Every month, NCI profiles a local care manager to help the community learn more about the valuable role they play in our region’s healthcare system.
The “Care Manager of the Month” for October 2017 is Barbara Breski!
Barbara has worked for the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center as an Intensive Case Manager for the past seven years. The Intensive Case Management program is managed by St. Lawrence County Community Services.
To get to know her better, we spoke with Barbara and asked her a few questions about herself and her job:
Our “Care Manager of the Month” for October 2017 is Barbara Breski!
Q1: Where are you from?
“I am originally from Binghamton, NY. I lived in Cortland, NY, for many years and in Syracuse for 12 years before moving to Ogdensburg seven years ago. I graduated from SUNY Cortland with a degree in Psychology.”
Q2: How long have you worked at the St. Lawrence Psychiatric Center?
“I’ve worked in my current position since 2010. I have worked in the care management field for approximately 20 years. My past experiences include working in Family Support Services for Cortland County Mental Health for 10 years, two years inpatient at Four Winds Syracuse and Waiver Care Coordination with children for 4 years.”
Q3: What do you like most about Care Management?
“I like helping people to believe they are more than their illness. In our office, we pride ourselves on engaging the client first and providing a ‘no-judgement zone.’ We work as a team here and have the same values when it comes to working with clients. Case Management is very individualized to the person and what they want to work on.”
Q4: What do you like to do outside of work?
“I enjoy gardening and working on my house. I also enjoy visiting with my family. I have a son who is 29 years old and resides in Rochester and my mom who lives in Binghamton.”
Q5: What’s your favorite movie?
“It’s a tie between ‘Pretty Woman’ and ‘Working Girl’ — I love a good fairy-tale ending.”
Q6: Is there anything you want others to know about you or Care Management?
“Care Management really can make a difference if there is mutual respect and trust. It’s rewarding to see people become successful in the community instead of returning to inpatient care. You really have to have a passion for this type of work.”
Check back in November to see who our next Care Manager of the Month will be!
Do you have a care manager you’d like to nominate? Contact eshustack@northcountryinitiative.org or sraso@fdrhpo.org!