Devon inpatient team
Julie Toy
Alumni Coordinator for Devon
Julie’s journey with RCA started in October 2018 when she came through our doors as a patient. She describes her life as being turned completely around through the treatment she received at RCA and when she was introduced to the Alumni Association. She immediately got involved and in service as an alumni volunteer. In November 2019, she took a leap of faith leaving behind an accounting career and began her journey as an employee working as a Patient Specialist in the Mission Center. Quickly, she advanced to Associate Treatment Advisor, then to Treatment Advisor. When the opportunity came to onboard with the Alumni Team, she says for her, “it was a no brainer because this is where my passion has been all along.” As a person in recovery, Julie’s hunger to help others is unmeasurable and she will gladly fight alongside anyone struggling and their loved ones to help them get to the freedom she was so freely given.
In your opinion, why do you believe an alumni program is so important for those who want to achieve long term recovery?
I believe in the mission of RCA and the alumni is another tool in the toolbelt. It allows people to come back to where it all started and gives a sense of another place to call home. The Alumni, not only offers a ton of meetings, but it continues to provide a safe community while teaching people how to have fun in recovery and the freedom that recovery brings. It’s a place where we can make this community our own. To have a sense of belonging and to feel apart of.
What is your favorite quote, and why?
“Shining your light on the road ahead can help bring others through the darkness.” I love this quote. I myself have been in darkness before and I thank God every day for putting people in my life who shined their light to guide me out of that darkness and now I do the same for others.
Why do you choose to work as an Alumni Coordinator for RCA?
I choose to work in this role because it is where my passion is. I have had the privilege of being an active volunteer of the Alumni Association for a few years, and I got to see firsthand the positive impact it has on people walking back into their lives after much suffering and having to relearn life all over again. This is a crucial part in recovery, teaching others about sober fun in recovery and exposing them to things they either forgot they once enjoyed or had no idea they even enjoyed certain activities. It is also a beautiful and safe community like I have never seen before.
What do you enjoy most about the work that you do? Working with others and seeing the light turn on inside them. There is no greater gift then to see life return to their eyes. Seeing someone laugh again, to see them free, to see them love and be loved. Watching them get rooted in their recovery and know they are worth and deserving of it.
Bob Gibson
Alumni Coordinator at Devon
Bob has worked for RCA Devon since June of 2019, initially starting as an RSS. He then became a Lead RSS and eventually moved into the Recovery Instructor position before becoming an Alumni Coordinator. Bob has a strong passion for 12-step recovery and helping patients to navigate their own path and have their own recovery experience.
What is your favorite quote, and why?
“If you want something you have never had before, you have to do something you have never done before.” I like this quote because applies so well to not just my own life, but I can’t think of too many situations that it doesn’t apply to.
What are the major driving forces in your life?
Honestly, nothing brings me serenity like being of use to other people. That’s what I strive for in my professional and personal life. I was very selfish most of my life, but today I have the opportunity and the knowledge to act as the exact opposite and help others.
If you could send a message to family, friends and loved ones of those with a substance use disorder, what would it be?
Do not forget about your own mental health and well-being while trying to work through your loved one’s addiction. There are many resources available to support the family and loved ones of people suffering from addiction. Use them. You are not alone.
Why do you choose to work as an Alumni Coordinator for RCA?
In all my roles at RCA, except for this one, my relationships with our patients ended when they left treatment. In this role I am afforded the opportunity to be a resource to our alumni for the long haul.
What do you enjoy most about the work that you do?
Being able to carry a message of hope to people that need it is an honor and a privilege and brings me a great amount of joy. There is nothing more exciting than getting to watch people become the best versions of themselves.
Stephanie Lewis
Clinical Director
Stephanie has been a leader in Behavioral Healthcare for over 5 years. Stephanie graduated from Temple University in 2018 with her Master’s Degree in Social Work with a clinical concentration. While in graduate school, Stephanie spent her internship working with those suffering with Mental Health-related conditions. Her professional career began in 2014 as a Recovery Support Specialist at a large Substance Abuse Treatment Facility. She quickly advanced to a Primary Therapist upon completion of her MSW program and joined Recovery Centers of America in 2018. Stephanie quickly transitioned into the role of Clinical Supervisor overseeing the young adult male program and later transitioned to the female neighborhood. During this time, Stephanie assisted in the development of the female Trauma Program, Breaking Free, as well as many other specialized programs offered at Devon.
