Team Member Recognition

Promotion can’t keep division director from working with patients

Article by Matthew McFarland of the News Tribune

Developmental Disabilities Director Sheila Wunning works Friday in her office at the Missouri Department of Mental Health.

Sheila Wunning says she's loved every job she's had in her 30 years of supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.

However, she's concerned that career advancement might separate her from work with those individuals.

In May, she became director of the developmental disabilities division at the Missouri Department of Mental Health. Through her first 5½ months on the job, Wunning said she's enjoyed her work and has been relieved that personal interaction with staff and patients is still the forefront of her responsibilities.

"You get a bit spoiled when that happens," Wunning said while discussing her job history, which includes her joining the department in 2017. "I was a little bit worried that I would not have as much opportunity to connect with individuals and families and employees. ... I think I have been able to find ways to make sure I'm continuing to connect."

One way Wunning has made sure to interact with her employees across the state is through "coffee chats." Wunning visits state-operated mental health facilities or regional offices to meet employees bi-monthly and hosts online meetings at the same time.

"I've been finding even more joy in it than I thought," Wunning said. "I do feel that I have a lot of opportunities to impact the direction of this division. I'm very excited about it."

Wunning is focusing on efficiency and sustainability going forward. She said her division has seen significant improvements in the number of individuals who are unnecessarily institutionalized through multiple department efforts. Now Wunning and her staff will start digging into which initiatives are getting the most return on investment.

"I think we're in a great place now to really analyze what's working well and where we're seeing the greatest returns -- and then really focus our effort on expanding those supports," Wunning said.

Supports include more active community resources and care for individuals with developmental disabilities. Much of the care her division gives is done in a patient's home, which removes both institutional pressures and stigmas and allows for better care, Wunning said.

Wunning said her career, where she spent the bulk of her time serving those with disabilities in St. Louis, has always focused on individualized care. She plans to keep that as a priority for her division.

"When it comes down to what services individuals need, it really is based off that interaction with the individual and that person's inner planning process," Wunning said. "I think that's one of the things I've really enjoyed about working in the field of (developmental disabilities) is that everything we do is person-centered."

Team Member of the Month: September 2025

Some of the individuals DMH serves have very challenging behaviors. At times, these behaviors can lead to physical confrontations with staff and other patients. The DMH Team Member of the Month has a unique ability to connect with patients, even in the most difficult circumstances.  Chelsea Schneider is a Registered Nurse (RN) at Northwest Missouri Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center.  She recently stepped in to help with a patient who had assaulted staff multiple times.  Chelsea treated the patient with respect, patience, and empathy, and quickly brought the situation under control.  Her composure and confidence reassured other patients and the staff that everything was going to be okay.

Chelsea is said to treat all patients with dignity and compassion, regardless of their behavior, which illustrates her exceptional professionalism.

One co-worker said, “As a relatively newer RN, with just over two years of experience, she demonstrates grace under pressure which inspires her peers to approach challenges in the same way. Chelsea's readiness to support her colleagues and uplift those who are struggling brings stability to the unit.”

Well done, Chelsea. Congratulations!

Team Member of the Month: August 2025

One of the most challenging tasks in a DMH facility is moving clients from an area in which they are used to living.  Southeast Missouri Mental Health Center (SMMHC) recently had to move a ward due to construction.  This required the relocation of 19 clients. Lisa McDonald, a Psychiatric Technician at SMMHC, knew this would be a difficult time and insisted on helping.  Despite the move happening on her day off, she came in to provide organization and efficiency to the process.  Her willingness to step in along with her commitment to the well-being of the clients exemplifies a level of care and team work, which earned her the DMH Team Member of the Month for August.   

Lisa has an excellent rapport with clients and is ready to step in and help when she is needed.  She is considered by her co-workers as someone whom you can consistently rely on and is always a team player.  

One of her co-workers said, “Lisa is flexible and always willing to do difficult tasks.  She is able to keep a smile on her face and promote a healthy environment to care for clients.”

Lisa has worked at SMMHC for 2 1/2 years. Congratulations Lisa!

