Celebrated annually during the first week of May, Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) is a national event and time set aside to honor those serving our nation as federal, state, county, and local government employees. ODMHSAS employees contributed to this month’s blog, offering their thoughts on serving the great state of Oklahoma.
“Public service means putting the needs of others before yourself. It means working with others who share your passion and dedication to serve others.”
Durand Crosby, Chief Operations Officer
“Public service means I get to go to work every day knowing that I am making the world a better place. I serve because this is the best way I can give back to my community.”
Rich Edwards, Chief Financial Officer
“Public service is elevating the voices of all Oklahomans, connecting what it is that they want and desire to better improve their lives. It’s all about connection – connection to services, connection to each other, and connection to hope.”
Heath Hayes, Chief Communications Officer
“Public service to me means making people's lives better. The people we serve, the people we work with, strangers, friends, family, everyone! I serve because it brings joy. We are all in this life together; it's energizing to see us making life better for one another.”
Wendy Larsen-Bond, Senior Director of Program Enhancement
“To me, public service is all about making a difference in the lives of people in our State. Making citizens’ lives more enriched by bringing forth services and support to help each individual navigate the ups and downs and to ensure they can live their best life possible and reach their full potential. I can think of nothing better than dedicating my life to improve the lives of others. To me, it’s why we are put on this earth.”
Carrie Slatton-Hodges, Commissioner
“As an employee of ODMHSAS for the past 11 years, public service to me is providing behavioral health services and resources to ANY and ALL Oklahomans. I serve because I believe in helping people that may not always be at the top of most people's list of who they would choose to help. I like making a difference. As a public servant myself, we sometimes struggle with asking for support. Sometimes the hours in which we work or the hours in which we need support aren't always within an 8 to 5. Sometimes I just need something simple to use whenever I want to supplement some of the adaptive coping skills I already have. The new Wysa app is a great tool for ODMHSAS public servants to have in our tool belt when we are struggling with a variety of issues including stress, anxiety, sleep issues, and more. This doesn't replace a therapist or a positive human support system, but it does add a tool when they may not be around.”
Tony Stelter, Director of Recovery Supports
“Being a public servant means having a chance to use my life experiences to support, encourage, inspire, and help others who are in a similar situation as I once was. It means walking with consumers on their life journeys and being a positive role model to those around me in both the consumers we serve and the employees that represent the state of Oklahoma. It means being a strong representative and advocate for the improvement of the behavioral health services in Oklahoma. I serve because recovery is my passion and purpose. Serving gives me the opportunity to help others the way I once was helped.”
Amber Valdez, Recovery Support Training Specialist
“Public service means dedicating your life's work to leaving a lasting positive impact for others. I want to create more opportunities for people to have happy, healthy lives and be surrounded by others with the same mission.”
Nisha Wilson, Chief Clinical Strategy Officer
“Public service is the opportunity to create networks of change, to reach citizens who need assistance, and to create pathways that allow all people the same possibility. It is my mission in public service to meet people right where they are, to infuse resources, grow services, and improve lives.”
Jessica Wisdom, Chief Clinical Integration Officer
