WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:05.774 --> 00:00:09.285 Speaker: I've really invested my entire career in behavioral health. 00:00:09.685 --> 00:00:13.315 Because of that, I've made it a really intentional path to 00:00:13.315 --> 00:00:15.175 understand all of behavioral health. 00:00:15.565 --> 00:00:19.975 So my early days, I actually started as a therapist, so I have a master's 00:00:19.975 --> 00:00:21.354 in mental health counseling. 00:00:21.754 --> 00:00:23.834 Enjoyed doing that for quite a few years. 00:00:24.104 --> 00:00:27.374 I went on then to run a residential treatment facility for a 00:00:27.374 --> 00:00:28.994 while, both for men and women. 00:00:29.364 --> 00:00:31.404 Then I stepped over into the policy side. 00:00:31.454 --> 00:00:34.304 I worked with the state of Kansas as a policymaker for some 00:00:34.304 --> 00:00:38.064 years and really discovered my love for policy and advocacy. 00:00:38.569 --> 00:00:43.549 Went on to lead a state trade association representing providers all over the state 00:00:43.969 --> 00:00:46.209 and then took that to a national level. 00:00:46.539 --> 00:00:49.809 I worked in DC for several years with the National Trade Association. 00:00:50.089 --> 00:00:53.989 And really to round out some of that experience was my last stop, which was. 00:00:54.309 --> 00:00:58.469 Working as the chief growth officer of a managed behavioral health organization. 00:00:58.709 --> 00:01:03.239 So really being able to experience life both as a consumer of therapy and 00:01:03.239 --> 00:01:08.279 treatment, but also as a therapist, as a leader of a provider organization, trade 00:01:08.279 --> 00:01:12.839 organization, and a payer organization, really helped me to understand best 00:01:12.929 --> 00:01:15.029 behavioral health from every aspect. 00:01:15.299 --> 00:01:19.259 Behavioral health is absolutely so important, both in my life, but 00:01:19.259 --> 00:01:21.209 also how we exist in a community. 00:01:21.539 --> 00:01:24.989 It impacts our families, it impacts our loved ones, our friends. 00:01:25.349 --> 00:01:28.859 And really, if I took a bigger picture, it really impacts the community as a whole. 00:01:29.199 --> 00:01:33.819 As I think of that, what I really quickly pivot to is access. 00:01:34.089 --> 00:01:38.709 That people have the ability to access care when and where they 00:01:38.709 --> 00:01:40.024 need it at the right time and place. 00:01:40.724 --> 00:01:43.664 And really what that does for us is it helps to avoid more acute 00:01:43.754 --> 00:01:47.864 situations or other exacerbations of physical health issues. 00:01:48.134 --> 00:01:52.904 So really I think part of my calling is to make sure that everyone, not 00:01:52.904 --> 00:01:55.964 just those who have the ability to pay, but those that do not 00:01:56.234 --> 00:01:58.574 have access to high quality care. 00:01:59.384 --> 00:02:03.284 I go back to the roots of community mental health and 60 plus years. 00:02:03.645 --> 00:02:06.854 And a dedication to the mission to serving all. 00:02:07.304 --> 00:02:10.755 You have other niche providers that perhaps only see a commercial 00:02:10.755 --> 00:02:14.265 population or they've decided to only serve a group of people. 00:02:14.654 --> 00:02:18.204 I think the roots and the foundation of community behavioral health 00:02:18.204 --> 00:02:22.135 are really, in the name itself, a commitment to all of the community. 00:02:22.765 --> 00:02:26.459 Jefferson Center is rooted to the community and the community to it. 00:02:26.789 --> 00:02:29.699 And the other thing that I just find so endearing is the 00:02:29.699 --> 00:02:31.139 commitment to the mission. 00:02:31.559 --> 00:02:36.354 So the elements of inspiring hope and empowering individuals 00:02:36.354 --> 00:02:38.664 and serving individuals, helping them improve their lives. 00:02:39.249 --> 00:02:40.839 And then service to the community. 00:02:41.164 --> 00:02:45.504 I find that inspiring and frankly, it's really what drew me to the 00:02:45.504 --> 00:02:48.864 organization and so many others who are equally as committed. 