Team Member of the Month: July 2025

The skills and techniques the DMH Way teaches not only helps build a stronger team to support the department, but it reinforces everyday life skills.  Jessica Wetzel uses what she has learned about social styles and the unique ways others learn to become an exceptional role model.

Jessica is the July Team Member of the Month, and serves as a Support Care Assistant /Certified Medical Aide at Northwest  Community Services (NWCS) in Marshall. She demonstrates impressive initiative to know each person she interacts with on a daily basis. Jessica makes sure she is well-versed in all the dietary requirements and Individual Support Plans of those she supports. So, based on their specific needs, she guarantees that each individual experiences a high standard of care every day they are with her. Jessica also shows patience to ensure that each staff trainee feels comfortable; she fosters confidence in their skills to help them succeed when the training is complete.

One of her co-workers said, “Jessica treats everyone with dignity and respect at all times, which is evident in the strong connections she has formed with both her colleagues and the individuals she serves. She has also dedicated herself to learning and growing as a team player. With a great sense of humor, she handles both minor and major challenges with ease, always wearing a smile and ready to tackle whatever tasks come her way.”

Jessica has worked at NWCS for more than 4 ½  years. Congratulations Jessica!

Team Member of the Month:  June 2025

Support Care Assistants (SCA) are more than just caregivers; they play a crucial role in enabling individuals with disabilities to lead more independent lives and achieve their personal goals.

The June Team Member of the Month, Tyson Busey, is an SCA at Southwest Community Services (SWCS) and was nominated by one of the residents there. Tyson genuinely cares about the individuals he serves. He empowers them to work on projects independently but is always available and supportive so they can be successful. For example, one individual enjoys cooking but sometimes forgets which ingredients he is missing. Tyson gently reminds him to make sure the dish turns out right.

The individual who recommended Tyson for Team Member of the Month said, "Tyson takes time to understand what I want, takes me to the places I want to go, and does the things I like to do. He's different from other staff; he is active with us clients." 

Tyson has worked at SWCS for nearly a year. Congratulations Tyson!

Team Member of the Month:  May 2025

Maintaining personal appearance is vital for overall health and well-being – especially those in a hospital setting. The May Team Member of the Month truly exemplifies the heart of patient-centered care by understanding that each patient’s needs are unique. Kayla Cress is a Cosmetologist at Northwest Missouri Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center (NMPRC) and is dedicated to ensuring patients are clean and comfortable because it has positive impact on recovery by boosting self-esteem.

Recently, on one of Kayla’s scheduled days off, she was made aware of a new patient that was admitted to NMPRC with severely matted hair. The mat had formed into a large ball on the side of the patient’s head which was inflicting pain and discomfort for the individual. The patient was willing to shave their head due to the severity of the mat but Kayla voluntarily came in to the facility to assist in detangling the extreme matting. Kayla worked over an hour carefully detangling the mat to preserve the patients comfort, dignity, and self-esteem.

One of Kayla’s coworkers said, “She turned what could have been a distressing and traumatic experience into one of kindness and respect. Her willingness to give her time and talents on a day off speaks volumes about her character and the values she brings to the team.”

Kayla has worked at NMPRC for roughly 6 years. Congratulations Kayla!

Team Member of the Month:  April 2025

Ensuring that the individuals DMH cares for live their best lives is a vital piece of the department’s mission, and it’s the right thing to do!

Harper Otero, Support Care Professional at Higginsville Habilitation Center (HCC), always comes to work with a positive attitude and is a great team member and leader. He has worked in the HHC Opportunities for Placement and Enrichment (HOPE)  Program for almost four years and makes the residents and his team members feel truly appreciated in their roles.

To help residents live their best lives, Harper plans various fun activities in the day hall for anyone who wants to participate. Each day Harper brings fresh energy to his plans. He enjoys organizing karaoke for those that love to sing, as well as leading activities such as corn hole, disk frisbee and much more.

