Megan James (center), recreational therapy coordinator for AltaPointe Health’s two psychiatric hospitals, was recognized at the Mobile Community Health Leadership Awards.
MOBILE, Ala. (PRWEB)
May 27, 2023
If you follow the sounds of joy and laughter echoing through BayPointe or EastPointe Hospital, you’re likely to find Megan James, CTRS, in the midst of it all. Megan serves as the recreational therapy coordinator for AltaPointe Health’s two psychiatric hospitals.
Every day, Megan leads a diverse range of activities including games, exercises, sports, and art, with the aim of enhancing the well-being of each patient and progressing towards their treatment goals. However, this Saturday, the spotlight was on Megan herself and her remarkable achievements.
Megan was honored at the Mobile Community Health Leadership Awards, hosted by the Mobile Medical Museum. These awards honor local leaders who demonstrate exceptional dedication in education, awareness, and action regarding Mobile’s most pressing community health concerns.
Dr. Daryn Glassbrook, Executive Director of the Mobile Medical Museum, explained, “We have not previously recognized a recreational therapist and saw this as a prime opportunity to shed light on this aspect of community health and acknowledge Megan’s outstanding work.”
During the ceremony, Megan was commended as “a passionate advocate for recreational therapy, utilizing therapeutic activities and community reintegration to assist individuals with disabilities or debilitating conditions in regaining skills, improving mood, and fostering social connections.”
In order to enhance her recreational therapy efforts, Megan has also trained her two goldendoodles as Certified Therapy Dogs, affectionately named Zeke and Ollie. These furry companions accompany Megan to the hospitals, providing emotional support to both patients and fellow staff members.
Nicolette Harvey, associate director for AltaPointe’s hospitals, expressed immense pride in Megan’s accomplishments, stating, “We are incredibly proud of Megan and consider ourselves fortunate to have her as an integral part of the treatment teams at BayPointe and EastPointe. Our patients face significant challenges, but Megan consistently goes above and beyond to enhance their experience and cultivate an atmosphere of encouragement and enthusiasm.”
Megan was further commended for her commitment to passing on her expertise to the next generation of recreational therapists, serving as an adjunct instructor at the University of South Alabama.
Megan James’ unwavering dedication to improving the lives of psychiatric patients through recreational therapy has earned her well-deserved recognition. Her exceptional contributions and compassionate approach continue to make a lasting impact within the community.
ABOUT ALTAPOINTE
AltaPointe Health is an extensive mental health and family medical healthcare system. Our clinicians provide more than 1.3 million hospital, outpatient, residential and crisis services annually. Rounding out the continuum, AltaPointe operates two psychiatric hospitals serving children and adults, 20 outpatient behavioral healthcare clinics, and a behavioral health crisis center. AltaPointe’s providers also serve as the administration and faculty for the University of South Alabama, College of Medicine-Department of Psychiatry.
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