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 Margaret Wilson – Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services Food Service Specialist
At Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, our employees are at the heart of everything we do – and are key to our success. These individuals selflessly give of themselves on a daily basis to help improve the lives of children, adolescents and adults living with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences. Our “Healthcare Heroes” series shines a light on our team members who humbly dedicate themselves to serving – and inspiring – others.
 Title: Food service specialist
Center/office location: Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services – West Chester
Length of service: September 2001
In your role, what are your main responsibilities?
My responsibilities are to provide a healthy and nutritious meal for the individuals we serve at Devereux Pennsylvania Children’s Services, and to follow any specific dietary guidelines according to the National School Lunch Program.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is the camaraderie among my co-workers and the trust I’ve gained from both the staff and the individuals I serve on a daily basis.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
My previous supervisor once told me that my integrity, as well as the love and effort I put forth will be shown through the meals I provide. His words encouraged me to always give 100% in the kitchen.
How do you demonstrate Servant Leadership principles on a daily basis?
As a 21-year employee, my experience has provided me with more than enough knowledge to run the kitchen like clockwork. I try to share that knowledge on the serving line and in the kitchen with new staff. I want our individuals and their families to know their food is made in good hands.
What is one thing your colleagues don’t know about you?
While I may come off as nonchalant about my work performance, and tell others “I’m just doing my job,” the truth is I care a lot more than people realize. I’m just not someone to brag or show off.
Why are you a Healthcare Hero?
What someone consumes for breakfast, lunch and dinner ultimately affects their health. I make it a point to provide the best service possible, especially when we have individuals with specific dietary restrictions (e.g., gluten-free, non-dairy). We, in the kitchen, are essential. Ensuring a child’s health and well-being is just as much our responsibility as it is the responsibility of our medical staff or teachers. I take pride in knowing my role at Devereux is crucial.
Celebrating Devereux’s Healthcare Heroes:
Spotlight on Andrea Lindsay – Devereux Pocono Assistant Residential Manager
At Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, our employees are at the heart of everything we do – and are key to our success. These individuals selflessly give of themselves on a daily basis to help improve the lives of children, adolescents and adults living with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences. Our “Healthcare Heroes” series shines a light on our team members who humbly dedicate themselves to serving – and inspiring – others.
 Title: Assistant residential manager
Center/office location: Devereux Pocono – Newfoundland
Length of service: 2020
In your role, what are your main responsibilities?
As assistant residential manager, I am responsible for creating and leading the residential team, ensuring team members have the tools they need to perform their jobs effectively. I oversee scheduling, monthly meetings, staff training/reviews, safety drills, payroll and staff documentation. I assist the individuals we serve with their appointments and home visits, and I plan activities and outings for them. In addition, I make sure our individuals have everything they need in their house, and that it is clean and safe.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is seeing our individuals and staff with smiles on their faces. Our team members take pride in working in the home we created for our individuals, and our individuals are comfortable and always excited when we come to work. We are a team, and words cannot express the gratitude I have for my staff – they demonstrate compassion and dedication to their jobs and to the individuals we serve every day.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Be yourself and be kind to others. Have gratitude and compassion. Believe in yourself – you are limitless!
How do you demonstrate Servant Leadership principles on a daily basis?
I demonstrate Servant Leadership by being respectful, remaining positive and practicing patience. I put others first and always make myself available to our staff, our individuals and their families.
What is one thing your colleagues don’t know about you?
I am a beautician in my free time. I love to make people feel beautiful and more confident in themselves. It is rewarding to see the joy on their faces after their transformation.
Why are you a Healthcare Hero?
I care about people and I try to make their lives as pleasant as possible.
Celebrating Devereux’s Healthcare Heroes:
Spotlight on Rama Sisay – Devereux Massachusetts and Rhode Island Special Education Teacher
At Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, our employees are at the heart of everything we do – and are key to our success. These individuals selflessly give of themselves on a daily basis to help improve the lives of children, adolescents and adults living with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences. Our “Healthcare Heroes” series shines a light on our team members who humbly dedicate themselves to serving – and inspiring – others.
 Title: Special education teacher
Center/office location: Devereux Massachusetts and Rhode Island – Rutland, Mass.
Length of service: 2020
In your role, what are your main responsibilities?
I teach students math, English, science and history at varying grade levels. In addition to helping students become positive, respectful and patient participants in my classroom, I teach them how to be mindful of their thoughts and feelings, and build trusting and meaningful relationships with their peers and the adults they interact with on a daily basis. I have the amazing opportunity to witness many of my students identify and respectfully communicate their boundaries, while also being mindful of the boundaries of all those around them.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Every day, my students place their best foot forward when it comes to being mindful and respectful of everyone in their presence. In addition to witnessing their social and emotional growth, watching them become more confident in their academic abilities is an incredible pleasure.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
One of the best pieces of advice I have ever received was actually from one of my students. When I expressed how nervous I was to present something to them in the classroom, the student said, “It is better to try and fail, than to not try at all.” This has turned into an everyday practice in my classroom, not only for my students, but also for me, and is something I try to apply outside of teaching.
