RHA’s longest tenured nurse, Marietta “Cookie” Lofton, is celebrating 43 years at the place Where Humans Bloom! This National Nurses Week, RHA expresses our profound gratitude for Cookie and all our nurses dedicated to providing excellent care for the people we serve. We asked Cookie a few questions to get to know her better. 

Describe your role with RHA and overall industry experience.

Cookie: I began my career with RHA in 1980 as a Direct Care staff member on 3rd shift. Over the years, I have been fortunate to fulfill various roles with the Bear Creek facility as an LPN and RN. Currently, I am the RN Team Leader on Blue Bayou. I feel that my integrity, trust, and loyalty to others within the Bear Creek organization has been influential in developing a better medical team and therapeutic relationships with the individuals and families we serve. 

Why nursing? Tell us what inspires you about your work with RHA. 

Cookie: I had never considered a career in nursing, but I feel God always puts the right people in my path to steer me in the right direction. One day while assisting a nurse, she told me that I should become a nurse because of my enjoyment in helping others. So, I began my journey to become the nurse that I am today! I became an LPN in 1991, a RN in 1999, and earned my BSN in 2008.  

Tell us about a time you made a difference in someone’s life through your work.

Cookie: Every day that I have a chance to advocate, promote positive choices, and encourage independence, I feel that I have made a difference in an individual’s life. Throughout my tenure at Bear Creek, I have had opportunities to empower and enrich the lives of individuals who inspire me every day; their unconditional love still melts my heart and makes me smile! 

Outside of RHA, what are your passions and hobbies? 

Cookie: My faith in God and family are two of my strongest passions. I love being grandma to my granddaughter and grand dog. My hobbies include curling up with a good book, shopping for a great sale, or watching Lifetime and Hallmark movies. 

If you’re looking for a rewarding career making a difference in the lives of others, visit rhajobs.com and join our team of dedicated professionals at RHA – Where Humans Bloom! 

Did you know that RHA Health Services employs teachers at many of our service locations? This Teacher Appreciation Week, we want to express our deepest gratitude for their selfless dedication to the people we serve. To celebrate, we reached out to two teachers to learn more about their stories. Bonnie Robbins and Quin Crandle work at our Tar River location, a residential facility for medically complex children in Greenville, NC. Keep reading to learn more about them!

Describe your role with RHA and overall industry experience. 

Bonnie: My passion has always been to work with special needs students, and I am now in my 39th year as a Special Education Teacher. I worked for the state for 31.5 years and served in many positions. I have been a department chair, exceptional children’s contact person, testing coordinator, and behavior specialist. I tried retirement and it just wasn’t for me! 

Quin: I have been with RHA Health Services for over 20 years. Through the years, I have experienced “ups” and “downs” while teaching. The ups outweigh the downs, thanks to the children that have been admitted into this facility.  

Why teaching? Tell us what inspires you about your work with RHA.

Bonnie: I knew at an early age that I wanted to teach students with special needs. I began volunteering with Special Olympics and I knew that this is where I was destined to be. The children at RHA inspire me every day. They greet me daily with smiles on their faces and no matter how bad I feel, they can turn it around with their laughter. I can come in to teach and feel better because my struggles cannot compare to what some of these children go through. If they can smile and be happy, then so can I. 

Quin: Teaching is a great profession and experiencing these children achieving different milestones makes my role so rewarding. What inspires me the most is seeing these children accomplish things they were told they would never be able to do. RHA provides me with the tools to build upon my knowledge as a teacher and to achieve the best outcomes in my role. 

Tell us about a time you made a difference in someone’s life through your work. 

Bonnie: I look at the students and say, “This is what we are going to do today, and you can do it.” My saying is, “You can do ANYTHING!” I have had the privilege of helping many students become productive citizens with employment and the ability to care for themselves. 

Quin: I am a positive influence that helps my coworkers experience the true purpose of their work through correct training. When they allow the smiles on these children’s faces add meaning to their days, it increases their motivation to come to work and see the children happy! 

Outside of RHA, what are your passions and hobbies? 

Bonnie: I love to travel, even if it is just a day trip. I have traveled to many places, and I will continue to travel as much as possible. I especially enjoy reading and being by the water, lake, beach, pool, etc. 

Quin: Outside of work, I am a caretaker for my family members. I am also a crafter and use my creative skills to supply people in the community with custom-made items. I enjoy seeing the reactions on their faces when they receive their products. I have a strong passion for working with people with special needs.  

If you’re looking for a rewarding career making a difference in the lives of others, visit rhajobs.com and join our team of dedicated professionals at RHA – Where Humans Bloom! 

Happy Nurses Week! We’re excited to recognize and celebrate RHA’s extraordinary team of nurses across many specialties; including caring for newborns with medical complexities, and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities or behavioral health needs. 

We truly have the best nurses. They demonstrate exceptional compassion and dedication, going above and beyond to ensure we’re providing high-quality care for the people we serve. 

Our nurses make a world of difference in the lives of people we serve, and we are grateful for their tireless effort. Please join us in thanking our nurses for their hard work and unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of others! 

– Robin Correll, Chief Nursing Officer  

RHA is proud to celebrate these outstanding employees named 2022 Employees of the Year!

Each month, Behavioral Health services directors in Western North Carolina name an Employee of the Month from which they annually select an Employee of the Year. Congratulations to the following employees who have worked hard for this award!

Brooklyn S. is an Employment Specialist with RHA’s Individual Placement Support Team. She is currently working towards a Clinical Mental Health Counseling degree from Gardner-Webb University. Brooklyn says, “I have always had a passion for helping those with mental health and substance use issues. My ultimate desired outcome is to obtain my PhD in psychology, so that I can continue to help the community that I serve and to have a greater impact in the lives of others.”

Brooklyn’s coworkers say: “Thank you, Brooklyn, for the outstanding work you do! Brooklyn is consistent with serving members of IPS get and maintain employment, completing her documentation, and building bridges and partnerships with community stakeholders.”

Shemeca R. is a Team Leader with RHA’s Comprehensive Case Management (CCM) Program. She started her career as a Qualified Professional with RHA’s Asheville-based Community Support Team, and after progressing to a Team Leader role, has grown the CCM program into the success it is today. 

Shemeca’s coworkers say: “Shemeca leads by example, supporting not only her staff in being successful but also those individuals supported by CCM.”   

“Shemeca expects from others only what she will do herself. She is all in when it comes to helping and doing the ‘dirty work’ when necessary.”

Catherine L. is a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist. She is currently working to obtain a Mental Health license.                                        

Catherine’s coworkers say: “Catherine is extremely dedicated to her job. When I think about what it takes to be a great mental health and substance use therapist, I think about Cat. It’s amazing how well she balances the job, especially since she has been in the field for so many years.”                                

“Cat contributes to our team anywhere she sees a need. She has provided transportation to many of the individuals she serves just to help them get to groups to continue in their recovery journeys.”

Bruce J. is the Adaptive Technology Professional in RHA’s Information Technology department.          

Bruce’s coworkers say: “We are so appreciative of Bruce. He is a calm presence when we are experiencing IT panic. Not only is he incredibly competent in his job, he shows such patience with those of us who are less technically inclined.”                                                    

“Bruce puts aside his own agenda on a busy day to help staff members who are struggling with IT issues. He responds quickly to IT struggles and maintains respect and professionalism as we try to navigate new computer systems.”