2024 Annual Awards

2024 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: Alexandria “Allie” Figueroa, Victim Services Program Assistant, Crystal Lake

Allie’s support to the Peace River Center Victim Services team is above reproach. Without Allie’s intentional consistency we would fall behind. She has a bright and welcoming personality, and her generosity and kindness never goes unnoticed.

Allie champions teamwork and collaboration amongst other PRC
departments that she coordinates with and strives to ensure our survivors are supported holistically. Although her title is Program Assistant, she is an Advocate at heart. She is passionate about getting survivors the services they need. When a survivor arrives for an appointment, she assures they are comfortable while they wait. She is always seeking ways to improve the presence of the office and ensure the most accurate resources are available to survivors.

She is dedicated to the vision of Victim Services, to educate and promote safety within our community. Allie is constantly educating survivors over the phone and assessing their needs, as well as their safety. She accompanies the outreach staff on community events to help educate attendees on our services. She explains our program services to so many community members calling in for information. Allie does all these things without complaint. Alexandria “Allie” Figueroa is a star to our program.

Clinician of the Year Award (Child): Emma Warrington, BHS Therapist, Williamsburg

Emma has worked with Peace River Center’s Children’s Services since 2021 when she was hired as a Therapeutic Behavioral Onsite Services (TBOS) therapist for the Resiliency Team. Since that time, Emma has grown both in her clinical skills and expertise working with children. She became a Registered Clinical Social Worker Intern in 2022 and was promoted to Children’s Therapist in 2023 when Peace River Center launched the Children’s Resiliency Campus to include expanded office-based therapeutic services. Emma recently completed the certification of Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) and has been instrumental in piloting the Children’s Services PCIT program to provide therapeutic support to families with children ages 2-7 years old.

In addition to her academic expertise, Emma is a kind, compassionate, and caring provider. She easily builds rapport with parents, professionals, adolescents, and children. She collaborates effectively with the families she serves to provide consistent support while facilitating recovery. She is also well liked by her peers. Emma goes the extra mile to connect with not only those on her immediate team but also within the department. Emma is willing to lend a helping hand when needed, including offering to take on additional clients when staff are out of the office or allow interns to shadow sessions when appropriate. She is also an excellent representation of self-care. While the work she does is hard, Emma is able to maintain healthy boundaries and provide quality support even in the midst of a crisis. Emma is a true example of what it means to serve both children and their families with excellence.

Medical Professional of the Year: Mignon Burr, Senior Director of Nursing, Lakeland and Bartow Crisis Campuses

Mignon Burr, Senior Director of Nursing has exemplified outstanding professionalism, exceptional skills, and unparalleled expertise. She oversees the Lakeland Crisis Stabilization Unit, the Bartow Crisis Stabilization Unit, and the Short-Term Adult Residential Unit. She holds the title of Infection Control Officer for Peace River Center, serves on the Safety and Risk Management Committee, Seclusion and Restraint Committee, Infection Control Committee, and Medical Services Committee.

Mignon epitomizes professionalism in every aspect of her work. She consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, ethics, and accountability. Whether interacting with colleagues or clients, she consistently exhibits a level of professionalism that commands respect and admiration.

What truly sets Mignon apart are her remarkable skills and expertise in client care. She possesses an unparalleled depth of knowledge and understanding in her role, which she leverages to achieve exceptional results. Her ability to advocate for the best client outcomes has not only contributed to the success of her team but has also earned her the admiration and respect of her peers and staff.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Mignon embodies the qualities of a true leader – humility, empathy, and a genuine concern for the well-being of her team members. She goes above and beyond to ensure that her team feels valued, supported, and motivated to achieve excellence.

Clinician of the Year Award (Adult): Madison Wristen, Forensic Specialist, Main Street Suite A

Madison Wristen has worked with the Peace River Center Forensics Department for two years. Since that time, she has proven to be a valuable asset to the Forensic Team as evidenced by her attention to detail, relationships with the Circuit 10 Judges and Attorneys, and her ability to deliver high-quality clinical care to her large caseload of clients with little or no direct supervision. Madison is flexible and can prioritize job duties with excellence.

Madison teaches Competency Restoration to a group of her clients on a weekly basis and her end of the month reports to the court are timely. When needed, she is available to offer a helping hand to any member of the Forensic Team.

Support Staff of the Year (Non-Clinical): Sherrie Baccamazzi, Director of Receivables Management, Main Street

Sherrie Baccamazzi has possessed outstanding professionalism, exceptional skills, and unmatched expertise. Sherrie is the Director of Receivables Management at Peace River Center. She oversees the AR and Billing team at Peace River Center, serves as a member of the Leadership Committee, the Clinical Information Systems Committee, and supports the Quality Council.

Sherrie epitomizes professionalism in every aspect of her work. Sherrie has an exemplary knowledge of billing and coding rules and requirements and is a significant reason why Peace River Center is able to thrive. Whether interacting with colleagues or clients, she consistently exhibits dedication and patience, as we all pepper her with questions and try to glean from her understanding.

Sherrie’s work ethic is admirable, she will work until the task is complete and the job is done to make sure that PRC is able to obtain payment for the great clinical work that has been completed by staff. She also has an eye for detail and is able to maintain many projects at once, keeping the agency moving in a fiscally secure manner.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Sherrie is unfailing kind. Each holiday season, Sherrie and her staff host a cookie week for the building and boost morale through sharing copious amounts of sugar. It is always greatly appreciated.

Sherrie’s professionalism, skills, and expertise make her an exemplary leader and deserving recipient of this prestigious honor.

Supervisor/Administrator of the Year: Rick Goeking, PSR Manager, Gateway

Rick Goeking serves as Peace River Center’s Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR)
Manager and has been a part of the agency since 2020. However, his influence extends far beyond his official duties. He is a leader who celebrates recovery and inspires those around him.

Rick’s passion is truly infectious when he speaks about his clients and his
work. His empathetic nature naturally fosters a supportive environment
that encourages and inspires positive change. He motivates those around him to use their voices, advocate for themselves, and strive for their goals. Leaders like Rick make the world a better place.

Support Staff of the Year (Clinical): Rochelle Storlie, Specialty Services Program Assistant, Main Street Suite B/Gilmore Annex

Rochelle Storlie serves as the Program Assistant for the Substance Use, Family Intensive Treatment, and OnTrack programs. As an organized person, Rochelle has developed tracking processes for all three programs to improve the workflow and ensure all requirements meet standards.

Rochelle’s desire to help wherever it is needed has become evident by helping several programs as Program Assistant while positions were unfilled.

She also serves as an assistant to all child welfare referrals for our agency and as Facility Safety Auditor for the PRC Main Street Suite B offices. These responsibilities were not a part of her job description but needed.

Rochelle always has a smile on her face and promotes a positive atmosphere for clients, staff, and agency partners from the community. Staff appreciate the knowledge that Rochelle has and her ability to communicate and coordinate between many schedules. She always has an answer to questions and if she is unsure, knows how to find it quickly. Rochelle has a sweet and calming presence about her and individuals coming in for assessments have mentioned how helpful she was to them before they attend their intake appointment.

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