or group basis are designed to address a wide range of psychiatric and emotional issues.

Pharmacological Management Services provide comprehensive medical psychiatric management and treatment of patients by the collaborative treatment team of professionals involved in an individual’s care.Child & Adolescent Program assists children and adolescents to regain and/or develop the emotional wellbeing and behavioral control necessary for successful school, family and peer experiences.Peer Support Services, conducted by staff members who are in recovery themselves, bridge the gap between traditional mental health services and areas critical to recovery through self-help groups, peer mentoring and peer advocacy.Geriatric Program provides individualized treatment for older patients with unique needs within the context of a safe environment.Dual Diagnosis/IDDT Program recognizes the special needs of the dually diagnosed adult, challenged with both chemical dependency and mental illness, through treatment that concurrently addresses patients’ needs to maintain abstinence from alcohol and other drugs and stabilize mental illness.Intensive Outpatient Behavioral Health provides a higher intensity of treatment services for those individuals living with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and bipolar disorder who are seeking to reduce hospitalization.Assertive Community Treatment Program is Connections’ most intensive level of interdisciplinary services and assists adults with severe and persistent mental illness to live more successfully in the community, reduce inpatient hospitalizations,

better manage their illness and promote an improved overall quality of life.Services for Persons who are Deaf & Hard of Hearing available for children, adults and families who are deaf or hard of hearing provided by staff proficient in American Sign Language.Forensic Outpatient Behavioral Health coordinates with the Mental Health Developmental Disability Court, MHDD Probation, and the ODRC to ensure patients with criminal justice issues and Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective, Bipolar and Major Depressive Disorders receive services that address their unique needs.Adult SMD provides a multidisciplinary approach to helping adult patients with severe mental illness eliminate barriers to living independently, improve quality of life, and reduce hospitalizations.North Ridge Commons, in collaboration with Eden, Inc., is based on the ‘Housing First’ model and designed for homeless adults, age 50 and over, who have experienced severe and persistent mental health disabilities and chronic homelessness.Women’s Mental Health and Perinatal Clinic provides care to both pregnant and postpartum women who struggle with depression, anxiety, substance use, and other mental health issues.Home Choice program helps Medicaid eligible persons of any age with the transition from long-term facility settings to home and community settings by assisting individuals to locate housing and connecting them with other important community resources (e.g., health care and personal assistance).

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Persistent Psychosis (CBT-p). Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) selected CBT-p as one of its BeST practices for initial implementation and has trained Connections’ staff members to use the treatment practices. When individuals affected by schizophrenia, who experience persistent psychotic symptoms, are treated with a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy that has been adapted for psychosis (CBT-p), their symptoms, and their quality of life, improve. It is associated with reduced severity of symptoms in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, improved medication adherence, increased recovery-related activities and decreased duration of hospital stays. Integrated Health Clinic. With the emphasis on preventative health care, including health screenings and exams, as well as treatment referrals to medical specialists when necessary, and in partnership with University Hospitals, high quality primary health care services are provided onsite to patients of Connections who possess medical health needs, in addition to mental health and substance abuse issues. Pharmacy. Believing that Pharmacists can have a direct impact on medication safety, medication adherence strategies, and identification of potential medication related problems through Medication Therapy Management Services (MTMS), an in-house, closed door Pharmacy is located at our Beachwood location with a second Pharmacy opening soon at our Westside site.

Service Lines

Service Lines

8 | Connections: Health • Wellness • Advocacy Annual Report 2014 | 9

FY 2014

Revenues:Medicaid $6,327,434Medicare $220,526Cuyahoga County $2,080,125Pharmacy $6,495,897Third Party and Self Pay $105,962Contributions and Grants $249,386Other $1,215,674TOTAL REVENUE $16,695,005

Expenses:Wages, Taxes & Benefits $8,010,571Contracted Services $1,330,907Occupancy $907,363Pharmaceuticals $5,350,752Depreciation $20,400Interest $142Bad Debts $31,524Other $1,238,771TOTAL EXPENSES $16,890,430

Summary Financial Statements

Unaudited


MEDICAID

MEDICARE

CUYAHOGA COUNTY

PHARMACY

THIRD PARTY & SELF PAY

CONTRIBUTIONS & GRANTS

OTHER

REVENUES

WAGES, TAXES & BENEFITS

CONTRACTED SERVICES

OCCUPANCY

PHARMACEUTICALS

DEPRECIATION

INTEREST

BAD DEBTS

OTHER

EXPENSES

John B. DykemanDonna EllisonJung J. El-MallawanyGerald EngelhartWilliam FikterRichard FossSanford & Molly FriedsonMr. & Mrs. Gerald E. FuerstKamelah GanawayNorma C. Geller Murray A. Goldstone, MDVirginia GrahamTheresa HagarmanLisa HayesChristopher G. HerbruckBianca HillEarnese HillLinette HooverLinda HribarThe Human Resource DepartmentRandall & Wendy HydeKristin HykesMichele JavorekSonja JohnsonSusan JohnsonLenore J. KahnMario D. KamionkowskiJames KonnoffHope LatiakMonica LettermanAmy Lipson & Andrew AltmanJennifer LudwigBrian Luntz