Stephanie’s professional journey has included Leadership Development, Community-based Behavioral Health organizations, Behavioral Health Managed Care, Continuous Quality Improvement, and Community Outreach. Throughout her career, Stephanie has maintained a heavy focus on sustaining an environment that promotes a positive, forward-thinking culture and a commitment to Mission and Core Values. Stephanie has been a strong voice for workforce development, team building, and bridging the gap between clinical excellence and administrative supports. Her ability to build and empower teams is seen throughout her professional experiences and her relationships with relevant stakeholders.
Tami Moylan
Interventionist Manager
Tami Moylan, CIP, CFI, CFRS, Interventionist at Recovery Centers of America, never envisioned she would one day work in the field of substance use disorder treatment, but after watching her mother battle this horrific disease for over two decades, she eventually found her true passion and calling. She has an affinity for working with families seeking help for their loved ones. Tami is a Certified Intervention Professional (CIP), Certified Family Focused Interventionist (CFI), and a Certified Family Recovery Specialist (CFRS). Tami feels strongly that families are the silent and forgotten victims of this disease and this is her way to give back and help those experiencing what she herself experienced first-hand.
Tami works very closely with the Intervention Support Specialists and leadership to help families struggling with addiction – a mission that is close to her heart.
“Watching my mother struggle with addiction for over 2 decades, it was hard, especially as a child,” Tami says. “But it’s why I do what I do. When I was going through this, there wasn’t help. There was no one on the other end of the line to guide a family. I recognize what addiction does to families. So while I’m passionate about helping the individual, I’m also passionate about helping the family.”
Tami accepts and expects every Intervention to be different yet stays focused on the goal and keeping everyone moving towards the right path. She excels in walking alongside families, educating and guiding, and helping them figure out how they can support the recovery – not the addiction.
“As long as someone is breathing, there’s hope,” Tami says.
Sarah Rivera
Nursing Director
Sarah has spent her 17-year career as a registered nurse in a range of positions such as staff nurse, unit manager, administrative director of nursing and director of nursing within various medical settings including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, long term care homes and a drug and alcohol center. Sarah currently is a member of the steering committee for PRO-A, Pennsylvania Recovery Organization- Alliance and collaborates closely with the Pennsylvania Nurses Assistance Program to assist nurses who are impaired from drugs and alcohol. Sarah has found her purpose to enmesh her passion for both recovery and nursing with RCA’s mission to help save one million lives from drugs and alcohol.
Dr. Caroline McWilliams
Medical Director
Dr. McWilliams is a graduate of Temple University School of Medicine. She trained in Internal Medicine at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. Dr. McWilliams is Board certified in Internal Medicine and Addiction Medicine, and has been practicing since 2007. She has served as an attending physician for the Department of Public Health at a community health center in Philadelphia and the Medical Director at Inglis House, a nursing home in Philadelphia, PA. Her interest includes addiction medicine and treating patients with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders. She acted as the lead Physician at Malvern institute, a drug and alcohol rehab facility in Malvern, PA. She has served as the Medical Director at Recovery Center of America in Devon, PA a comprehensive drug and alcohol addiction treatment facility, since August 2017.
Bridgette Vail
Interim Chief Executive Officer at Devon
Bridgette Vail, MA MBA is a seasoned Behavioral Health Care Professional with over 20 years of experience. With a diverse background and advanced degrees in both the Healthcare and Business Industries, Bridgette has developed and led large teams, supervised a variety of professionals and navigated complex healthcare challenges. As a former Director of Admissions and Utilization Review Bridgette recognizes the importance of care coordination and the care management process.
Bridgette effectively utilizes clinical guidelines and accreditation standards to achieve admission and utilization targets. With additional experience as Director of Healthcare Management at an inpatient Substance Abuse Hospital and Executive Director at an Outpatient based Substance Abuse facility, Bridgette’s primary focus was to ensure access to proactive and balanced care, improve clinical outcomes and appropriately manage healthcare associated costs. Bridgette places a high value on professional ethics, professional development and positive patient outcomes.
