Inland Northwest Behavioral Health

As part of Social Work Month, we want to introduce you to our outstanding Lead Social Worker, Erin Thacker! Erin was born and raised in Spokane and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Eastern Washington University. Erin’s interest, passion and love for this level of care and the social work field were inspired by her professor, LuAnn Brown. Erin has been at INBH for five years, changing patients' lives and spreading positivity throughout the hospital. Erin gravitated towards working in this level of care due to adversities she’s experienced in her own life; having a family member struggle with mental illness, as well as losing her best friend to suicide her senior year of high school. Educating families and providing support to patients are just a few of her favorite parts of her role as she understands the difficulties of navigating the mental health system. This support, education and compassion helps them understand the circumstances their loved ones are coping with. Thank you, Erin, for finding the strengths in our patients and for empowering them on their wellness journey. INBH and our patients are lucky to have you working here. You are an inspiration to all of us! In memory of Erin’s best friend, Alexandra Jane Bull, who passed away on March 24, 2001.

Recently, members of INBH had the honor of attending this year's YWCA USA Women of Achievement Luncheon. Several remarkable women were recognized for their honorable work and achievements in the Spokane community. This is an incredible event we look forward to every year to celebrate the work being done by the YWCA and women across all agencies and areas of work. #WomensHistoryMonth

March 17-21 is LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week. We believe that everyone deserves health, happiness and hope for the future! We believe in lifting others up and encouraging people to be their true authentic self. Please consider scheduling any annual check-ups, assessments, or treatments if you could use some extra support. To learn more about the services we offer, visit https://spklr.io/60454SG3.

Shout-out to our healthcare HR employees! It takes effort from all different departments and specialties for healthcare agencies to thrive. We are so grateful for our Human Resources team at INBH, who always put the needs of others ahead of themselves. We could not care for patients without you caring for us, so thank you!

In honor of celebrating and appreciating our amazing employees, we are proud to share the experience of Cory Phipps, a maintenance technician in our Plant Operations department. Cory recently sat down to share his story. We asked him what he enjoys most about working at INBH. Cory stated, "The work environment! What means most to me is seeing the appreciation from the patients, even just changing a battery or helping with a simple fix, the patients are always so grateful. I feel like I am really impacting patients and their care here; it's more than just a job but rather seeing the effects of what I do and the impact it has on the overall patient experience." He also added that he enjoys coming to work. He is treated with respect and kindness, and feels like his opinions are valued and heard. It's people like Cory who make INBH a special place. Thank you, Cory, for your dedication to our patients and our facility. You are appreciated and valued by us all!

March is Social Work Month! We want to raise awareness and support for the essential work social workers do and the crucial role they play in society. This year's theme is compassion and awareness, as published by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). The social workers at INBH are committed to working compassionately with patients and bringing awareness to the social and emotional needs of all people in the Spokane community. We will be recognizing our social workers all month, so stay tuned for more information on the incredible work they are doing near you! #SocialWorkMonth

This year on International Women's Day, we are celebrating all the hard-working, inspiring and compassionate women who make us feel special and become better people every day! Find time today to thank a woman in your life who has positively impacted you! #InternationalWomensDay

This is a reminder that Daylight Saving Time begins tonight! Be sure to adjust your clocks and routines for a successful transition! Spring is here!

Today is National Employee Appreciation Day! Please help us thank our outstanding staff for all they do. We are beyond lucky to have talented and passionate individuals who choose to dedicate their lives to improving the mental health of others. The selfless hard work, compassion, and drive our employees demonstrate are just a few qualities them stand out! We are so grateful for each and every member of our team. We know that without you, we would not be where we are today! #EmployeeAppreciation

#BlackHistoryMonth is an opportunity for our community to come together to honor, recognize and celebrate the Black community. We stand for empowering wellness and inspiring hope for all. As the month of February comes to a close, we want to honor the Black pioneers who made a difference in the world of mental health. We encourage you to visit https://spklr.io/6045NnsT to learn more.