Given that our country has faced crises like the Corona virus pandemic and spikes in mental health emergencies over the past two years, many of us at Recovery Ways feel like we are the luckiest company in America to have a CEO who also happens to be a mental health therapist that deeply cares about our staff, patients, and culture! We are grateful to congratulate our CEO, Jaime Vinck for achieving two years with Recovery Ways!
The difficulty in attracting and retaining employees in today’s work environment has proven that people care about culture now more than ever before. The culture of a company is extremely powerful because it shapes the staff, which in turn directly affects the experience of the patients and customers. Ultimately, the development of the culture of a company rests on the direction of a CEO. Let us share with you some of the recent cultural happenings that took place at Recovery Ways.
This past week under the urging of Jaime, our outreach staff who are located throughout the country were all flown 
into town. Upon walking into the building where we would all be staying it felt like we were walking into a family celebration: fun music playing, balloons, flowers, snacks, and gift bags abounding. You see, Jaime flew out over the weekend along with a few of her departmental leaders, Libby Timmons, Amanda Walburger, as well as Tash Shore, to ensure that this would be far beyond typical business meetings. This was to be a powerful experience that served to strengthen and celebrate what Jaime views as the company’s greatest asset: our staff!
Jaime welcomed each of us personally with hand-written cards and then set an inspiring tone for the events by introducing the theme of “Living to Serve & Serving to Live.” Thus began one amazing experience after another. Staff enjoyed an incredible BBQ made by our center’s amazing Operations Director Jason. We then celebrated not just the delicious dinner made, but the constant service and tremendous value the incredible operations and culinary staff bring daily to our patients! Afterwards, we engaged in a fun night of get-to-know-you icebreaker games that resulted in a lot of laughter and stories.
After a delicious breakfast the next morning, we kicked things off with a brief morning 
meditation and daily positive reading to ponder. Next, it was all about communication and connection as we engaged in a series of improvisational games mixed with mental health concepts to help us tap into our authentic selves, take some risk, and have some fun! We shed some tears of laughter as we partnered up for creative games, came up with new inventions together, and even developed impromptu infomercials for our inventions that were reminiscent of some pretty incredible products (can you say Sham-Wow!)
Our Director of Brand and Business Development, Libby Timmons, who is also 
a seasoned therapist specialized in serving our first responders, facilitated a brilliant training. Calling upon her wealth of experiences, Libby enlightened all of us on the value of a therapist’s time and how to best support professionals in some of the things that matter most to them, such as providing high value resources for families in crisis situations. The importance of honoring the special relationship therapists and professionals create with individuals and families through their countless hours of service brought us to an even greater appreciation for those amazing individuals.
To further connect our team as well as provide an amazing experience in personal development, Jaime had flown in some leadership from one of the Recovery Ways Family of Programs, Lisa and Austin Parker of Breakthrough 
Recovery located in Washington State. Lisa is a certified Brene Brown facilitator and led us through an incredible group where we were able to gain insights into shame, vulnerability, self-permission, showing up, overcoming criticism, and so much more. Being the leader who authentically leads by example, Jaime was one of the first to share and be vulnerable about the reality of the pressures she has experienced and how that shows up in her own process. It was so relatable to us that it brought us to a very real level of connection and shared vulnerability as human beings all striving while all feeling the very real demands of life and work.
We then went covert with wrapping paper, streamers, stickers, and more, as we decorated the office doors and work areas of our amazing teams that work in our Brunswick and Copper Hills 
centers.
The days were filled with amazing trainings from top leaders, professionals, and even a special appearance from Greg Kazarian, The Executive Chair of our Board of Directors who inspired us with heartfelt words about the individuals and families who are impacted by addiction and mental health and the great need in our world for healing and recovery. He aided us in refining Recovery Ways 20 Key Differentiators at Recovery Ways and then hosted a next level dinner filled with many of our medical, and clinical staff.
The next morning we enjoyed a beautiful walk through a local park in Murray, Utah. We were then treated to an incredible training by one of our Vice Presidents, Tosh Shore. He gave a workshop that refined our skill sets and expanded our understandings of the opportunity we have to truly connect with and be in service to the many incredible professionals that serve in the mental health and recovery communities.
One of our most revered long-time leaders who serves as our Admissions Director, DJ Padjen, along with his amazing team arrived and delivered an incredible presentation along with a powerful discussion and Q&A on further
improving the patient and referent experience with Recovery Ways. DJ and his team are on the frontlines fielding calls from those in need of help for their loved ones. They have gained the admiration of thousands of families over the years as they have helped them navigate during crisis situations to find a plan of hope.
Our world-class clinical teams lead by Mike Gaziano and Maren Ernstrom joined us for an incredible team building experience facilitated by therapist Kim Bowman, who put our communication and collaboration skills to the test with a 
Spaghetti Marshmallow Tower building challenge!
Gabby Shoun, our IOP Director and therapist led us through a great presentation and discussion around Omega West. Understanding how Omega Recovery in Austin, TX has become the nation’s foremost leader in combining Tech Addiction Treatment with Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder deepened our appreciation for the delicate balance needed in our modern technology advanced era.
Jaime and Executive Director Maryann Rosenthal have already started planning out additional trainings and team building events for all of the departments for this summer, as not all were able to attend this past weeks events. Additionally, our annual Alumni Retreat held up in the mountains! Staff feeling appreciated, connecting, and growing together is a vital part of today’s Recovery Ways culture and so many of us are honored to be part of a company dedicated to helping those in need that also cares deeply about us as its staff!