Janice LynchJesse MaddoxRyan MarblestoneStacey MarkovitzJill MartinDespina MavrakisLinda MaxwellBrittany McClainMarlinda McKellarSusan McLarenMichael MelincoffBob & Fran MigliorinoPamela MintzMelanie MullerMurtis H. Taylor Human ServicesKatie Myers-KachadourianNAMICaren NowakCasey NygordObiageli OragwuDaniel PastelLucy PerezLatissha PerryKathryn & Thomas PlesecTracy J. PlouckShannan PusateriDawn RawlingsKevin Ringer IJerome RiversDebbie RodriguezCindy RolfeIvette RuchEsther SackeyGina Sarli-Spisak

Edward SettlesHarvey SniderMary SpadaMary StrabacKaren SuggsMichele SulakSara SyedAnn B. SylvesterAnthony TeagueDr. Eduardo D. VazquezDr. Sheridan VecchioMary VlahosAnn Marie WebsterKelly WelshHarold H. & Conna S. WhitmoreOrtrud Williams James Wolen

$10,000 and aboveMt. Sinai FoundationBruening FoundationOver $1,000CareSourceCleveland ClinicCompanion Dx LabKey BankMedical MutualDrs. Melvin & Miriam RosenthalVan Auken Akins Architects$501 to $1000American Copier SolutionsJeanette BrzoskaDr. Elaine CampbellCity Bank InvestmentDonald DaltonGanley Bedford ImportsDr. Gretchen GardnerHerbruck Alder Legacy FundPamela Holmes Dr. Ewald HorwathBarbara KrasnerCyrila E. & David M. KribelDavid & Ruth LaseckiRochelle LipsonDaniel S. MachuzakMeaden & MooreMHS, IncJames & Nancy NagleEsther & Gustavo PlaRobb F. Reinker Ethel RobitsonWilliam H. Stevens

University HospitalsStephen J. WerberDr. Jackson T. & Molly Wright Zito Insurance Agency$101 to $500Charleen AllarCarolyn AllenAnonymousASV Services, LLC Don & Karen BarrettBenjamin Rose InstitutePatricia BennettLydia Ann BertJoyce A. BrowningDanel J. CallowayJonnie Mae CooperLaura CorriganDavid M. DobranicNancy D. Fisher Dr. Eleanor J. GottesmanJennifer HardenRonald HarrisChris & Traci HerbruckRonald Holman JC Power Strategic CommunicationsDazel JohnsonElizabeth S. JohnsonMark JohnsonSandra L. KimbleKurt LeeperClaudia MetzKathleen PeperaMiriam & Martin Plax

Ann M. Donahoe SafkoRichard & Donna SchmittgenDr. Joseph SteinerPhyllis H. SyracuseLinda TaylorBrian TiltonGregory UhlandVNA Of OhioJames VernonAllen C. WaddleWeston Hurd LLPUp to $100Dionna AdieJacqueline V. AkinsLainie AllenAnonymousAnonymousRimvydas Augis Ph.D.Michael BaskinBeechbrookBill Smith SupplySuzanne BoehringerLamea BosemanDarcia BoydRandall BradfordLakeisha BrooksLouis CapitanioOlga ChristouMindy CrawleyMaria DavidsonDon DaviesEdith DavisScott Dorey Kasondra Drake

Donors

Thank you for your commitment to Connections.


Connections Annual Staff and Family Picnic


AdministrationEsther Pla, RN, BC, President & CEOIvette Ruch, Executive AssistantDirectorsSuzanne Boehringer, PCC-S, Adult Services II DirectorRandall Bradford, AAT, IT DirectorDon Davies, PC, LICDC-CS, Adult/Adolescent AoD DirectorGretchen Gardner, MD, Medical DirectorJennifer Harden, MBA, Human Resources DirectorPamela Holmes, BS, Administrative DirectorMichele Javorek, MSCC, LPCC-S, Access Service DirectorMark Johnson, MSSA, LISW-S, Child/Adolescent, Deaf and Hard of Hearing & Perinatal Services DirectorBarbara Krasner, PhD, Development/Strategy DirectorJennifer Ludwig, MSCC, PCC-S, Adult Services I DirectorDonna Schmittgen, RPh, Pharmacy DirectorJames Nagle, MBA, Finance DirectorJames Vernon, MPA, PCC-S, Quality Improvement DirectorPinnacle PartnersGary Humble, BA, Executive Director Randall Hyde, MHA, RPh, Pharmacy Developer/Manager

