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2025 Awards of Execellence Winners
At Peace River Center, we are proud to recognize the outstanding individuals who exemplify our mission through their unwavering dedication, empathy, and commitment to excellence. These team members consistently go above and beyond to support our clients, colleagues, and community. We are honored to celebrate this year’s Annual Award recipients and invite you to join us in expressing sincere gratitude for their remarkable contributions.
Support Staff of the Year (Clinical): Layla Santoyo, Inpatient Technician, Crisis Units
According to the nomination submitted by Mignon Burr: Layla demonstrates exceptional professionalism, strong work ethic, and dedication in her role as an Inpatient Technician. She consistently maintains a calm, respectful and client-focused demeanor, helping to create a safe and supportive environment for both clients and staff. Layla’s work skills include excellent observation, communication and de-escalation abilities. She is highly dependable, follows protocols carefully, and responds to client needs with compassion and efficiency. Her expertise in maintaining safety, monitoring behavior, and supporting clinical staff makes her a vital part of the treatment team.
Support Staff of the Year (Non-Clinical) Award Winner: Brittany Douberly, Human Resources Training Coordinator
According to the nomination submitted by Marla Cavendish: Brittany’s contagious positivity is one of her most remarkable traits. She greets every employee with a warm smile, creating an inviting atmosphere that encourages open communication. This is especially important in HR where employes may feel apprehensive about approaching someone with their concerns or questions. Brittany’s demeanor helps alleviate those fears, making her both approachable and relatable. One of her notable initiatives was the revamping and creation of a comprehensive onboarding program that significantly enhanced the onboarding experience for new hires. This program equipped new employees with essential knowledge about our services, organizational values and best practices in behavioral health. The positive feedback from participants indicates that they felt well-prepared when entering their roles, which ultimately translates into better service delivery to our clients.
Peer/Recovery Support Specialist of the Year Award Winner: Rene Montgomery, Peer Specialist, Substance Use Treatment Program
According to the nomination submitted by Adam Bazini and Lynn Repetosky: Rene has extensive knowledge of substance use local resources. She is personable with clients and always looks out for the best interest of the client. Rene is always willing to help with groups, evaluations, and meetings with potential clients. Rene travels to meet needs including walking in a park, meeting in home, or going to the local jail to ensure a client has needed information or support. Rene is a trauma informed yoga instructor and an advocate for trauma informed care and education. She has initiated peer groups that feature art, meditation, and yoga that lead to discussions of trauma, fears, frustration as well as self-determination, understanding and personal responsibility. Rene has also accompanied clients to AA or Celebrate Recovery meetings. In summary, Rene has become an agent of change in our program encouraging her coworkers and clients to embrace trauma informed treatment, offering supportive empathy, overcoming barriers to recovery, and promoting personal empowerment in recovery.
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 (Adult) Award Winner: Aaron Holcomb, Crisis Response Team Counselor
According to the nomination submitted by Alexandra Taylor: Crisis counseling requires a variety of skills and tactfulness in the approach. Some clients require a gentleness while others need an assertive helper to assist in stabilization. Aaron is the clinician that understands that balance and the dance that is crisis counseling. He is consistently one of the first people to take the crisis call, get on the road, and meet the client where they are at emotionally and geographically. A few of Aaron’s principal skills include high tolerance for stress, intuitiveness, problem solving, and therapeutic intervention. He understands the importance of being a team player, which is a key component of our team working efficiently. Aaron makes you feel like you are not alone in making some of the most critical decisions alongside a client in crisis.
Clinician of the Year (Youth) Award Winner: Diana Arcila, Children’s Targeted Case Manager
According to the nomination submitted by Ashley Chapman: Diana works tirelessly with youth and their families. She specializes in working with Spanish-speaking families and helping them advocate for their children’s needs. She is one of the most dependable, reliable, adaptable, and passionate employees within the Children’s Services Department. She always has a smile on her face and a great attitude. She has helped train countless other Children’s Case Managers. Many of my trainees have discussed how professional, caring and knowledgeable she is with our families. I frequently joke with her (although it’s not a joke) that I would hire five more Diana Arcilas!
Victim Advocate of the Year Award Winner: Melissa Irving, Domestic Violence Outreach Manager, Formerly Rape Recovery Program Manager
Melissa is the Domestic Violence Outreach Manager and previously served for many years as the Rape Recovery Program Manager. According to the nominations submitted by Christina Roberts and the entire Rape Recovery Team: With years of tireless service in this field, Melissa has consistently exemplified what it means to be a true advocate. Her commitment is evident not only in the time she devotes to accompanying survivors during some of their most vulnerable moments at the hospital, but also in her daily efforts to provide advocacy and emotional support with empathy, professionalism, and grace. Her presence offers a sense of safety and hope to those navigating the aftermath of trauma. Melissa’s leadership has transformed our support group programming into a powerful source of healing and connection. Under her guidance, these groups have evolved into safe, consistent, and well-attended spaces for survivors to share, grow, and rebuild. She fosters an environment where survivors feel heard, validated, and empowered, demonstrating the depth of her understanding and compassion. Melissa is a remarkable advocate, a compassionate leader, and a powerful force for change.
Medical Professional of the Year Award Winner: El Fadl Daissaoui, Registered Nurse, Short-Term Residential Treatment Program
According to the nomination submitted by Stephanie Rambali: Fadl consistently goes above and beyond his role through his unwavering willingness to assist with any task, regardless of whether it falls within his immediate responsibilities; whether it’s supporting new staff, responding swiftly to patient needs, or filling in during staff shortages. His proactive approach and calm demeanor in high-pressure situations make him an indispensable asset to our unit. Fadl brings warmth and compassion to every interaction, contributing to a welcoming and therapeutic environment for our patients. He takes the time to explain care plans and medications in a way that patients understand, which greatly eases their anxiety. His kindness extends to families as well, offering reassurance and clear communication. Among staff, his positive attitude and reliability foster a sense of cohesion and mutual respect. His presence uplifts morale and reinforces a culture of collaboration and support.
Supervisor/Administrator of the Year Award Winner: Tiffani Fritzsche, Director of Children’s Services
According to the nomination submitted by Amy Nelson and Ashley Chapman: Tiffani embodies Peace River’s Core Values, Mission and Vision. She is dedicated to providing the highest level of care for our clients and their families. Her ability to support staff while juggling her numerous responsibilities is astounding. She is open to new ideas, incredibly honest, and has a high regard for all her staff. She goes out of her way to personally get to know her staff and makes a strong effort to always build employee engagement. Tiffani has worked for Peace River Center for 13 years. In that time, she has worked her way from being an intern to being Director of Children’s Services. Not only is she the Children’s Services Director, but she oversees the internship process for bachelor’s and master’s degree applicants, co-hosts a podcast, and hosts Mental Health First Aid trainings. She encourages staff to meet their full potential, even if that means losing them as an employee to another team. Her ability to empower and mentor is beyond measure. Having a good bass can make a huge difference in a job. In Tiffani Fritzsche, I have more than a good boss. She is one of my biggest supporters.