Celebrating Recovery: A Full Circle Story

Sep 8, 2022Blog

Recovery Month was founded in the United States in 1989 and since then has grown to be a worldwide celebration of the gains made by those in recovery. Every September, communities come together to “Go Purple” to celebrate individuals in recovery, recovery programs, and service providers that are dedicated to making recovery in all its forms possible.

At Hudson Behavioral Health, celebrating recovery is a daily occurrence as we witness patients experience recovery wins for the first time. For the most part these recovery wins, both big and small, are celebrated behind closed doors for the privacy of our patients. In honor of Recovery Month, we’d like to share the story of Sheila Kroon, whose transformational journey has led her from being a patient at Hudson to now serving as an integral member of our staff.

Q: Can you share with us a little bit about your addiction and what led you to recovery?

A: I started using at the age of 16 and continued until I moved from New York to Maryland when I was 44. Once I arrived in Maryland in 1998, I came to Hudson to receive treatment. I was introduced to 12-step meetings which changed my life and led me in a direction I had no idea God would present me with.

Q: After starting recovery, what inspired you to pursue a career in it?

A: My recovery was life-changing in every sense of the word, and I was so thankful to Hudson for what they did to help me that I was inspired to find a way to give back to the organization and newcomers to recovery. I went to school and earned my Certified Supervised Counselor-Alcohol and Drug (CSC-AD) credentials. Just four years after I entered recovery at Hudson and stopped using, I started working there as an Admissions Counselor.

Q: How do you apply your personal experience in recovery to your career at Hudson?

A: I have to separate my personal recovery from my patients and my work, but my position as an Admissions Counselor means I see patients straight off the street as they’re entering our program. Empathy plays a huge part in the way I approach newcomers, and I’m able to give them what I was given, which is a sense of self and encouragement that they can do this.

Q: Recovery wins come in all sizes – share with us something worth celebrating in your recovery.

A: My biggest recovery win is not to use. Every day is a miracle and I know now that this road of recovery was always my path, I just had to find the road.

Q: Is there a moment in life that you’re proud of that wouldn’t be possible without recovery?

A: Family means everything to me. I have nine grandchildren, one grandchild on the way, and one great-grandchild on the way. I’ve been honest with my grandchildren about my path, and I’m proud to say that none of them have ever seen me use. One of my biggest motivators every day is to set a good example for my family, and for them to know they can always turn to me for help.

Another accomplishment I’d like to share is that during my time away from my position here at Hudson, I opened and ran four recovery houses for people who needed help rebuilding their lives. Giving back to the recovery community is a very fulfilling and rewarding part of my own recovery.

Q: Relapse is a reality in recovery. Do you have any words of advice for those that are currently struggling?

A: After eight years in recovery, I relapsed because I thought I knew better than those who were guiding me. I humbled myself, returned to Hudson for treatment, and started my road all over again. I remind myself as well as newcomers to keep recovery first. If you keep recovery first, everything that’s promised beyond your wildest dreams will happen, but if you put anything in front of recovery, you’ll lose it all. I also like to use the phrase “put the bat down and pick up a feather.” Stop beating yourself up over the things you’ve done – you can’t move forward if you don’t leave the past in the rearview mirror. Don’t forget your past but know that every day you don’t use is a win.

Today, I’m 15 years clean. I’m vigilant every day and I continue to do the work necessary to stay in my recovery. I’ve accomplished so much that I never thought was possible until I came to Hudson. It really is full circle for me – I didn’t just start my recovery journey at Hudson, I started my life here.

Sheila Kroon | Admissions Counselor

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About us

Hudson Behavioral Health was formed in 1980 (as Hudson Health Services, Inc.) to bring the first residential recovery program to the Eastern Shore. Today, thousands of patients later, we remain the leader in recovery programs and resources, with our staff of 100 committed to serving each patient as an individual.

ABOUT US

Joyce Parsons, EdD, RN

Director of Nursing

Joyce Parsons is the Director of Nursing at Hudson Behavioral Health. She is responsible for hiring, training, and supervising the nursing staff, and she collaborates with the Medical Director, Clinical Director and CEO on all major medical decisions.