How do you demonstrate Servant Leadership principles on a daily basis?
I want my students to feel supported, respected and understood. I believe it is important to build a trusting rapport with them. More often than not, my students will reciprocate traits exhibited to them, creating an empathetic and respectful environment.
What is one thing your colleagues don’t know about you?
This is my first “big girl” job out of college. I graduated with a major in sociology and a minor in psychology. I started working at Devereux two weeks after I graduated with my bachelor’s degree, and I began teaching a couple of months after that.
Why are you a Healthcare Hero?
I hope I have a positive impact on my students’ views toward education, and their ability to develop trusting relationships with their peers and adults. Truthfully, I do not consider myself a hero, I just try to make a positive difference in the lives of the kiddos I work with every day by letting them know they are heard and cared for – and they are important.
Celebrating Devereux’s Healthcare Heroes:
Spotlight on Tammy Maguire – Devereux Arizona nursing manager
At Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, our employees are at the heart of everything we do – and are key to our success. These individuals selflessly give of themselves on a daily basis to help improve the lives of children, adolescents and adults living with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences. Our “Healthcare Heroes” series shines a light on our team members who humbly dedicate themselves to serving – and inspiring – others.
 Title: Nursing manager
Center/office location: Devereux Arizona - Scottsdale
Length of service: June 2021
In your role, what are your main responsibilities?
I supervise nursing staff and communicate with all members of our Residential Treatment Center team. I also hire, train and onboard new staff; provide ongoing education; and implement new procedures and revise current ones. Most recently, I oversaw N95 mask fit testing of all staff members who provide direct care to our individuals.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The absolutely most rewarding part of my job is seeing the progress our individuals make during their stay, and then hearing their success stories after they discharge. Being part of a close team is something that makes everything better. Forming strong bonds within the team and bouncing ideas off one another to come up with better solutions allows you to do so much more for yourself, our team and the individuals we serve.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
Take care of yourself first or you will have nothing to give to others. Self-care is not selfish. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.
How do you demonstrate Servant Leadership principles on a daily basis?
I try to treat everyone with respect and follow through on commitments. I exhibit a positive attitude and try to see more than one side to a story. I am patient, listen to others and respond calmly, even in high-pressure situations. I have empathy for others, and encourage colleagues to be the best they can be.
What is one thing your colleagues don’t know about you?
I have five grown children and 13 grandchildren. I was a stay-at-home mom for 19 years, home-schooled my children and then attended college with four of them.
Why are you a Healthcare Hero?
I am passionate about what I do. This is more than a job to me - it is a continuous commitment to show up with the desire to improve individuals’ lives. Nursing in general is stressful and demanding, but when you are passionate, your work is extremely rewarding. I lead with integrity and pay attention to details. I adapt to changing environments, and am flexible and accommodating to new schedules. I won’t ask others to do something I wouldn’t do myself, and I am not afraid to jump in and get my feet wet - literally!
Celebrating Devereux’s Healthcare Heroes:
Spotlight on Paul DelCampo – Devereux New York transition/vocational coordinator
At Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, our employees are at the heart of everything we do – and are key to our success. These individuals selflessly give of themselves on a daily basis to help improve the lives of children, adolescents and adults living with emotional, behavioral and cognitive differences. Our “Healthcare Heroes” series shines a light on our team members who humbly dedicate themselves to serving – and inspiring – others.
 Title: Transition/vocational coordinator
Center/office location: Devereux New York - Mount Kisco
Length of service: February 2020
In your role, what are your main responsibilities?
My main responsibilities include transition planning for students who are graduating, and incorporating vocational skills, both on campus and off, into each students’ daily schedule.
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is being able to observe positive changes in our individuals’ behavior as a reflection of the work we do at the Devereux New York Center for Autism Research and Education Services (CARES). I have never worked with such dedicated and compassionate team members their energy is infectious, permeating throughout our students and each other.
What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
I have always lived by the mantra, “He who expects nothing shall never be disappointed.” In essence, this means to try to enter every situation with no expectations, and seek opportunities for positive experiences rather than anticipating negative ones.
How do you demonstrate Servant Leadership principles on a daily basis?
I demonstrate Servant Leadership on a daily basis when I am assisting in our CARES classrooms. With many new staff, I reach out and ask them how the job is going or if they need anything. I try to offer advice and serve as a positive role model.
What is one thing your colleagues don’t know about you?
One thing most of my co-workers don’t know about me is that I’ve been playing guitar, acoustic and electric, for over a decade. One of my prized possessions is my Epiphone Les Paul Custom guitar, painted black and gold.
Why are you a Healthcare Hero?
In truth, it’s funny to think of myself as a hero. I’m just here to do my job and ensure that each classroom can operate safely and efficiently. While it can be challenging to bounce between classrooms and assist with a multitude of behaviors, at the end of the day, seeing the smiles on our individuals’ and staff's faces makes it all worth it.
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