00:02:49.344 --> 00:02:52.464 The board, the staff, the executive team, everyone that I have visited 00:02:52.464 --> 00:02:56.004 with is incredibly passionate about what we're doing here. 00:02:56.294 --> 00:02:58.324 And as I said it draws you in. 00:02:58.324 --> 00:03:00.694 It's something to be inspired by and wanting to be a part of. 00:03:00.814 --> 00:03:05.254 The gala was a wonderful experience and what a great way to meet an organization, 00:03:05.254 --> 00:03:06.994 so to speak, at such a joyous event. 00:03:07.869 --> 00:03:12.489 It was resoundingly the same message over and over again, which is what great 00:03:12.489 --> 00:03:14.619 things are happening at Jefferson Center. 00:03:14.949 --> 00:03:19.824 But also I left feeling a great bit of responsibility to continue this 00:03:19.824 --> 00:03:23.424 great foundation and this great commitment of the organization. 00:03:23.664 --> 00:03:26.994 I hope what people find is that I share the commitments that 00:03:27.084 --> 00:03:28.944 everyone in the organization has. 00:03:29.284 --> 00:03:35.039 I am deeply invested in pushing us forward in the most responsible way that 00:03:35.039 --> 00:03:37.109 we can in a very changing environment. 00:03:37.419 --> 00:03:42.579 I think the foundation of innovation the agility to move quickly to meet 00:03:42.579 --> 00:03:44.799 the community's demands and needs. 00:03:44.989 --> 00:03:46.399 I think you will find all of that. 00:03:46.699 --> 00:03:50.069 But on a personal level I hope that folks find me as warm. 00:03:50.299 --> 00:03:53.454 I hope that someday you'll find me as inspiring because that is what 00:03:53.454 --> 00:03:55.879 I aspire to be is inspiring others. 00:03:56.189 --> 00:04:01.429 I think there's a real element of servant leadership that I believe that 00:04:01.429 --> 00:04:06.689 I found, that I've worked with in the past have shared with me that they have 00:04:06.689 --> 00:04:09.359 just loved my passion for this work. 00:04:09.659 --> 00:04:14.639 And that does lead to us all being able to work together and inspire others. 00:04:14.969 --> 00:04:18.599 My family consists of my husband and I have two little girls. 00:04:18.919 --> 00:04:20.509 One is nine and the other is five. 00:04:20.509 --> 00:04:23.569 So we are at that really fun and creative stage of life. 00:04:23.969 --> 00:04:27.529 And we do have a little furry fellow, his name is Emerson. 00:04:27.559 --> 00:04:28.489 He's a Havanese. 00:04:29.284 --> 00:04:33.124 So in between that we keep quite busy between school activities. 00:04:33.224 --> 00:04:36.914 Something fun is my oldest daughter is now in karate, so we get to 00:04:37.214 --> 00:04:40.119 have lots of fun time at karate practice together as a family. 00:04:40.459 --> 00:04:43.879 Her aunt even likes to come and watch, and so we've really made it a family up there. 00:04:44.254 --> 00:04:48.144 I think in the first 30 days, what folks could expect is to have me do it. 00:04:48.294 --> 00:04:50.554 Doing a lot of listening and learning. 00:04:50.654 --> 00:04:53.954 You know, part of coming into this great organization is to understand all the 00:04:53.954 --> 00:04:58.014 programs, the services, really dive into the culture that we've established. 00:04:58.234 --> 00:05:01.324 Dive into our principles and our values, but I want to listen. 00:05:01.324 --> 00:05:03.994 So you'll see me at lots of the locations. 00:05:04.034 --> 00:05:07.644 You'll see me doing coffees and chats, and really learning about 00:05:07.644 --> 00:05:09.654 what's going well in the organization. 00:05:09.894 --> 00:05:12.924 Where do we have some challenges or some barriers that I could help 00:05:13.204 --> 00:05:15.544 work alongside our team to resolve. 00:05:15.934 --> 00:05:17.644 And then really, where do we need to grow? 00:05:17.674 --> 00:05:22.034 What do we need to do differently or better, or pay more attention to. 00:05:22.034 --> 00:05:24.974 To make sure that we're successful in serving those in our community?