Dr. Tomaich focuses on employee experience, engagement

Before finding his passion for mental healthcare, Eddie Tomaich, PhD, worked as a CNC machinist, built NASCAR engines, supervised a drywall company, served as a printing press operator, and owned a tavern.

He says that he often worked multiple jobs at the same time to make ends meet. Not only was he attending college, but his first son was born soon after he graduated high school. He eventually dropped out of college and says that it’s unlikely he would have returned to school, but the loss of his father to suicide put his life on a different track.

“My father had been struggling with alcoholism and depression for many years, and he died by suicide,” he says. “After this event, I returned to school full time to complete my bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD. I focused on mental health, and I am very grateful to be working in this field.”

Dr. Tomaich, who came to Rogers in 2011 to complete his pre-doctoral internship, had worked as an in-home family therapist in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where he became familiar with Rogers while making referrals.

“I always had a good experience working with Rogers and saw the great work they did with the individuals I was working with,” Dr. Tomaich says. “I was born and raised in the Milwaukee area and wanted to stay local, so Rogers was my first choice for my pre-doctoral internship. Over the years, I continue to see the dedication of our employees and the great results I have seen with our residents being able to regain the quality of life they deserve.”

After completing his internship, Dr. Tomaich came aboard as the clinical services manager of what was then called the Child Center (now OCD and Anxiety Center for children and adolescents). Over the years, he played a key role in opening several other programs, but the Child Center was always his home.

“I had a lot of other programs, but I always kept the OCD and Anxiety Center for children. That’s a place that was near and dear to my heart,” he says.

Dr. Tomaich now works as the director of Residential Services, but he is also serving as the interim executive director of Residential Services.

When reflecting on what he loves most about his job, Dr. Tomaich says that employee engagement is key. Looking toward the future, this is one of the main focuses and aspects he wants to improve.

“I would like us to continue striving to increase employee engagement and to make Rogers one of the top five places to work in the country,” he says. “People everywhere are leaving their jobs for meaningful work. We at Rogers provide probably some of the most meaningful and satisfying work out there. I want others to know that. I want Rogers to be known as ‘the’ place to work. We have one of the best-selling points ever: we save lives. If you come work here, you see changes. It’s a gratifying job to work with the residents.”

Dr. Tomaich also prides himself on his ability to connect with his care team, something he attributes to his understanding of treatment from the clinical perspective.

“I think one of the things I really had to balance throughout my career here at Rogers was my clinical background and operations,” he says. “I started as a clinical services manager, which eventually moved into an operations role. I do believe that having my clinical background has made me a much better operations manager and director because I understand the clinical needs when making operation decisions.”

Dr. Tomaich has seen many programs and buildings launch over the past decade at Rogers, but the recent launch of the Ladish Co. Foundation Center and collaboration with the Ronald McDonald House Charities® Eastern Wisconsin is something that really stands out to him as one of his favorite moments.

“This has been incredibly beneficial to our residents,” he says. “I am also a data guy, and I can’t wait to see the work that our expanded research department will provide.”

Getting to know Dr. Tomaich

One thing about Dr. Tomaich that may surprise people is that he plays billiards competitively and travels to statewide tournaments.

“I practice self-care by playing competitive billiards,” he says. “I play in tournaments when I can, and I have been playing pool league with the same team for the past 15 years.”

Dr. Tomaich spends a lot of his time with his family, including two sons and two granddaughters. In his spare time, he enjoys doing projects around the house or working on vintage cars and motorcycles. His favorites are his 1964 electric blue Buick Skylark and a 1972 Yamaha Café Racer.

“I love projects,” he says. “Home projects and I work on cars and motorcycles. I like fixing things and keeping myself busy.”

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