The 2013 SC Department of Mental Health’s Employee of the Year!
Our very own Monica Hugee wins the prestigious SC-DMH Employee of the Year Award. Ms. Hugee has been with CDMHC since 2007. During that time she has provided therapeutic services to school-based clients and their families. Monica consistently comes to work with a professional, positive attitude and strives for continuous professional development as evidenced by attending additional trainings to hone her clinical skills. Monica maintains appropriate continuity of care with each client, as evidenced by having no clients not seen in more than 90 days. Ms. Hugee is also certified in TF-CBT through MUSC’s Project Best, and articulates her knowledge of this evidenced based practice in her clinical notes. Monica’s exceptional organizational skills and diligent efforts to engage family members in the treatment process are evidenced by her exceeding productivity expectations for FY2013 (60%). She completes clinical service notes within the required time frame and also completes POCs, Progress Summaries and CBCLs on time.
Monica recently took on an additional caseload of school-based clients at Eagle Nest Elementary while the assigned clinician was on extended sick leave. Monica managed this additional responsibility while training a new school-based therapist and maintaining her own school-based caseload.
Ms. Hugee’s school surveys consistently come back with positive results and there are often requests attached from school staff that she is able to return next year. School administrators report that Monica is extremely helpful, and routinely goes out of her way to educate them on various mental health diagnoses, and the wide array of treatment services CDMHC provides. Monica’s client centered approach can be observed in her efforts to attend after school functions with her clients, such as school chorus performances and talent shows. Ms. Hugee was even a member of one of her school’s faculty basketball teams! She utilizes these opportunities to show support for her clients and engage their families in the treatment process.
In addition to being an efficient and dedicated therapist, Ms. Hugee is also a key member of the local food bank. She provides meals to needy families on her caseload and has assisted with cooking and transporting Thanksgiving Day dinners to them as well. Ms. Hugee seems to notice when someone needs support, and always finds a way to help.
Monica is a positive influence on staff, and a role model for clients and their families. She is a very caring individual who is truly altruistic in her ways. Despite her challenging workload, Monica always finds a way to contribute her time and skills for various employee functions. During holiday events or morale boosting get-togethers, staff will reserve room in their stomachs for Monica’s special dishes. It should also be noted that in addition to her impeccable culinary skills, Monica is also a phenomenal singer. Monica’s vocal performances have made several going away luncheons at the Dorchester Clinic much more memorable and special. Monica is a pleasure to supervise. Her professional, caring attitude and dedication to her clients is consistent with DMH’s mission statement of Hope, Healing and Recovery.
We are incredibly thankful and fortunate to have Monica as a part of the Charleston Dorchester Mental Health team!