She received her associate degree in Nursing from Wor-Wic in 1979, her bachelor's and master's degrees in Nursing from Wilmington University in 2011 and 2014 respectively, and earned her Doctor of Education from Nova Southeastern University in 2021.

Dr. Robert A. Coker, D.O., DABAM

Medical Director

Dr. Robert Coker is an internist with admitting and consulting privileges at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Maryland, where he served as Chief of the Department of Medicine from 2005-2007. Dr. Coker is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine (DABAM). He is licensed to practice medicine in both Maryland and New Jersey.

Joshua Pippin

Treatment Housing Manager

As the Treatment Housing Manager, Josh is responsible for overseeing recovery services in Hudson's five Maryland Level 3.1 treatment homes and two Sober Living Homes in Delaware .

Josh joined Hudson Behavioral Health in 2020 as a Behavioral Health Aide, and later advanced to the position of House Manager in which he was responsible for running one of the treatment homes.

Josh is a resident of Salisbury, Maryland.

Kerry L. Turner, MSW, LCSW-C, CAC-AD

Mental Health Therapist

Kerry Turner joined the Hudson Behavioral Health team in 2009. She has worked in a variety of roles leading to her current position, providing mental health therapy in our 3.1 low intensity residential housing program. Kerry holds active Maryland licenses as follows: Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C), and Certified Associate Counselor-Alcohol and Drug with supervisory status (CAC-AD).

Kerry began her career working as a counselor for persons with substance use disorder, after completing an Associates Degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling at Wor Wic Community College. She subsequently completed Bachelors (BSW) and Masters (MSW) degrees in Social Work at Salisbury University. Kerry also holds a Certificate in Advanced Trauma Treatment Level One from the Ferentz Institute.

Rita Mecca

Chief Financial Officer

As the Chief Financial Officer at Hudson Behavioral Health, Rita is responsible for overseeing the financial operations of Hudson Behavioral Health, including $10M in annual revenue, 100+ employees and 10 facilities throughout Maryland and Delaware.

Rita joined Hudson Behavioral Health in 2021. She previously served as Controller of Tyson Foods in Berlin, MD and Airpax Corporation in Cambridge, MD, and most recently was a Senior Financial Analyst at Tidal Health.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Marywood College in Scranton, PA and later went on to earn an M.B.A. from Salisbury University in 2003.

Alex Pullen

Marketing & Community Liaison

As the Marketing & Community Liaison, Alex is responsible for maintaining relationships with community partners and referral sources. Through collaborative discussions with local health officials and other behavioral health facilities, he assesses the needs of the addictions community and works to accommodate those needs.

Alex joined Hudson Behavioral Health in 2021. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in Marketing from Wilkes University in Wilkes Barre, PA.

Michele Sterling

Clinical Director

As the Clinical Director, Michele oversees the daily operations of Hudson’s residential campus. She provides clinical oversight for staff on campus and in residential housing along with providing supervision for Associate, Bachelor, and Master level intern students.

Michele joined Hudson Behavioral Health in 2019 as Residential Lead Counselor. She began her career as a substance abuse counselor after receiving her Associate’s Degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling from Wor-Wic Community College. Michele has worked in a variety of settings including both inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, working with both adolescents and adults. Michele earned her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) from Salisbury University.

Suzanne Caputo

Director of Human Resources 

Suzanne Caputo joined Hudson Behavioral Health in January 2017 as Director of Human Resources. She received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Business from SUNY Plattsburgh in New York. For the last twenty years, Suzanne has worked in Human Resources in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, hospice, and home health care. She specializes in Recruiting, Training, and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS). Suzanne relocated from New York to join the team at Hudson, bringing a valuable perspective from much larger organizations.