Physicians/Advanced Practice NursesJaina Amin, MDJera Barrett, MDElaine Campbell-Psarras, MD

Gretchen Gardner, MDEleanor Gottesman, MDDeborah Gould, MDGrace Herwig, MSN, RN, CS, LCDCIII, MBASandra L. Kimble, CRNPLinda Kimble, MSN, RN, CNPSunita Kumar, MDSybil Marsh, MDSarah Nagle-Yang, MDSylvester Smarty, MDFawzia Toor, MDEduardo Vasquez, MDSheridan Vecchio, MDSupervisors/ManagersLainie Allen, CPCLamea Boseman, LISW-SAmy Brodsky, LISW-SGreg Delluomo, PHARM D, RPhKathleen Gustafson, CPASusan JohnsonPamela Mintz, RNJennifer Mooney, LPCC, CDCAJerome Rivers, LPCC-S, LIMFTGina Sarli-Spisak, LISWAssistant Clinical SupervisorsMonica Letterman, LSWCasey Nygord, LSWAssistant SupervisorsLatissha Perry, CDCAJill Martin, QMHSStacey Markovitz, QMHS

NursingCharleen Allar, RNVirginia Antolik, RNMaria Colon, LPNCarlos Henderson, RNLinda Hribar, RN

Ashley Ragland, RNMichele Sulak, LPNLinda Taylor, RNKathryn Webb, RNLynnette Wood, LPNCliniciansRimvydas Augis, PhDBrittany Carbaugh, MAEric Chmielewski, MSW, LSWRanada Cooper, PhD, LSWCaroline Coreno, LPCC-ATRMindy Crawley, MSW, LSWBrenda Dillane, MA, PCCJuanita Garon, MA, LPC, LICDCJudith Gogolen, MA, LPCC-SMark Hawrylo, II, MSW, LISW-SKristin Hykes, LPC-CR, MFTMarilyn C. Litvene, MSSA, LISWJane Martinez, MSSA, LSWThomas McDonald, MEd, LPCCaren Nowak, MSSA, LISW-SJudith Neuger, LISW-SShannan Pusateri, MSSA, LSWJerilyn Rogers, MA, LPC, LCDCIIIKristine Sovich, MA, LPCCJoseph Steiner, PhD, LISW-SAnn Sylvester, MSW, LISWFrances J. Watts, MSW, LISWClient Rights OfficerPamela Holmes, BS

Home ChoiceJoseph Hengesbaugh, LSWTyrone Robinson, LSWQualified Mental Health SpecialistsRashaba Abd Fatir, QMHSDarcia Boyd, QMHSEgypt Berge-Golston, QMHS

Krystle Burt, QMHSJoseph Chimera, QMHSOlga Christou, QMHSErickeysha Conard, QMHSDelores Crosby, QMHSKasondra Drake, QMHSEdith Davis, QMHSStephen Davis, QMHSCarmel Fosh, CDCAAndrea Franklin, LCDC IIIKamelah Ganaway, QMHSShaundra Harris, QMHSBianca Hill, QMHSEarnese Hill, QMHSKatharine Hill, QMHSKimberly Howell, QMHSJacqueline Ivkovic, QMHSDazel Johnson, QMHSSonja Johnson, QMHSAnita Jones, QMHSBobby Jordan, QMHSJames Konnoff, CDCALana Lewis, CDCAJesse Maddox, LSW, QMHSJacqueline Minyard, QMHSAnjelica Morris, LSWKatie Myers-Kachadourian, QMHSShanna Owensby, QMHSDaniel Pastel, QMHSLucy Perez, QMHSKathleen Phillips, QMHSTanisha Ramsey, QMHSDawn Rawlings, QMHSLisa Rich, QMHSBrittany Roberts, QMHSDallas Roessner, QMHSEsther Sackey, LSWCynthia Schartman, QMHSChloe Scott, QMHSEdward Settles, QMHS

Joseph Chimera, QMHSSandra Simcox, CDCAMark Tandy, QMHSAnthony Teague, QMHSTenesha Teasley, QMHSAnn Marie Webster, QMHSScott Wells, QMHSJames Wolen, LISW-SSharice Wright, CDCAPeer Support SpecialistsMark ColellaRichard FossLiam GallagherAlberto MartirService CoordinatorRita RobinsonPerformance ImprovementAnne M. Donohoe-Safko, LSWAccessLinette HooverMelanie Muller, LSWDesiree Paschal, PCCindy RolfeRachelle Spitz, LISWKaren Suggs, LSWIsis TorresRochelle Walzman, RN FiscalVirginia GrahamLinda HiteSusan McLarenMarcitta RobinsonJuanita StawickiHuman ResourcesLakeisha BrooksKelly Welsh

