We are excited to announce the appointment of Jamie Bercich as Executive Director of JourneyPure at The River. This facility is one of the jewels in the Regard Recovery family of facilities and offers a wide range of therapeutic options on over 100 acres of property outside Nashville, TN. In her new role, Jamie will oversee the facility’s day-to-day operation, which is a fitting position for someone who has spent the past five years dedicated to our mission of exceptional care. Below, we invite you to meet Jamie and learn more about JourneyPure at the River.
Your career with Journey Pure started five years ago as the Business Office Manager. Tell us a little about the positions you’ve had at Journey Pure at the River and how they led to where you are today.
As the Business Office Manager, I met with every patient multiple times throughout their stay. I was able to create an authentic rapport with most. Having family members who struggled with addiction allowed me to connect with patients’ loved ones on a different level. I followed each patient’s stay very closely to ensure insurance coverage was up to par, and I connected with all departments at the River to ensure accuracy. I began to learn all aspects of the River, making me a perfect candidate for Program Director. As Program Director, while my focus was documentation quality, licensure, and state reporting, I would be anywhere I needed to be. People often ask specifically what I did, and my answer would always be, “any and everything.”
What fueled your passion for helping those who struggle with addiction and mental health disorders?
Before I started at the River, I had seen people very close to me struggle with addiction, but I was clueless about what that meant. To me, the addict was the homeless person under the bridge. I then learned how much this disease impacts so many people. Almost everyone you know knows someone who has struggled with addiction. I have seen this disease destroy not only people but also their families. For me, it’s about giving people an opportunity for a life they never deemed possible.
As Executive Director, what is your vision for JPATR?
To help as many people as possible and have fun while doing it.
What qualities or strengths do you look for when building your team?
Compassion, empathy, and assertiveness.
What do you wish more people knew about JPATR and its staff?
The aspect of compassion we use when treating our patients. Most of the staff is in recovery or have loved ones that have battled addiction. I always like to tell patients that it’s our job to fight for them when they do not fight themselves.
How would you describe the JPATR location and experience to someone who has only seen photos online?
Rehab meets summer camp. It’s just a stunning place where we offer fun and therapeutic activities. We sit on 127 acres that back up to Stones River.
What do you find to be the most rewarding aspect of your job?
The transformation people make from their admission to their discharge.
When not at work, what do you enjoy doing?
I am a mother of 2, so they take up a lot of time. We are usually at the soccer field. I love UT football; go, vols! I love anything outdoors: swimming, hiking, fishing. You can also usually find me watching true crime.
Do you have a favorite mantra or quote?
“The best portion of a good man’s life is his little, nameless, unencumbered acts of kindness and love.” — Wordsworth.
What else would you want people to know about you?
My primary mission in life is to treat others how I wish to be treated.
From the JourneyPure team where we get to explore a wide variety of substance abuse- and mental health-related topics. With years of experience working alongside those suffering from substance abuse and mental health issues, we bring important messages with unparalleled knowledge of addiction, mental health problems, and the issues they cause.