Harper also trains new hires and continues to check-in throughout their shifts to see if they have any questions or concerns. One of his coworkers said, “He has grown in not only his confidence as an employee and team player, but also a leader.”

Congratulations, Harper!

Team Member of the Month:  March 2025

Technology is vital in today’s world. It is designed to solve problems, meet needs, improve efficiency, and can simplify daily tasks to help team members do more with less effort. The March Team Member of the Month is instrumental in maintaining all aspects of technology at Fulton State Hospital (FSH).

Jarvis Spencer is a Technology Services Architect and provides the oversight for technology at FSH. His duties include repairing, upgrading, and reviewing new technology. He also works closely with the facility leadership, the Office of Administration - Information Technology Services Division and the Facilities Management Design and Construction Division, as well as outside vendors when needed. He has earned a strong, positive reputation with his peers and is seen as the “go to” person when questions about technology arise. Currently, he is working on the facility’s new scheduling and time clock system to be implemented in 2026.

In addition, Jarvis continues to improve his technical skills and is open to all trainings. One of his greatest strengths is his willingness to help any team member with any project.

One of his coworkers said, “Jarvis has spent his entire career at FSH and it shows! His knowledge and dedication makes him an unmatched resource that we are so blessed to have. He assists with all the major technology at our facility, but you will also often find him training and assisting our front-line supervisors and staff in whatever technology struggles they have.”

Jarvis has worked at FSH for about 21 years. Congratulations Jarvis!

Team Member of the Month: February 2025

The ability to turn potentially negative interactions into positive experiences greatly impacts customer satisfaction within any organization. The February Team Member of the Month has done this for 18 years, assisting individuals calling about the Substance Awareness Traffic Offender Program (SATOP) within the Division of Behavioral Health (DBH).

Lisa Stevens, a Senior Office Support Assistant, supports SATOP in many ways but one of her main duties is to answer the SATOP phone line, which can be 40-50 calls a day. Many of these calls are challenging or confrontational due to the caller’s urgency to meet requirements to have their driving privileges reinstated. Lisa goes above and beyond her duties to help. She will often contact the Department of Revenue, on the callers behalf, to save them hours of time to get all the information needed to have the individual's license reinstated. Typically this includes things like a reinstatement fee, proof of high risk insurance, ignition interlock, and sometimes a compliance letter required for the court.

Recently, one of the callers expressed her appreciation for Lisa by taking the time to thank her personally via email which included a photo of the caller smiling and holding up her license. The individual said, “I wanted to send a personal thank you for all your help during this process. Your patience with my stressed out emotions did not go unappreciated or acknowledged. You were never short tempered with me and you treated me with respect. You never once made me feel as though I wasn’t worthy of your time or my rights to drive based on my offense. The system is honored and blessed to have you as a member on the team. You are a strong and respectable link in their chain and they need more like you! Thank you for being so amazingly supportive and helpful. I appreciate you to the fullest!”

Callers don’t often take the time to reach out to a state agency to express their appreciation for a staff member’s work. Over the years, feedback from callers has been consistently positive of Lisa’s work. Congratulations Lisa!

Team Member of the Month: January

Forensic psychiatric nursing can be a complex job; navigating the balance of medical aspects with psychiatric illness. The January Team Member of the Month does an outstanding job of caring for some very challenging patients at Northwest Missouri Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center (NMPRC). Rebecca “Beckie” Johnson is a Registered Nurse in the Forensic Psychiatric Nursing Unit and her attention to detail led to saving a life.

Recently, a patient sustained some minor injuries during recreation time, but Beckie took the patient’s pain seriously and ran some tests. She ruled out life-threatening issues including an appendicitis. Eventually Beckie advocated for the patient to receive emergency treatment at the local hospital. It was soon discovered at the hospital that the patient needed surgery. Beckie’s thorough assessment and recommendations led to a good outcome for this patient, who is now doing well.

One of her coworkers said, “Beckie is truly a role model.  She is eager to help her peers and patients promptly in any way she can. She is enthusiastic and has a growth mindset, while also maintaining a level of professionalism.”

Congratulations Beckie!