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Fort Lauderdale Hospital Program Director Receives Recognition

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - (Oct. 14, 2009) - Miriam Griffin, R.N., Director of Addiction Services at Fort Lauderdale Hospital, has been awarded the Robert Koch Award for Professional/Paraprofessional of the Year. 

The award is given annually by the Broward County National Recovery Month Committee, which is comprised of county government and local behavioral health organization representatives.  The award recognizes an individual who has made major contributions in the recovery field.  Potential recipients include counselors, therapists, nurses, peer specialists, mental health techs and behavioral health techs, among others.

"Miriam's impact on the Addictive Services department and the hospital has been nothing less than exceptional," said Manny Llano, CEO of Fort Lauderdale Hospital, a Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. facility.  "During her tenure, we have witnessed a transformation of the department into a cohesive team with goals of providing the best inpatient care and developing a program that promotes and enables a successful recovery."

For 20 years, National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month has raised awareness about addiction and offered inspiration to those struggling with recovery. This year's theme, "Join the Voices for Recovery: Together We Learn, Together We Heal," emphasizes the need to use all available resources, in communities and on the Internet, to educate people about the disease and to help those with substance abuse disorders get support. 

"I am overwhelmed by the confidence that has been bestowed upon me which has now manifested itself into this wonderful award," said Griffin.  "Working in the recovery community has been my pleasure and each one of these patients has made an impact on my life as much as recovery has touched theirs. This recognition comes at a time when the hospital is growing and being a part of that is very special. I look forward to continuing this work and to providing care to both my own community and the recovery community.  With all my heart I thank you."

In honor of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, Broward County held an event on Sept. 26 at Broward Central Regional Park Shelter to educate the community on substance abuse and to recognize outstanding individuals serving the Broward County recovery community.

About Fort Lauderdale Hospital
Fort Lauderdale Hospital is a fully licensed 100-bed private hospital specializing in the treatment of addictive, psychiatric, and co-occurring disorders in adolescents and adults. The hospital is a Baker Act and Marchman Act receiving facility. Treatment programs include inpatient drug & alcohol detox, treatment, psychiatric stabilization, Pride Institute, PHP, and IOP services. Fort Lauderdale Hospital is licensed by the State of Florida and certified by Broward County, and fully accredited by The Joint Commission. As a community service, the hospital provides free face-to-face assessments and referral services by appointment 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

About Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. (PSI)
Psychiatric Solutions, Inc. offers an extensive continuum of behavioral health programs to critically ill children, adolescents and adults and is the largest operator of owned or leased freestanding psychiatric inpatient facilities with over 11,000 beds in 32 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  PSI also manages freestanding psychiatric inpatient facilities for government agencies and psychiatric inpatient units within medical/surgical hospitals owned by others.

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