ITJames KlannPharmacyShanay DixonMasha Lashley, RPhJeffrey Morgan, RPhShelley Spain, RPh

Medical RecordsSylvia DavisYvette HarrisCustomer Service RepresentativesFrances ByrdMary DeanLisa HayesVernon LongTomorrow MoffettRaquel SalasAdministrative AssistantsDonna EllisonMarlinda McKellarBoard of DirectorsHinda T. AppleJeanette Brzoska,Vice ChairJoanne E. CookeDonald S. Dalton, MBAGiovanni DiLalla, SecretaryDavid M. Dobranic, BSEwald Horwath, MDDavid M. Kribel, MA, PCC-SDavid W. Lasecki, BAShelley Lipson, BA, CPA, TreasurerRobb F. Reinker, JDEthel Robitson, MBA, ChairMiriam B. Rosenthal, MDWilliam H. Stevens, BASamuel Taylor, JDStephen Werber, JDMolly Wright, MSW, LISW, CCM

Administration, Board of Trustees and Staff


Spotlight on Connections: Women’s Program


Esther Pla, RN, BCPresident & CEO

Gretchen Gardner, MDMedical Director

James Vernon, LPCC-S, LICDC-CS Quality Improvement Director

Jennifer Harden, MBAHuman Resources Director

Jennifer Ludwig, LPCC-SAdult Services Director

West 25th

James Nagle, MBAFinance Director

Mark Johnson, LISW-SDirector, Child/Adolescent

and Adult Services Cleveland Heights

Michele Javorek, LPCC-SAccess Director

Pamela Holmes, BSAdministrative Director

Randall Hyde, RPh, MHAPharmacy Developer/Manager

Randall BradfordInformation Technology Director

Suzanne Boehringer, LPCC-SAdult Services Director

Beachwood

The Women’s Program at Connections

Worldwide, women experience rates of depression that are twice those of men and elevated levels of almost all anxiety disorders. In

addition to this increased baseline risk, women may experience a worsening of mood or anxiety in the week preceding their menses or during the transition to menopause. Pregnancy and the postpartum period are also considered times of vulnerability in the mental health of women. Depression is a common complication of childbirth and affects both the health of the mother and the developmental course of her baby. A woman with a history of trauma may face a reactivation of symptoms during and after pregnancy, which may impact her ability to form an attachment with her child. In addition, the majority of women with chronic psychotic disorders have children and require treatment during and after pregnancy. Despite the high need for services, women who are pregnant or postpartum face numerous barriers to treatment engagement, including stigma, childcare, and transportation challenges. In fact, of those perinatal women who are referred to psychiatric services by their primary care provider, only a minority attends even the first intake visit. On the provider side, there

can also be anxiety about caring for pregnant women as most prescribers have not received specialty training in the population.The Women’s Program at Connections is an innovative program that aims to address the mental health needs of women throughout their lifespan, while actively reducing barriers to engagement in care. It represents a revitalization of the former Perinatal Program pioneered by Dr. Miriam Rosenthal in approximately 2006. Highlights of the program include: • Drs. Jaina Amin and Sarah Nagle-Yang are specialized Women’s Health Psychiatrists who are co-located within the Obstetrics Department at University Hospitals and Connections. They provide informed psychiatric care and act as a link between hospital and community-based services. Together with Sandy Kimble, CNP, they are easily accessible for psychiatric evaluations, consultations or ongoing management at each of our 3 locations. • Mindy Crawley, MSW, LSW, provides in-home counseling to our Women’s Program patients. • Continued high-quality and proactive case management services. • A commitment to the continual expansion of home- based and technology-assisted services. If you can’t get to us, we will come to you! • A true biopsychosocial approach to each patient. The Women’s Program at Connections is committed to improving the care of women in our community. We look forward to providing even more innovative services in the years to come!

Drs. Jaina Amin and Sarah Nagle-Yang


Donald Davies, PC, LICDC-CS Adult/Adolescent

AoD Director

Barbara Krasner, PhDDevelopment/Strategy Director

Donna Schmittgen, RPh Pharmacy Director

Connections in Beachwood24200 Chagrin BoulevardBeachwood, OH 44122

216-831-6466

Connections in Cleveland - West***NEW LOCATION***1400 West 25th StreetCleveland, OH 44113

216-831-6466

Connections at North Ridge Commons

10426 Detroit Avenue Cleveland, OH 44102

216-221-1241

Connections in Cleveland Heights Rockefeller Pointe2490 Lee Boulevard

Cleveland Heights, OH 44118216-831-6466

Connections: Health•Wellness•Advocacy is a contract Agency of the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga

County, certified by Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS), and accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of

Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

Locations

Documents

Connect with Connections - · PDF filelines” as opposed to “programs.” These changes ... for their loyalty and support during these changes. ... at our Westside location