As the shortest month of the year comes to a close, our momentum continues to build. Many of the initiatives and projects that we seeded in 2018 are coming to fruition. Our HR, IT, Safety and Security, and Quality and Compliance Teams have developed an extensive New Employee Orientation process that will run from two to three weeks depending on the positions being staffed. This new comprehensive orientation will give our new staff all of the training and skill development necessary to be immediately productive, and successful in their new roles. Orientation will be conducted once a month and the new format is scheduled to be piloted in March and launched in April.
The Ashley Leadership Academy that was introduced in last month’s newsletter kicked off with the first class of twelve attendees on Monday, February 25th. So far we have identified Forty One potential participants to attend this eighteen-month program.
With Becky Kiersznowski joining us on February 13th as our new Vice President of Clinical Services – Chief Clinical Officer, our Senior Executive Team is now fully staffed. Our Senior Executive Team consists of me, Rich Przywara, Becky Kiersznowski, Father Mark Hushen, Dr. Hobelmann, Alex Denstman, Carla Moore and Andy Flood. Now that we are all onboard we can look for even greater things to happen.
Our work continues on the Ashley Strategic Planning process with all but six departments completing their half-day planning sessions. As you may know, these meetings are designed to identify how each department, and staff member, supports our mission, and I-ACT Core Values, (Integrity – I do the right thing!, Accountability – I own it!, Compassion – I am with you!, and Total Commitment – I am all in!). We are also working to redesign our staff ID badges to include the I-ACT Core Values on the badge as well as incorporating them into our Performance Evaluation and Reward processes.
Dr. Greg Hobelmann recently participated in a panel discussion in Washington DC with several substance use disorder advocates to discuss the state of recovery. The panel included Ryan Hampton, author of the national bestseller “American Fix” and nationally known political activist. It was a well-attended event with discussions ranging from political policy to Medication Assisted Treatment (what we refer to as Medication Supported Recovery). It was an excellent venue to bring Ashley into the wider world of treatment and recovery.
On February 6th, Father Mark held a mass that included the Executive Leadership Team and patient community where together they blessed all the Ashley prayer kneelers before releasing them to the community. These kneelers will be placed in every patient room, and community members are encouraged to begin and end each day in a prayerful, mindful way. The physical act of kneeling, a visible expression of Alcoholic Anonymous steps 3, 7 & 11, connects us to humility and hope. “We kneel to remember that without help addiction brings us to our knees. We rise up with the hope that recovery is possible for us.” Spiritual healing along with clinical and medical care are the Three Pillars of the Ashley Model of Care.
On Thursday, February 21st we enjoyed a night in D.C. at the Four Seasons hotel to celebrate recovery, fellowship and most importantly, love and service. It was a powerful night with amazing human beings who do so much for people in recovery and in their communities. Father Martin was a surprise speaker, blessing the evening during the invocation, keeping the tradition of Ashley alive in all that we do. We were graced with the touching story from Marfé Ferguson Delano and her family’s struggle with addiction, and honored an exceptional member of the DC recovery community Shahab Nasrin.
As always we have a lot going on, and we are working vigorously to build upon the great legacy established by our founders, Father Martin, and Mae Abraham. Our noble mission and hard work continues to be blessed.
Thank you for helping move Ashley towards being the best we can be!
Peace, Becky
