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Putting the Spotlight on Our Healthcare Heroes

At Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, our employees are heroes in every sense of the word, helping children, adolescents and adults with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences lead more fulfilling and rewarding lives. These committed and compassionate individuals humbly dedicate themselves to serving - and inspiring - others. Look below to read stories that recognize and celebrate Devereux’s Healthcare Heroes, and learn how they make meaningful and positive differences in the lives of those in our care - every day.



Celebrating Devereux’s Healthcare Heroes: 
Spotlight on Mary Jacque – Devereux Georgia Learning Manager


Mary JacqueTitle:
Learning manager
Center/office location: Devereux Georgia – Kennesaw
Length of service: July 1993

In your role, what are your main responsibilities?
As learning manager, I provide leadership and coordinate training and development for employees at Devereux Georgia.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is working with all of our great employees, and being a part of their development.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
The best piece of advice I have ever been given is: “Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you.”

How do you demonstrate Servant Leadership principles on a daily basis?
In my role, I strive to be a “compassionate collaborator” with our many different departments on campus. I frequently check in to see how teams are doing, and determine if there are ways the training department can help and encourage them.

What is one thing your colleagues don’t know about you?
The one thing my colleagues don’t know about me is that I grew up on a farm, and I love everything about country living. Also, I’m a huge New Orleans Saints fan! (Well, many of them may actually know this about me.)

Why are you a Healthcare Hero?
I’m one of many Healthcare Heroes at Devereux Georgia because of how we value and care for each other. Additionally, I feel I make a difference because I try to ensure our employees are aware of the many opportunities afforded to them, while I also help them feel supported.


Celebrating Devereux’s Healthcare Heroes: 
Spotlight on Jacinter Juma – Devereux New York DSP


Jacinter JumaTitle:
Direct support professional
Center/office location: Devereux New York – Red Hook
Length of service: October 2021

In your role, what are your main responsibilities?
As a direct support professional, I have many responsibilities. I support our individuals, ensure their safety by advocating for their well-being, and help them achieve their individual goals. I teach them how to be respectful and responsible, and make sure they have an environment conducive to expressing their wants and needs.

In addition, I teach them skills to help them enjoy their day-to-day life, such as personal hygiene and grooming, and mealtime competencies, as well as other necessary skills, including problem-solving and creative thinking.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is the satisfaction I get from interacting with both the individuals I serve, as well as my colleagues. This comes when I succeed in putting a smile on their faces.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
The best advice I have ever received is to always be part of a formidable team that helps make a difference in individuals' lives. This only happens when one has a positive mindset, that turns challenges into opportunities. Teamwork it is!

How do you demonstrate Servant Leadership principles on a daily basis?
My work revolves around my colleagues, our individuals and their families through face-to-face or online meetings and phone calls. I try my best to demonstrate Servant Leadership principles by internalizing the Seven Pillars of Servant Leadership. When I show up to work, I am always available for our individuals, their families and my colleagues. I put others first in all that I do. I try to be a keen listener, an adept communicator, flexible, respectful to others' ideas, and consistent in my daily actions and interactions.

I also embrace teamwork. With compassion and moral authority, I reflect on ways to have a great future for our individuals and a great working relationship with my colleagues.

What is one thing your colleagues don’t know about you?
I do not admit to failure. I work diligently to achieve my personal goals by following the right procedures no matter how long it takes.

Why are you a Healthcare Hero?
While I do not necessarily see myself as a hero, I help others grow by showing them compassion and empathy.

I also am passionate about helping our individuals meet and achieve their daily health goals. I make a difference by striving to be the reason behind their smiles. This is more satisfying than being reward-oriented. It is worth noting that integrity and health equates to unseen wealth.


Celebrating Devereux’s Healthcare Heroes: 
Spotlight on Joanne Scott – Devereux Pennsylvania CARES School Nurse


Joanne ScottTitle:
School nurse
Center/office location: Devereux Pennsylvania Center for Autism Research and Education Services (CARES) – Downingtown, Pennsylvania
Length of service: January 2006

In your role, what are your main responsibilities?
I provide direct nursing care for students, including first aid, treatment of injuries and management of chronic health conditions. I administer medications and perform procedures according to physician orders and Devereux policies. I am responsible for maintaining comprehensive health records for students, including the review of student immunization status and the administration of annual screenings mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. I work to promote a safe and healthy school environment for staff and students.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is working with the students and dedicated staff at Devereux.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Be kind, be compassionate and treat others with respect and dignity.

How do you demonstrate Servant Leadership principles on a daily basis?
Every day, I strive to do my best with the students in a compassionate, patient and kind manner. I do this in collaboration with the staff at the school and in my interactions with the families.

