Elizabeth “Betsy” Sardella, clinical supervisor of MiraVista Behavioral Health Center’s Opioid Treatment Program, was among those honored for her more than four decades of work in the area of substance use recovery at the June annual luncheon of the Western Mass Substance Addiction Providers Association.
Sardella began her career in addiction counseling at the Alcoholism Intervention and Detoxification Center, later known as Providence Hospital.
“I feel very honored to receive this award and to work with an amazing group of professionals,” Sardella said. “Behavioral health is about surrounding yourself with good people, working together to help those struggling with addiction and mental health find their way. Every day presents new challenges, but the rewards far outweigh any obstacles.”
She was nominated by Gwen Fenton, Nurse Manager of MiraVista’s OTP that provides Medication Assisted Treatment and therapeutic support to individuals with opioid use disorder.
Fenton wrote that Sardella is “unequalled in her commitment to patients and staff, dedication to quality improvement, attention to detail, and resilience” and noted these qualities were particularly in evidence during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Our team pulled together and leaned on each other under Betsy’s daily in-clinic leadership, scheduled individual supervision, daily meetings with all staff, and her open-door policy,” Fenton wrote.
Sardella holds a Master’s Degree in her field and is licensed as an alcohol and drug counselor
WMSAPA was founded in 1979 “to represent the interests of the alcohol and drug service providers and their clients to all sectors of the community.” The annual luncheon took place June 9 at the Summit View Banquet and Meeting House during which the Michael Donahoe Outstanding Achievement in Recovery Award was also presented.