Reflecting on a year of expanded residential care

07/27/20 02:34:pm

It’s been a little more than a year since we were able to celebrate the expansion of our Oconomowoc and West Allis residential programs. Since then, we were able to admit 778 more patients to residential care compared with the year before.

Members of the care team for the expanded units and leadership reflect on the joys and challenges that the past year has brought them.

“Our ability for individuals to access care as a result of the expansion has been lifesaving,” says Amanda Vogt, executive director of operations, residential care. Amanda is also thankful for the healthcare heroes at Rogers, who have made it possible to continue this care even through the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s awe inspiring,” she adds.

Michael Marcus, education therapist, started working at Rogers last June after the OCD, Anxiety, and Depression adolescent residential care opened. Looking back on the last year, what sticks out to him is the wide variety of patients and mental health disorders that the program has helped.

“We’re a newer program, and a lot of the people here started around the same time,” he says. “I feel we have been able to grow together organically. This has helped create a real sense of community, and our struggles and successes have brought us closer together.”

Before the residential expansion, limited space meant that some programs had long wait lists, which delayed the ability for some patients to receive care. Daniele Kety, executive director of Admission Services, is pleased to see the impact of the expansion.

“It has been great to see an increase in access to specialized highly effective care for individuals as well as allowing access more quickly,” Daniele says. “This is important to ensure patients and families don’t lose hope while waiting for treatment.”