Celebrating Staff Excellence at Inaugural Spring Awards
Learn about the St. Joseph’s awards celebration, honoring individuals and a team for their dedication to serving Northern New York.
Mary Jo Carter-Codling, left, and Gail Carter, right, present Jeffrey Morris with the inaugural Mark Carter Award.
Employees from St. Joseph's Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers, North Country Freedom Homes, Citizen Advocates, Harison Place and the Fieldstone Foundation came together on Thursday, May 22, for the inaugural Spring Awards Ceremony—an event dedicated to honoring those who go above and beyond in service to their communities. Held at The Adirondack Room at Mo's Pub & Grill in Malone, the celebration recognized 14 outstanding individuals and one exceptional team whose dedication is making a difference across Northern New York.
“From Saranac Lake to Watertown, we gathered in Malone to celebrate the heart of our network—our people,” said Kati Jock, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “These honorees are more than just employees. They are healers, problem-solvers, advocates and caregivers—each one playing a vital role in transforming lives and strengthening communities.”
The awards process sparked overwhelming interest across the network's organizations when announced this spring. A total of 125 nominations were submitted, showcasing the exceptional dedication and talent of the workforce, and reflecting the deep mutual respect and appreciation shared among colleagues throughout the network.
The ceremony highlighted staff members who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the network's shared mission of providing accessible care and supports that promote individual health throughout the region. Excellence was recognized across six different categories:
Mark Carter Award
Jeffrey Morris, Director of Community Living at Citizen Advocates and a 39-year veteran of the organization, received this prestigious honor named for Citizen Advocates’ longtime residential services director. Mr. Morris was recognized for his unwavering advocacy and respect for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. One nomination praised him for consistently going “above and beyond to ensure that the needs of the individuals under his care are met” and treating the people Citizen Advocates serves “as persons and not as clients."
The ceremony was made especially meaningful by the attendance of Mark Carter's widow, Mary Jo Carter-Codling—who also worked alongside Mr. Morris for decades—and Mr. Carter’s mother, Gail Carter. Both were on hand to congratulate Mr. Morris and celebrate Mr. Carter’s enduring legacy.
Father Carmen Giuliano Award
Aaron Smith, Spiritual Health Coordinator for St. Joseph's Inpatient Program, was honored for embodying the legacy of Father Carmen Giuliano—founder of St. Joseph’s Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers—whose life was defined by service, faith, compassion and advocacy. Mr. Smith, who has served with St. Joseph’s for five years, was described by one nomination as “soft-spoken, compassionate and humble,” with “a calm and approachable demeanor, combined with his deep sense of spiritual integrity.”
Commitment to Excellence Award
Amanda Frazier, Heidi Czerepak, Julie Tuper and Lindsay Mozdzier.
Team Player Award
Kamie O'Connor, Tampa Mallory, Kayla Curtis and Brittany Shantie.
Mentorship Excellence Award
Donna Wahlert, Jill Richards, Renee Robinson and Anastasia Przybyla.
Most Supportive Team Award
North Country Freedom Homes.
By recognizing excellence within their ranks, the organizations reaffirmed their commitment to fostering a supportive workplace culture that values compassion, innovation, teamwork and leadership.
“Some of our greatest lessons come from the people beside us—mentors, peers, direct reports,” said Chief of Staff Jennifer Dishaw in her closing remarks. “These are the people who challenge us, encourage us and remind us of what’s possible when we show up for one another every day.”
For those interested in joining the award-winning teams at St. Joseph's Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers, North Country Freedom Homes or Citizen Advocates, visit stjoestreatment.org/careers or citizenadvocates.net/careers to explore current opportunities.
Mohawk Tribe Inpatient Residents from the Akwesasne Reservation Perform Self Directed Spiritual Renewal Each Morning at Sunrise
St. Joseph's Inpatient residents, who are also members of the Akwesasne community, gather each morning at sunrise for spiritual renewal through the use of prayer, song, and tangible elements of sage, an abalone shell, and an eagle feather.
Residents and staff fortunate enough to be near the patio at our Inpatient facility early each morning at sunrise might hear Dallas C., Chadwick S., and Jerome M., members of the Mohawk tribe from the Akwesasne Reservation, performing a deeply meaningful ceremony.
Smudging, which is a celebration of spiritual purification and thanks, uses the smoke from sage burned in an abalone shell and spread with an eagle feather. The ritual of renewal has been performed by members of the Mohawk tribe for centuries.
Chadwick, who is nearing completion of his 90-day program, and Dallas, who has been here for two months, share, “We give thanks and purify ourselves through blowing the sage smoke on us, head to toe, and then we say our morning prayers. We give thanks to people and ask that we all put our minds together as one. Then we pray to the thunders, stars, water, food, plants, sunrise, turtle, fish, animals, trees, food, tobacco, ceremonies, medicine, grandfather, ceremonies, and finally the Creator.”
The process of saging not only purifies but encourages positive emotions and leaves one with a calm feeling.
“People also use smudging to purify their homes. We’d like to sage the entire building here,” Chadwick smiles. Dallas says, “We do this daily outside since we’ve been in rehab, and this keeps us going. It keeps us in touch with our Higher Spirit, the Creator.”
Chadwick, who learned the ceremony from generational teaching, continues, “It opens up our minds to think clearly. After we do the opening prayers, I’ll put some tobacco on top of the sage, and we say our personal prayers for our families for strength, wisdom, and positive direction. I also pray for everyone here, the residents and the staff and all of those we’re getting to know as friends."
By praying to our Higher Power, we keep our minds positive which helps us in our work here,” says Dallas.
The ceremony ends with the singing of the Friendship Song (below), which Chadwick and Dallas have graciously sung for all in our community to enjoy.
I appreciate the willingness of Chadwick and Dallas to share and enlighten other residents and staff about a spiritual and cultural tradition that has had a long presence in the North Country.