Kellie Noonan CRNP, FNP

Kellie Noonan is a nationally certified Nurse Practitioner specializing in family practice and addictions medicine. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Salisbury State University in Salisbury, MD and then earned her Master of Science at Wilmington University in New Castle, DE. Ms. Noonan is also a certified Buprenorphine provider through the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). She holds her national board certification through American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Dr. Efigenio Leynes Bautista, MD

Psychiatrist 

Dr. Efigenio Lynes Bautista joined Hudson Health Services in 2005. He was educated at St. Thomas Aquiras University, School of Medicine and Surgery 1970. He also trained at the Manhattan State Hospital in 1974. Dr. Bautista has worked with individuals with co-occurring disorders his entire career and has extensive knowledge in treating individuals with complex diagnosis including Substance-Use Disorders.

Leah Evans

Director of Compliance & Quality Assurance

Leah started her career with Hudson in 2007 and has been integral in program and project implementation. She has contributed years of experience and knowledge to updating and maintaining our extensive Corporate Policies and Procedures to ensure staff and patient safety, as well as to maintaining our Joint Commission Accreditation. She has been instrumental in obtaining and updating various clinical, electronic health record, financial software systems and methods of documentation within the company. Leah manages the overall purchasing for the company, negotiates vendor contracts, assists in obtaining grant funding and insurance company reimbursements. Leah is also one of the leaders of our company Smile Team, that plans employee functions and fundraising initiatives.

Kelly Pullen

Director of Environmental Services 

Kelly Pullen joined Hudson Behavioral Health in 2013 as Director of Environmental Services. Prior to his employment with the organization, Kelly was a successfully self-employed contractor in and around Salisbury, Maryland. He is certified as a Lead Paint Risk Assessor and is a Lead Paint Abatement Contractor. Kelly has been an integral part of key renovations and upgrades that have been made to both our Harting Drive Campus as well as our transitional housing properties.

Rebecca Kimmons, CAC-AD

Director of Housing

Rebecca Kimmons, CAC-AD is the Director of Housing at Hudson Behavioral Health. She began her career at Hudson in 2012 working at the Broad Street Women and Children's House and on the Main Campus as a Residential Counselor.

As Director of Housing, Rebecca is responsible for the programs and staff at each of Hudson's off-campus housing facilities throughout Maryland and Delaware.

She earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Social Work from Salisbury University, and also has an Associate of Applied Science in Chemical Dependency Counseling from Wor-Wic Community College. Kimmons is a Certified Associate Counselor - Alcohol and Drug (CAC-AD).

Suzanne Caputo

Director of Human Resources 

Shiela Pullen, LPN

Director of Admissions 

Shiela Pullen, LPN, Director of Admissions Shiela’s well-rounded professional history and the extensive knowledge she has gained from the more than 20 years she has spent with Hudson uniquely qualify her to serve as Director of Admissions.

She began her career at Hudson in 1998 as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the Nursing Department. She received a Certificate in Nursing from Wor-Wic Community College in 1990 after which she took a position at Peninsula Regional Medical Center where she specialized in MedSurge Nursing. In 2000, she accepted the position of Director of Admissions at Hudson. In addition to her experience at PRMC, she has also worked as a private duty nurse within the local community.

Shiela’s s dedication and loyalty to Hudson’s mission and its patients results in a warm and welcoming environment for new admissions.

Leslie Brown

President & Chief Executive Officer

Leslie Brown has served in and led non-profit organizations for most of her career in roles that include Controller, CFO and CEO. Her commitment to helping people recover from addiction and find success in daily life is unparalleled.

At Hudson, Leslie is tasked with managing a staff of more than 100 people over a full continuum of care with a budget of over 7 million dollars. She joined the organization in 2005 as Chief Financial Officer and was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in 2011. During her tenure and due to her vision, the organization has grown, increasing its budget by 300% and tripling staff size – both of which are the key to bringing treatment to people across more locations and creating open access. Among her many responsibilities, she oversees the operations and development of an extensive property portfolio, including the 51- bed main campus and 8 satellite facilities.

Before joining Hudson, Leslie worked at a number of non-profits, in roles that include employee and consultant. Her perseverance, skilled strategic planning, and revenue and investment diversification have led to successful and reliant organizations.