The following speech was delivered by a member of Riverside’s Talent Acquisition Team as they accepted the Excellence in Administration & Finance Award at the Association for Behavioral Healthcare’s 2025 Salute to Excellence.
On behalf of the entire Talent Acquisition team, we are deeply honored to accept this award. Standing here today represents more than recognition of our efforts; it symbolizes the collective dedication, compassion, and collaboration that define Riverside Community Care. We are so proud to be part of a mission‑driven organization where every hire helps us strengthen the care and support that we provide to individuals, families, and communities.
The work of talent acquisition is often behind the scenes—connecting amazing people with meaningful opportunities, fostering lasting connections, and ensuring that every role contributes to something bigger. This award affirms that our shared purpose shines through every resume reviewed, every interview conducted, and every new hire onboarded. It’s a testament to the belief that people truly are the heart of Riverside.
We want to sincerely thank our executive leadership team for their continued guidance and trust. Your vision has inspired us to innovate, to align hiring with strategic goals, and to uphold the values that make Riverside such a special place to work. To our colleagues across programs, thank you for partnering with us daily—your collaboration and commitment make talent acquisition far more than a process; it is a partnership built on mutual respect and shared success.
To our own team members—your passion and professionalism are unmatched. You’ve navigated complex hiring landscapes, adapted to changes, and treated every candidate interaction as an opportunity to make a difference. Your teamwork and resilience embody Riverside’s culture in its truest form.
Accepting this award is not the highlight of our work but a moment of reflection and renewed motivation. It reminds us that the people we hire today become tomorrow’s advocates and leaders in behavioral and mental health services. It reinforces that the quality of our workforce directly impacts lives and communities.
Thank you to Riverside Community Care for nurturing an environment where we can all grow and succeed together.
Congratulations to our award-winning team!
Tiffany Kowarsky, Onboarding Specialist
Rebekah Simmons, Director of Talent Acquisition and Onboarding
Cheryl Smith, Talent Acquisition Manager
Daphne Meus, Senior Talent Acquisition Specialist
Athena Furman, Talent Acquisition Coordinator
