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RPC home > Superintendent Messages Index > Message from the Superintendent (September 30, 2005)

Riverview Pychiatric Center

Message from the Superintendent (September 30, 2005)

I hope everyone had a good week.

I would like to call your attention to several things this week.

I will be on vacation next week and in my absence, Jamie Morrill will assume my duties. If any of you haven't had the chance yet to take your vacation, as you all know, the fall season in Maine is a great time. Coming from "away", I am continually impressed with the seasonal beauty of this state.

Yesterday, Jamie, Dr Nelson and I had a chance to visit Spring Harbor and look at their short-term, assessment/stabilization program. We will be exploring something similar here at Riverview for the Criminal Justice/Jail system and I will get back to you with more information as it develops. Also know that during that meeting, Spring Harbor staff were very complimentary to what we do here at Riverview. That’s always great to hear, so thanks.

Next week is "National Health and Food Service Week". As I mentioned above, we get lots of compliments on what we do here, and the "Food Service" dept consistently receives high marks for the nutritious and tasty food offerings, including snacks delivered 2X a day to all the units. Kristen will be having a little recognition next week (which not surprisingly will involve food), and since I won't be here to thank them personally at that celebration, I will pass on my appreciation here and now. Thanks to all the food service staff, great job. I would ask all of you, sometime over the next few days, to think about what a terrific job dietary does, and send them your own personal thanks for their work.

In addition, next week is Mental Health Awareness Week; Lauret Crommett is planning a reception and will get the information out on Monday. This is a National Observance created by a Presidential proclamation in 1990 and recognition of the important work EVERYONE does here at Riverview Psychiatric Center.

The new "staffing program" officially takes hold on Monday. Staffing coordinators for the Civil (Billie) and forensic (Reggie) will be occupying the current NOD office on the second floor, between upper Kennebec and Saco. The NOD office will move to the office beside the DON (Arlene's) office. Units are working on their on-going staffing plans and if you have questions….please see Colleen Cutler /Billie for Upper/Lower Kennebec, and Barbara Mispilkin /Reggie for Upper/Lower Saco issues.

Finally, for the past several weeks, Ron Moores and his IT staff have been working on a Riverview Web site. It is not completed, and ready for going "live" (although that IT expression in a medium that consists of numeric bits/bites/and virtual reality always makes me smile). Ron will be getting out shortly, to all Riverview Staff, instructions in how to access our Web site for your review…..and your comments.

As always, I appreciate your effort this week

David Proffitt
Superintendent

One of my favorites, "No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit." - Helen Keller