What is one thing your colleagues don’t know about you?
I was a veterinary nurse for many years before becoming a school nurse.

Why are you a Healthcare Hero?
I certainly do not think of myself as a hero. I am doing the job I chose to do in the best way I know how to do it. It is a privilege to work with our students, staff and families at Devereux CARES.


Celebrating Devereux’s Healthcare Heroes: 
Spotlight on Carolyn Dash – Devereux Pennsylvania – Adult Services Clinical Coordinator


Carolyn DashTitle:
Clinical coordinator
Center/office location: Devereux Pennsylvania – Adult Services – Berwyn
Length of service: 2009

In your role, what are your main responsibilities?
I joined Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services in 2009 as a direct support professional, and transferred to Devereux Pennsylvania – Adult Services in 2011 after completing my master’s degree.

As a clinical coordinator, I carry a caseload and provide supervision and oversight of psychological services by members of our clinical team. I also provide quality control of the delivery of clinical services at our center.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The rewards in my position come in the form of an individual reporting their own success. It means so much to me to support our individuals through life’s ups and downs. Having a close relationship within the residential setting makes this possible.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
“Build up your team.” To me, this means taking advantage of the residential setting in which we work. Someone is always there to continue the work you have started. We have so many caring team members who might just need a little direction. So, take time to build, train and invest in your team – it will make a world of difference in achieving successful treatment and outcomes for our individuals.

How do you demonstrate Servant Leadership principles on a daily basis?
I try to be an active listener. I want anyone who comes to me, whether that be my family, colleagues or the individuals we serve, to leave the conversation knowing I heard them and have taken into consideration what they said.

I also try to be a good representative for our organization. When someone comes to me with a problem, I believe it is important to get involved in the solution.

What is one thing your colleagues don’t know about you?
I love the outdoors, and would choose a mountain home over a beach home any day.

Why are you a Healthcare Hero?
Working in this setting, you need to be willing to do some tasks outside of your role. Whether that be fixing an individual’s phone, picking up a cake for a birthday, or getting your hands dirty during a move – these are all actions that make a difference in the success of our programs and the happiness of our individuals.


Celebrating Devereux’s Healthcare Heroes: 
Spotlight on Natacha Janac – Devereux Florida Clinical Therapist


Justin VeilleuxTitle:
Clinical therapist
Center/office location: Devereux Florida – Broward County
Length of service: 2010

In your role, what are your main responsibilities?
I provide quality, competent and cultural sensitive therapeutic services to children and families in our foster care program. I am also responsible for contributing to, and participating in, treatment planning to ensure my clients receive the best possible care.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is being part of a team that cares about the well-being of the children and families we serve. I am blessed to work with colleagues who share the same vision and passion.

What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
“If you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life.” I believe this to the core, and it is something I think everyone should believe.

How do you demonstrate Servant Leadership principles on a daily basis?
I demonstrate Servant Leadership by showing kindness and gratitude. I believe kindness is one of my greatest strengths as a person and as a clinician – it helps me empathize with the families I serve, as well as my colleagues. I also demonstrate gratitude, because I am extremely grateful for the longevity I have had at Devereux. My gratitude has helped me push forward during challenging times, and has spurred me to strive to become a better version of myself every day. As the veteran on our team, 13 years and counting, I believe it is my responsibility to lead by example by encouraging my colleagues to live up to their full potential. Since I have been employed at Devereux, I have obtained my license in mental health counseling, as well as my doctorate in clinical psychology. I encourage my team members to do the same so we can build a strong group that provides high-quality services to our clients. It is our responsibilities to be accountable partners for our colleagues, so our clients receive the best possible care. Putting the needs of our clients first is what makes our team so great. We may be a very small group in Broward County, but the impact we make in our community is mighty.

What is one thing your colleagues don’t know about you?
There is not much my colleagues do not know about me. We are a small and well-connected group of people. However, if I were to pick one specific thing, it might be that they are unaware of how much of a social change agent I am in the community, and that I recently published a book chapter: “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in a Global Context, Chapter 8, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the Caribbean.”

Why are you a Healthcare Hero?
I am not sure I can call myself a “hero.” However, I do find joy in making a difference in the lives of everyone I meet. I am very intentional about making people feel good and leaving an impact. As humans, we all yearn for a sense of belonging and love. The most important skill a clinician can have in their tool belt is themselves. I have been blessed to work with individuals who may lack a sense of belonging in their lives, and I view myself as the tool to help them become a better version of themselves. I believe it does not take much to leave an impact that can change a person’s view of the world for the better. A little kindness goes a long way.


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