Local News
SSM’s Parker Named One Of “Tomorrow’s Leaders”
Tiffany Parker, director of
Inpatient Behavioral Health, Addiction Services and Domestic Violence Services
with Agnesian HealthCare, was among 10 young professionals recognized by the
Catholic Health Association (CHA) in early June during a virtual assembly.
Parker is being honored as one of Tomorrow’s Leaders 10 accomplished
individuals – all age 40 or younger – who are poised to continue to make
significant contributions to the ministry for years to come.
Parker, 30,
joined Agnesian HealthCare in 2010, starting her journey with Agnesian
HealthCare’s Domestic Violence Program as a domestic violence advocate. At that
time, the program featured two staff members. Three years later, a counselor
and social workers were added, and Parker was named supervisor. The program continued to grow nearing 1,500
victims, offenders and education services to hospital staff and patients.
Parker added a prevention educator, and an internship program for doctoral and
bachelor level students, and later a master’s level intern, as well as an
offender specialist. In January 2019, she was promoted to her current position.
A nomination letter from Damond Boatwright,
FACHE, SSM Health Wisconsin Region president, and Rachelle Barina, PhD, HEC-C,
SSM Health Wisconsin vice president of Mission Integration, applauds Parker’s
leadership. “As a Catholic health ministry, we are called to
listen and respond to the needs of the most vulnerable within our communities,
and to do it with urgency and compassion,” they write. “Tiffany’s work embodies
this calling, as she passionately seeks to improve the physical, emotional and
spiritual well-being of victims of violence and those suffering with addition.
“Tiffany continually works to promote and defend
human dignity and to bring awareness and justice to the topics of domestic
violence, addiction and mental health,” they continue. “With Tiffany’s
leadership, the program has grown into a robust program that is now reaching
proactively to serve families, children and schools.”
Katherine Vergos,
changed the landscape of her community. Through her passion to bring awareness
and education to a community, she has helped many victims of violence and
addition come forward that otherwise might have stayed silent. Tiffany is
emotionally intelligent and carries the burdens of others with strength and
grace.”
Parker is actively engaged in the community,
including serving on the Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund education committee,
which has led a three-year campaign and grant funding focused to bring domestic
violence awareness to the community. She has served as past president of the
Solutions Center Shelter & Support Services, as well as volunteering with
the Boys & Girls Club, Exchange Club, ASTOP and Life Enforcement.
“I am honored and humbled that I was considered
for this award,” Parker says. “It means a lot to me that my leaders and peers
think highly of me in this regard. I truly wasn’t expecting this. I don’t do this work for accolades but simply
for striving to improve a life, a day, a moment to the patients we serve who
are struggling with mental illness, addiction and trauma,” Parker adds. “I want
patients to feel the same kindness and support that I have been given from my
family, peers and leaders in recognizing me for this award. That is truly what
is important to me.”