The women in Leadership at Polara Health strive to support every client who comes through the doors
By Hilary Dartt | Photo by Trisha Shaffer
Prescott Woman magazine sat down with some of Polara Health’s women in leadership to talk about why they do what they do and what makes the organization special.
Cindy Brown, Developmental Director
Seven years with Polara Health
Cindy Brown loves the connections she makes in her work which, as she sees it, is finding the funding to fill gaps, especially as funding from the federal government and insurance have decreased. “The pressure is really on to find those dollars to fill in.”
Her goal: to be a part of Polara Health’s evolution into what the community and the world need right now, which is whole-person care.
“I love development because I get to do so much with individual donors. I love the one on one of meeting with donors and sharing stories about Polara Health.”
Also, it’s important to grow and nurture a culture of philanthropy within the organization; employees can (and do) make regular charitable contributions through their paychecks. Cindy said Polara is an Arizona Tax Qualifying Charitable Organization, which is “a great way to reinvest in our community.”
“The connection in our community that Polara Health offers—that’s a really big deal.”
Deanna Eder, Director of Marketing and Communications
Five years with Polara Health
Deanna Eder earned her degree in marketing and paused her career to raise her kids. Even though she wasn’t “working” during that time, she volunteered “a ton” and was on as many as five different nonprofit boards at one time.
So when she was ready to go back to work and met Tamara Player, Polara Health’s President and CEO, she knew she’d found a great match: “She had just started this job and I thought, ‘I want to work for her.’”
It wasn’t just “her vision for the organization”; it was also her leadership skills and passion.
Five years later, Deanna said, she loves her job which is, “to get the word out about this organization.”
Specifically, she said, to let people know that Polara Health is “in this community and for this community.”
Since the organization opened its doors (as West Yavapai Guidance Clinic) in 1966, she said, “it’s evolved a lot. We’re doing amazing stuff.”
“We just want people to know we’re here when a concern arises. It doesn’t matter what crisis you’re in—your crisis is your crisis. Just walk through our doors.”
Brenda Fox, Clinical Training Manager
Eight years with Polara Health
“I am a Licensed Professional Counselor who has had the privilege of working for Polara Health for eight years in various roles. I currently help support our staff in providing quality care to our clients. I have worked in the field of behavioral health for 15 years and before this I was a secondary education teacher in math and science. I believe as a team we can help anyone through their personal journey of obtaining mental well-being.”
One of my favorite quotes (by an unknown author) is: “When ‘I’ is replaced by ‘we,’ even illness becomes wellness.”
Leah May, Director of Behavioral Health Services
Nine years with Polara Health
With a rich background in healthcare and six years working for the Department of Children’s Services in this community, Leah May has a passion for therapy: “I got into it wanting to have an effect on families trying to get support with their kids, and with getting their kids back.”
Signing on with Polara Health meant continuing that journey, and she got her specialization in early childhood work (birth to five years old).
While she loves therapy and believes therapists can make such a difference in the lives of their clients, she’s also excited about how a leadership role helps her set up systems that will sustain beyond her, allowing community members access to care.
“The health of our community effects everybody on every level,” she said, which highlights the importance of having systems to support everyone.
Courtney Rouston, Assistant Medical Director
Three years with Polara Health
When Courtney saw a need—for someone to manage and support Polara’s nurse practitioners—she proposed a new position. Upper management approved it, and, she said, “I love every minute.”
She enjoys building relationships and seeing improvement; “seeing somebody come to you at their worst, and every appointment they tell you they got a job, a car, housing—you slowly see them rebuild.”
Courtney started her healthcare career as a cardiovascular ICU nurse and earned her psychiatric nurse practitioner’s license when she saw how people struggling with mental health are often “wildly underserved.”
Robin Valdivia, Director of Inpatient Relations
Nine years with Polara Health
Knowing several people who have suffered from mental health issues and substance abuse, Robin’s work is very personal to her. “I want to see people be successful.”
Before coming to work for Polara, Robin worked in juvenile detention for 17 years; meanwhile she earned her bachelors and master’s degrees in criminal justice. Although she was uncertain about whether she wanted to work with adults, she feels like it’s been a great fit.
“I know adults that were in the juvenile system. I’ve seen so many of them come through our doors to get sober. I also know a lot of people who have changed since becoming adults.”
It’s important for her clients to know, she said, “I don’t care if you’ve been in here ten times. We’re going to take you the eleventh time. That seed is going to be planted at some point.”
At Polara, she worked as a case manager, social worker, crisis therapist and in behavioral health therapy before moving into leadership roles.
Her goal throughout every step: “to make sure we can get rid of that stigma—that ‘we can’t help you, you’ll always be a drug addict or an alcoholic.’ I’ve seen too many people come out of this and be successful.”
Henley Walker, Clinical Manager of Adult Services
Four years with Polara Health
“I am committed to serving our community in Yavapai County,” she said. “I appreciate being part of an organization whose values align closely with my own. I look forward to furthering our efforts and continuing to collaborate with community partners.”
Donna Warren, Operations Manager
Twelve years with Polara Health
Donna considers her work with Polara Health a calling. When she moved here 20 years ago, her original role was to provide direct support to children and families in their homes. “It’s been nothing but a blessing ever since,” she said.
As her position evolved, her passion stayed the same: “I still like to help those families and stay involved in my community.”
“Supporting the clients and seeing them change and making sure we’re there to wrap around them—that is my very favorite thing.”
According to the other women from Polara, she’s become a go-to person—no matter the circumstance. She’s set up and taken down for events, filled in at the Crisis Stabilization Unit, put on Zoom calls for families during COVID, and more.
“I talk about Polara Health wherever I go,” Donna said, adding that she carries brochures in her car.
Donna isn’t alone when it comes to the level of passion she feels for what she does.
“Working with these wonderful ladies makes sure all of this sustains beyond us,” Leah said. The organization becomes a place where “you just walk in and get what you need.”
“We just open our doors,” Deanna said.
That’s true for employees, too, Robin said. “We want to be the employer of choice.”
“This is a great group of folks we work with,” Cindy said. “Everybody lives it here. We have got great things on the horizon.”
Sidebar:
Here is a list of additional manager-level women employees at Polara Health.
Michelle Robert, Director of Revenue Cycle Management
Leah Webb, Clinical Manager of Children’s Services
Jane Robinson, Clinical Site Supervisor
Rachel Zachary, Site Manager
Heather Lores, Human Resources Manager
Karelia Garcia, Manager of Customer Engagement
Shari Henshaw, Nurse Manager, The Healing Place
Rachele Huard, Nurse Manager, Connections Center
Constance Brawley, Nurse Manager, Crisis Stabilization Unit