Posts Tagged “Minnesota”

Tell us about yourself!

I’m Liza, the Behavioral Health Technician Manager at the Anna Westin House for Adults in Saint Paul, Minnesota. I’ve been with The Emily Program for three years now. I was originally hired as a Behavioral Health Technician (BHT).

Tell us about yourself!

Hello! My name is Lacey Fischer, I am a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) at the Anna Westin House in St. Paul, Minnesota. 

I’ve been a nurse since 2004 and previously worked in a clinical family practice in a small rural town alongside one of the area’s busiest and most well-known providers until his retirement. (Fun fact: the doctor I worked with delivered me when I was born! I always joked, “Well, somebody had to grow up and be your boss!” He loved telling that story as much as I did. We are still good friends to this day.) 

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Kevin Quigley and I’m a Kitchen Manager (Cook III) at the Anna Westin House for Adults in St. Paul, Minnesota. I have been with The Emily Program for three and a half years.

Most people don’t realize that binge eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder. In fact, BED is three times more prevalent in the U.S. than anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa combined. And in addition to the millions of Americans diagnosed with BED, many more are living with a pattern of binge eating or compulsive overeating, conditions often diagnosed as Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED).

Despite the prevalence of binge eating disorder and OSFED with a pattern of binge eating, few treatment options are specifically designed to address the unique needs of those affected. Treatment has traditionally been offered in mixed-diagnosis settings that serve people with all types of eating disorders. While these programs do provide an opportunity for intervention and growth, individuals with BED or OSFED with a pattern of binge eating often report feeling unseen, unheard, or misunderstood.

To address this reality, The Emily Program has introduced CARE IOP, a virtual intensive outpatient program specifically for people with binge eating disorder or OSFED with a pattern of binge eating. This stand-alone program is designed to address the unique needs of those struggling with these conditions and honor their diverse and intersectional experiences.

Tell us about yourself!

Hello! My name is Sam. I am a phone intake therapist at The Emily Program. I am licensed as a clinical independent social worker and have been with The Emily Program for two years. I work remotely with clients seeking eating disorder care over the phone. I have worked in many different types of settings in my short career and have loved the experience the variety has provided me! My husband and I have a super cool pooch named Kevin. He is a French bulldog/miniature Australian shepherd mix who is stubborn, smart, and dapper. When I am not working, I enjoy hiking, riding my bike, reading, watching movies and documentaries, playing video games, and photography.

Tell us about yourself!

Hello, I am Melissa (she/her), and I am a Registered Nurse at the Anna Westin House for Adults (AWH) located in St. Paul, Minnesota. I’ve been at AWH for almost three years and currently work straight overnights, which I love. Before nursing, I was a medical assistant and worked in a maternity care center and an OBGYN clinic! I also do some volunteer EMS work for a small town close to where I grew up.

Describe the path that led you to The Emily Program.

I’ve always had a passion for healthcare but not always in the direction of typical medicine; due to some poor personal experiences, I have tended to resonate with a more holistic approach. I knew I wanted to change the patient experience but didn’t know what path or field I wanted because I had interests in several areas of healthcare (emergency medicine, pediatrics, labor, delivery/women’s care, and finally, MENTAL HEALTH!). Part of what I love about nursing is the ability to move around to different specialties and passions. I decided to follow my interest in mental health as there is still such a large stigma and I didn’t personally know many people who wanted to take this on professionally.

What led me to TEP is my interest in substance use disorders (SUDs)/recovery support and the incredible crossover and similarities between SUDs and eating disorders (EDs). I had a friend who was working for TEP, and although I really didn’t know much about EDs, I knew she loved the culture of the company, so I decided to interview and here we are.