Rogers Behavioral Health, Oconomowoc, 2023 Community Benefits
Bringing Systems Together to Provide Integrated Treatment to Teens Experiencing Chronic Pain and Mental Health Challenges
Rogers Behavioral Health, Children’s Wisconsin, and the Medical College of Wisconsin are collaborating on an innovative care model that creates better access to mental and behavioral healthcare for Wisconsin teens.
The Integrated Healing Program is an intensive outpatient program for teenagers struggling with debilitating pain and related functional disorders along with depression and anxiety. This unique program combines a team of multidisciplinary experts that include Rogers' child and adolescent psychiatrists and psychologists, along with medical, health psychology, and physical therapists from the Jane B. Pettit Pain and Headache Center at Children's Wisconsin.
More than 100 teens have received treatment in the program with over 90% of patients showing overall improvement in physical functioning, pain reduction, quality of life, and emotional well-being.
“This program treats teens holistically by addressing their physical, emotional, and social needs and gives families a much-needed care option for a patient population that is difficult to treat and often overlooked”, says Gregory Evangelatos, MD, board-certified attending psychiatrist at Rogers Behavioral Health in Brown Deer. He adds, “It’s gratifying to work alongside Children’s Wisconsin and the Medical College of Wisconsin to deliver this unique, comprehensive, and personalized care to teens who are suffering.”
The Integrated Healing Program is an intensive outpatient program for teenagers struggling with debilitating pain and related functional disorders along with depression and anxiety. This unique program combines a team of multidisciplinary experts that include Rogers' child and adolescent psychiatrists and psychologists, along with medical, health psychology, and physical therapists from the Jane B. Pettit Pain and Headache Center at Children's Wisconsin.
More than 100 teens have received treatment in the program with over 90% of patients showing overall improvement in physical functioning, pain reduction, quality of life, and emotional well-being.
“This program treats teens holistically by addressing their physical, emotional, and social needs and gives families a much-needed care option for a patient population that is difficult to treat and often overlooked”, says Gregory Evangelatos, MD, board-certified attending psychiatrist at Rogers Behavioral Health in Brown Deer. He adds, “It’s gratifying to work alongside Children’s Wisconsin and the Medical College of Wisconsin to deliver this unique, comprehensive, and personalized care to teens who are suffering.”
Community Coalition Supported by Rogers Behavioral Health Works to Reduce Stigma, Inspire Action
Rogers Behavioral Health supports the Wise Initiative for Stigma Elimination (WISE), now a national coalition of organizations and individuals building resilient and hopeful communities by promoting inclusion and support for all who are affected by mental health and addiction challenges.
In collaboration with Rogers, WISE advances evidence-based practices for stigma reduction. People with mental health challenges sharing their recovery experiences in a credible way is the best-known way to reduce stigma. The coalition promotes the power of strategic contact with those in recovery to end stigma in schools, healthcare, congregations, and workplaces.
WISE committees that include community members plan speakers for quarterly virtual meetings that are free and open to all. The gatherings explore topics in the mental health field. This year’s meetings focus on Addressing Stigma at the intersection of substance use disorders and mental health. Experts in the field present and allow time for discussion and Q&A.
In Wisconsin, the Rogers team also represents WISE at a collaboration of 30+ organizations known as the Mental Health Civic Action Team. That team looks at ways non-profits can pool resources and assist one another in reaching out to the greater Milwaukee community to assist with mental health and substance use services.
The eliminatestigma.org website is a wealth of information for families, individuals, professionals around stigma and mental health challenges and is updated regularly with patient stories, blogs, and other relevant content.
In collaboration with Rogers, WISE advances evidence-based practices for stigma reduction. People with mental health challenges sharing their recovery experiences in a credible way is the best-known way to reduce stigma. The coalition promotes the power of strategic contact with those in recovery to end stigma in schools, healthcare, congregations, and workplaces.
WISE committees that include community members plan speakers for quarterly virtual meetings that are free and open to all. The gatherings explore topics in the mental health field. This year’s meetings focus on Addressing Stigma at the intersection of substance use disorders and mental health. Experts in the field present and allow time for discussion and Q&A.
In Wisconsin, the Rogers team also represents WISE at a collaboration of 30+ organizations known as the Mental Health Civic Action Team. That team looks at ways non-profits can pool resources and assist one another in reaching out to the greater Milwaukee community to assist with mental health and substance use services.
The eliminatestigma.org website is a wealth of information for families, individuals, professionals around stigma and mental health challenges and is updated regularly with patient stories, blogs, and other relevant content.
Rogers Behavioral Health Grows, Develops Workforce Through Innovative Approaches
Rogers Behavioral Health is transforming HR practices to be responsive to changing workforce needs. Three recent workforce initiatives are making a significant difference:
First, Rogers retooled its approach to onboarding new employees, focusing on the window from the time a candidate accepts an offer through the first 100 days of employment. This experiential approach includes a combination of traditional classroom learning blended with enhanced peer coaching and support from leadership.
In addition, Rogers has implemented a leadership curriculum developed in house by doctorate prepared instructional designers and a variety of subject matter experts to create a custom curriculum to specifically suit the needs of Rogers’ organization.
Finally, Rogers is intensifying training to ensure employees are well equipped to address challenging situations they encounter, particularly related to patient safety with those in a mental health crisis. Rogers has increased training of all patient care team members beyond regulatory requirements for nonviolent crisis intervention. Strengthening skills increases the job satisfaction of the team, which in turn improves their performance and reduces turnover.
“Our approach to employee experience centers on connection to Rogers values of Compassion, Excellence, and Accountability,” said Jamie Wood, executive director of transformation. “We are always improving our methods and prioritize learning at all stages of our teammates’ development."
First, Rogers retooled its approach to onboarding new employees, focusing on the window from the time a candidate accepts an offer through the first 100 days of employment. This experiential approach includes a combination of traditional classroom learning blended with enhanced peer coaching and support from leadership.
In addition, Rogers has implemented a leadership curriculum developed in house by doctorate prepared instructional designers and a variety of subject matter experts to create a custom curriculum to specifically suit the needs of Rogers’ organization.
Finally, Rogers is intensifying training to ensure employees are well equipped to address challenging situations they encounter, particularly related to patient safety with those in a mental health crisis. Rogers has increased training of all patient care team members beyond regulatory requirements for nonviolent crisis intervention. Strengthening skills increases the job satisfaction of the team, which in turn improves their performance and reduces turnover.
“Our approach to employee experience centers on connection to Rogers values of Compassion, Excellence, and Accountability,” said Jamie Wood, executive director of transformation. “We are always improving our methods and prioritize learning at all stages of our teammates’ development."
