Tag: North Carolina

Nurses Week Spotlight: Miranda Desmond and Brittany Calhoun

In Maiden, NC, an RHA Health Services team of dedicated professionals shape the lives of those they serve every day. This Nurses Week, Miranda Desmond, RN, and Brittany Calhoun, LPN, two nurses with unique journeys, share their stories of passion and purpose working at RHA. 

Having been an IDD Nurse at RHA for three years, Miranda remains deeply connected to her work and the individuals she supports. She purposefully journeyed back to serving the IDD population after starting a family and found a role that allows her to provide compassionate care. “Here at RHA, you always have that opportunity to make someone smile, make their day,” Miranda remarks.   

One of Miranda’s most recent, rewarding experiences has been building a top-notch nursing department in Maiden, NC. Her valued team includes Pam, Cassie, Brittany, and Savannah. Miranda says, “I couldn’t ask for a better team. They’re more than just nurses and clerks. They’re amazing people too.” As a unit, they are constantly in collaboration to come up with a plan to help best support the health and safety of all the people supported. 

“When I applied at RHA, I didn’t know what I was getting into. I didn’t technically know what IDD stood for,” admits Brittany. “Now, these individuals are practically family to me, and I absolutely love it.” Beyond addressing their disabilities, Brittany focuses on nurturing the individuals she serves abilities and fostering a sense of self-reliance. 

Joshua Correll, a person served at RHA Health Services in Maiden, NC, shares his gratitude for the nursing team’s support. “I like to see my buddy, Brittany. The nurses are nice. They make sure I’m fed. A long time ago, I hurt my knee. They had to wrap it in an ace bandage,” shares Joshua. 

For Brittany, every day presents an opportunity to infuse love and compassion into the lives of the individuals enrolled in the Maiden Day Program. She reflects, “I’ve personally grown as a nurse. I remember being shy and, in my shell, and this [role] helped me come out of my shell and made me a more confident nurse.”  

Miranda and Brittany’s ongoing journey at RHA Health Services serves as an inspiration for aspiring IDD nurses. Their unwavering dedication to nursing excellence beyond Nurses Week continues to enrich the Maiden community, leaving a lasting impact on those they serve. 

To learn more about nursing opportunities at RHA Health Services, visit rhajobs.com. 

RHA Welcomes Mickey Atkins as New President for North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania

RHA has carefully considered candidates as RHA’s President since the departure of Nick Sulaiman. We are pleased to announce the search is over as we welcome Mickey Atkins as RHA’s President of North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania.

“Our company was built on highly relational and dedicated leaders with exceptional experience in serving people living with an intellectual disability, and mental health or substance use needs. Serving this community is one’s greatest honor, and Mickey demonstrates this commitment and experience,” says Jeanne Duncan, RHA’s Chief Executive Officer.

A healthcare executive with almost 30 years of experience in both growing and managing community-based healthcare companies, Mickey’s career started as a CPA and CFO. During these years, he managed all financial aspects of the company, along with acquisitions and legislative efforts.

In 2006, he moved into the CEO role for D&S Residential Services. During his 15-year tenure with D&S, he built a strong management team and ensured the company’s quality remained at the forefront of operations. His dedication to supporting individuals through a person-centered approach was the foundation of the company’s mission and vision.

“I am thrilled to be joining a team that I have admired for some time. This opportunity to continue to support individuals in the community as part of RHA Health Services is exciting and I look forward to sharing my knowledge and skills with the team to add to the great work already being done,” says Atkins.

Mickey lives in Austin, Texas with his wife of 36 years. He has two daughters and one granddaughter. He likes playing golf with friends, traveling with his wife, and listening to good singers/songwriters of country music.

Employee Spotlight: Celebrating RHA Team Leads at the Place Where Humans Bloom!

Carlina S. and Nicole K. are Team Leads in North Carolina who recently celebrated five years with RHA.

Carlina is a Peer Support & Bridge Home Team Lead for RHA along the coast of North Carolina. Carlina began her journey at RHA as a Qualified Professional on the Transitional Management Services team in New Bern, a role she filled for a little over three years before transitioning to her current role as Team Lead over the Peer Support Team almost two years ago. In her current role, Carlina has been an instrumental part in establishing two new Trillium Bridge Recovery Homes in Greenville, North Carolina. Under Carlina’s leadership, the programs have seen such impressive success and growth in the Community Peer Support team’s caseload that they were able to split the team into two community Peer Support teams – one serving Greenville and New Bern, and the other serving Craven, Carteret, Edenton, and Elizabeth City.

Carlina is admired by her coworkers and has been referred to by peers as a great example of a strategic leader.

Nicole K. is a Transitional Management Services (TMS) Team Lead, also located along the east coast of North Carolina. Since Nicole came on board five years ago, she has been instrumental in training leaders within the company — Carlina being one of them.

Nicole maintains a full caseload and is often the first point of contact by Trillium Health Resources when they have a new member who needs to be transitioned to a TMS team in the New Bern area. Nicole is reported as  willing to drop everything to see a new individual and get them started with services. Coworkers described Nicole as a leader that is invested in the wellbeing of people, and someone who would willingly sacrifice anything to help a person supported.

We are so grateful to have Nicole and Carlina at RHA, and for the work that they are doing to help people we support live their best lives.

Interested in joining our team? Visit rhajobs.com to view available positions near you.

RHA Team Members Named 2021 Most Valuable Clinicians

RHA’s Buncombe County CST Team comprised of Carolyn S., Cecilia H. & Aaron G. were recently awarded the Most Valuable Clinicians of 2021 award by the North Carolina IPS Coalition. 

“The CST Team embodies the tenant of integrated behavioral health services and employment. They assist with concrete needs (e.g., identification and exploring job interests) and provide critical support and communication around symptom management and wellness tools. They are a great team to partner with!”

Congratulations to Aaron, Cecilia, and Carolyn for their outstanding work. We are grateful to have you on our team!​

The award winners are pictured left to right.
From left to right: Aaron, Cecilia, Carolyn.