2023 Employee Awards
Our compassionate and dedicated employees set Peace River Center (PRC) apart. They positively impact lives every day. The Executive Team received an overwhelming number of nominations for this year’s Annual Employee Award categories, highlighting that the PRC Team recognizes and values their members.
Below are this year’s Annual Award recipients who go above and beyond to serve our clients, fellow staff members, and community. Please join us in extending a heartfelt thank you for their selfless, compassionate work.
Victim Services Advocate of the Year: Jeanette Abuchaibe, Esq.
Jeanette brings positive energy to the Peace River Center (PRC) Victim Services team and works tirelessly to be a beacon of support for her clients and coworkers.
She approaches her clients with respect and advocates daily within the justice system to protect their safety and autonomy. She gives her clients the time and opportunity to be thoroughly heard, though she maintains a heavy caseload, and coordinates regularly with other advocates and within the PRC network to see that her client’s connect with other needed resources and services. Jeanette is a strong, empowering individual and displays a needed strength for her clients, but she also exhibits empathy and compassion, both of which are needed and necessary qualities in this field. In doing so, Jeanette accomplishes the best outcome for her clients while keeping with the mission of our program.
She works exceedingly hard to see that her clients are taken seriously and that their rights are respected.
-Cassie Harrell, Outreach Services Manager
Clinician of the Year Award (Child): Myriam Buitrago, Outpatient Therapist
Myriam has been serving children and their families at Peace River Center since 2013 and has always done so with a servant’s heart and respect for families as a whole. She aids in the treatment of mental illness and trauma and can connect with children on their level as she walks them through healing and processing in a way that they can understand.
Myriam is vastly educated and able to utilize many forms of evidencedbased treatment modalities including but not limited to EMDR and Play therapies. She has positively impacted countless lives and families; however, her influence does not stop there. Myriam is always open to leading other professionals and allowing them the opportunity to learn from her experiences. She is always open to lending a helping hand and does so with a smile that invites children to hope again.
Medical Professional of the Year: Jacquelyn Delgado, Psychiatric APRN
Jacquelyn Delgado has been a valued medical team member at Peace River Center for 6 years. Jackie has worked as an APRN in multiple capacities and is currently covering both outpatient and inpatient clients. She has fulfilled the role of Psychiatric APRN through one of the most challenging times in our history to work in the medical field. Jackie’s abilities to provide guidance and leadership ensure those working with her gain knowledge and grow as medical staff. She assists with on call coverage at the Bartow and Lakeland Crisis Stabilization Units, trains newly hired APRNs, helps in outpatient services, and works with students completing internships.
Jackie always displays excellent patient care, nursing skills and deliberate, heartfelt nursing practice. Her approach with her clients is compassionate and empathetic, and her clients praise her for the help she provides. She frequently goes above and beyond to meet her clients’ needs and ensures they are getting the best care.
Clinician of the Year Award (Adult): Mariel Jorge-Laboy, Community Mobile Support Team Crisis Outreach Counselor
Mariel Jorge-Laboy’s joy and compassion show through in her work with clients and her encounters with staff. She works to find the right resources for her clients as they navigate through their crisis. Mariel also makes time to help her coworkers and takes on additional work to support the entire Crisis Services program.
She has the admiration and respect of not only her coworkers but also the law enforcement colleagues she works with daily at the Polk County Sheriff Office Southeast District Office.
Mariel has a calming presence which gives people she encounters hope and comfort in their time crisis. This calm presence is felt any who meet her. She represents the best the field has to offer.
Mariel will advocate for those in need, offer hope to those who are struggling, and provides healing through her dedication and compassion to help others.
-Kirk D Fasshauer, LCSW, FT, Director of Crisis Response
Support Staff of the Year (Non-Clinical): Jessica Lawson, Community Relations and Development
Joining the team in 2017, Jessica has created significant depth in the Community Relations Department and has been a visible presence at Peace River Center locations. She blends professionalism with passion for the mission. The result is an impactful approach to branding and marketing all aspects of the agency. Whether she is undertaking the goal of keeping current collateral in all client serving spaces or brainstorming with a program on how to best get their message out via website, social media or other method, Jessica endeavors to keep the mission and vision central in everything the agency produces. Jessica understands how vital it is for our community to fully realize the impact of PRCs programs and services.
Supervisor/Administrator of the Year: Miranda Mills, Director of Club Success
Miranda has served the community of Polk County for the past five years at our Club Success Program. She has grown personally and professionally throughout that time and has risen from Clubhouse Generalist to the role of Assistant Director and now Director of Club Success.
Miranda displays exceptional skills, unwavering dedication, and profound impact in the field of mental health, specifically the Clubhouse model. Her dedication has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges faced by individuals with a severe and persistent mental illness and the communities Peace River Center serves.
Every day Miranda displays a remarkable ability to build rapport with our Clubhouse members and create a safe and supportive environment for them to continue their individual recovery. Her empathetic nature enables her to effectively supervise her staff, while instilling in them the urgency to create a culture of acceptance and understanding when working with our members.
Miranda practices inclusive leadership and is empathetic as an advocate for Clubhouse members, her staff and the entirety of the Clubhouse model. She inspires all of us in how she facilitates direction with authenticity and transparency, empowering us through expressing emotional intelligence and fostering trust in all the interpersonal relationships built at the Clubhouse.
Club Success Staff Members
Support Staff of the Year (Clinical): Candy Ortutay, Crisis Response Team Program Assistant
Candy strives for excellence in problem solving and patient care. She provides excellent care for clients, often going the extra step to make sure they and their family members are comfortable and secure. Candy sought out additional training to assist in answering the crisis line when other Crisis Counselors are engaged in other assessments.
Candy emulates warmth, humility, and compassion as she serves others and always expresses appreciation to others for their efforts. She brings a positive energy and a personal touch. She easily develops and fosters relationships with staff and clients. Despite the sometimes overwhelming amount of work that everyone must do, Candy consistently finds ways to help her co-workers.