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HEALTHCARE HEROES | 2025 AWARDS HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | OCTOBER 6, 2025 B15 Winner Category | Mental Health Care Provider of the Year e Center for Emotional Healing LLC Team Led by: Kelly Fortin, Owner T he Center for Emotional Healing is a mental health practice dedicated to providing compas- sionate, expert care to children, adults and families. e team believes mental wellness is just as important as physical health and offers services in offices, schools and via telehealth. ey prioritize individualized treatment, accessibility and thoughtful support, ensuring each person's unique needs are met with skill, dedication and care. What have been the organization's signif- icant accomplishments in the past year? is past year, our team has worked to make mental health care more acces- sible by partnering with schools, local providers and community organiza- tions. We continuously work to reduce barriers such as time, transportation and cost, ensuring care reaches those who need it most. With a team that can serve clients in every corner of Connecticut, we have someone for just about everyone. Every team member brings expertise, compas- sion and dedication, helping children, adults and families navigate challenges and build resilience. rough accessibility, collaboration and high-quality care, we embody what it means to be Health Care Heroes. What are some major challenges the organization had to overcome? We've faced growing demand for mental health services alongside regula- tory changes and insurance complexities. By staying flexible, collaborating as a team, and maintaining focus on our clients' well-being, we've ensured consistent, compassionate care is deliv- ered without compromise, overcoming obstacles while keeping accessibility and quality at the forefront. What's the organization's next major goal? Our next goal is to continue broadening services and reaching more individuals in need. From our small beginnings, we now provide diverse care across multiple settings, and we aim to set new standards for accessible, high-quality mental health support that meets the evolving needs of our community. Winner Category | Mental Health Care Provider of the Year Harvest Healthcare Led by: Meghan Vess, Executive Director Team Members: Robyn Bauder, Director of HR & Finance; Marisa Brown, Director of Clinical Services; Karen Donorfio, Director of Operations H arvest Healthcare's mission is to provide compassionate, comprehensive behavioral health services to the aging population in any setting. As mental health concerns among older adults rise — with increasing rates of depression, anxiety, dementia-related behaviors, trauma history and substance use — our goal is to ensure every indi- vidual receives personalized care that honors their life story and evolving needs. For over 15 years, Harvest has strived to make a positive impact on the healthcare system. Our flexible staffing model sets Harvest apart with a work-life balance that adapts to the individual needs of our clinicians and attracts top talent. Our in-depth orientation process, ongoing education and mentorship programs promote staff growth, helping employees expand their skill sets based on the needs of their patients. What have been the team's significant contributions in the past year? A rise in individuals with substance use disorders needing nursing home stays meant that an innovative approach was needed to ensure their mental health needs could still be met in a comprehensive way. erefore, our team developed Health- SPAN, a treatment approach that combines the main tenets of standard recovery models within the nuances of a nursing home setting. With a team of clinicians that includes psychiatrists, psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers dually certified in substance use, psych APRNs and PAs, we provide psychiatric medica- tion management and psychotherapy that is focused on treating the whole person, meeting them where they are. What challenges has the team overcome? Skilled nursing facilities traditionally focused on older adults and their phys- ical care needs. We recognized the need to support residents holistically. We work closely with facility staff to provide education and collabora- tion, improving interactions between residents and staff as well as reducing psychiatric crises, unnecessary medica- tions, and unnecessary hospitalizations. Congratulations to the HBJ Winners! Meghan Rickard meghan@compumail.net 860-628-2770 298 Captain Lewis Dr. Southington, CT 06489 compumail.net