Melissa DiNoto
Why are you nominating this individual?
"At first, I was unsure of the ops role as it removed me from direct care which has been my passion and reason for becoming involved in addiction medicine. But now 2 years into operations, I am able to see the value of having a trauma informed approach streamlined with the operations of treatment.
From facility renovations/updates, to life safety, to the environment of care- I feel that I have a special lens that prioritizes our client care while also holding the highest standards for the safety and facility of both clients and staff.
I have built up my leadership skills over the course of the past decade to build the team that I would like to be a part of. I have had guidance along the way that have supported my growth which I take very seriously with every employee that works at Liberty.
Even as my role has changed since I started in this field in 2007- It all centers back to creating the treatment center that I or my loved ones could heal at and sustain long term recovery.
I am not sure which award I would nominate myself for as this is all out of my comfort zone- but I felt the need to enter because every position of addiction medicine matters."
Biography:
Oddly enough, I am nominating myself because I am extremely proud of my work and my agency. This is something I never would have done for myself as I always find coworkers that are inspiring.
I have been a LADC since 2015 and I am renewing again for another 2 years. I am a CRSW supervisor and have supported many individuals in our industry to build strong careers that help others heal.
In addition to my clinical skills and program development- the highlight of my career has been since I have switched into operations.
I am currently the Director of Operations at Liberty Health Services. My responsibilities include maintaining the State and the Joint Commission standards and regulations. I work very hard at ensuring Liberty is sustainable and operating at its optimal efficiency.
I still run a weekly group as it fills my cup and gives me time to connect and support our clients. I find great joy in the power of group therapy and being a small part of a person's recovery journey.
I also support the Behavioral health team, kitchen operations and facility management. It is a juggling act and we are constantly adapting to the ever changing world of addiction medicine but I do it with my head held high, a healthy team dynamic and with client care being at the for front of all decisions.