A Happy Anniversary, and A Thank You

On June 1, 2001, Paragon Behavioral Health opened for business. Well, sort of. Our office space wasn't built yet, so we started out temporarily in the abandoned building at the back of our parking lot while the construction on our permanent office space was underway. Water was dripping from the ceilings, there was some weird vegetation growing in the corners, and there were no walls to create separate rooms. Nevertheless, armed with some movable partitions, one computer, a single phone line, and a ton of determination, we opened our doors so we could serve our clients and our community. Our dream was to create a place where we could offer outstanding, compassionate, and accessible care to the people we take care of, to work with colleagues we love and trust, and to establish an enduring presence in the community where people felt comfortable coming for their mental health care.

And today, seventeen years later (and in a nicer office space), we're still here, doing what we set out to do. Many of our original clients are still with us, coming back from time to time as things change in their lives. Some of our clients are the children, or even grandchildren, of those that started with us. And we've been honored to welcome many, many new folks into the practice over the past seventeen years.

So, on our anniversary, we offer our heartfelt thanks to all of you who have entrusted us with your emotions, your personal concerns, your feelings, your joys and fears and sorrows, and your care. We will never take this for granted and we know that it is your trust in us that allows us to keep fulfilling our dream.

And I, personally, offer my enormous gratitude to the clinicians and staff of Paragon, both present and past, for your dedication, loyalty, commitment to your work, collegiality and friendship.

To think it all started 17 years ago with just a dream. Well, and probably a mouse or two.

Thank you and Happy Anniversary to all!!

~RS