In his new role as Recovery Community Director, Chris Raymer lectures on and off campus, providing patients and alumni additional support to help them succeed in recovery. Established as a popular speaker and workshop leader in this field, he is already engaged for appearances around the country. As of early January, his schedule is as follows: January 16 – Recovery … Read More
A Splash of Color and a Sign of Hope
One of the joys of winter is the sighting of a bright-red cardinal sitting amidst bare tree branches or flashing across a gray sky. The male pictured above was resting in the underbrush next to the Serenity Hill walking trail early on January 3. His more-muted mate had just flown on ahead. Cardinals start mating as early as January and … Read More
‘Unsung hero’ retires from Continuing Care
Photo: Sherri Layton presented Pam Searfoss with a coffee mug and compass during Pam’s retirement reception. For the past seven years, Pam Searfoss has been an encouraging voice on the phone asking former patients how they are doing in the days, weeks and months following treatment. As Alumni Followup Coordinator, she tried to check on each of them one week, … Read More
Merry Christmas!
The staff at La Hacienda extend our warmest wishes to you and yours for a Merry Christmas and a hope-filled New Year.
UR Team Becomes Santa’s Helpers
Photo: Part of the UR crew which acquired and wrapped presents for area children. Our Utilization Review (UR) team—the folks who work with insurance providers to maximize patients’ treatment—shared their Christmas Spirit with area children this season. Through several local groups, and with the assistance of Business Development Director Elizabeth Olson, they identified girls and boys for whom Santa needed … Read More
Martin Garcia Wins Cookie Contest
Photo: Martin Garcia ‘s winning cookies and the mixer he won for baking them. For a change of pace, the annual Christmas season baking contest at LaHacienda was limited to cookies only this year. Taking top prize in the 2018 Just Cookies Contest was Family Program Director Martin Garcia with his Stained Glass Christmas Cookies (follow link for recipe). Elizabeth … Read More
What Bill W and Dr. Bob Did Matters
By Chris Raymer Act as if what you do matters. Why? Because it does. –William James December 11 marks the day Bill Wilson, co-founder of alcoholics Anonymous, took his last drink in 1934 when he was 39. After finishing a final beer, he entered Towns Hospital for the last time. (Depending on who you talk to, it was his third … Read More
Chris Raymer Returns to La Hacienda
Photo caption: Chris Raymer and Elizabeth Olson: former instructor and former patient now co-workers at La Hacienda Treatment Center. An old friend is returning to the La Hacienda staff. Chris Raymer, who was Director of Recovery Services when he left in 2010 to pursue other opportunities, rejoins the staff on December 10 as Recovery Community Director. He will develop programs … Read More
Unit Clerk ‘Runs the Show’ in Special Care
Photo caption: Unit Clerk Lynda Baker checks Nurse Manning Reed’s vital signs. Unit Clerk Lynda Baker didn’t know what the job entailed when she applied at La Hacienda in 2002. She just saw the title and imagined it would be like the office work she did for 15 years at the Kerrville State Hospital. “I thought it was a secretarial … Read More
Equal Coverage for Treatment is Law, But Enforcement Lags
Image from the Parity at 10 Campaign. Insurance coverage for treatment of substance use disorders and mental health issues is supposed to be equal to what is provided for medical and surgical services. That was the purpose of the 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act passed by Congress 10 years ago this fall. In theory it sounds simple. … Read More