I truly believe we're a product of our past.
I had a desire to learn about mine, and
in learning, I found I had a talent to help
people improve their lives.
DEBBIE ANDERSON, MS, LPC, NCC, DIRECTOR OF
SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL SERVICES AT
CHI MERCY HEALTH
Imagine Better Health
INSIGHTS MERCY
Fall 2015
Debbie Anderson's greatest joy comes from
helping others.
"I grew up in foster care and had a very challenging past,"
says Debbie Anderson, MS, LPC, NCC, Director of Social and
Behavioral Services at CHI Mercy Health. "My background has
given me a unique ability to help people overcome the same
things I've gone through."
A valuable resource to Valley City, Debbie serves as a social
worker, assisting people with nding the various resources
they need, and as a counselor, helping people cope with grief,
depression, or thoughts of suicide.
"Behavioral health services are among our biggest needs, but
local resources are limited," Debbie says. "It may take six weeks for
someone to see a medical professional. They can talk to me right
now—I'll make the time to defuse a crisis."
Debbie moved to Valley City 18 years ago with her husband,
a Valley City native, and has worked at CHI Mercy Health for more
than 10 years. She rst came to the hospital with Wellness in the
Valley, a suicide prevention and intervention program she still runs.
When she's not working, Debbie enjoys spending time
with her ve children and four grandchildren and is active in
her church. But no matter where she is, she nds a sense of
fulllment.
"I love what I do, and I do what I love," Debbie says. "That's
my motto. The most rewarding part of my job is serving my
community."
DRAWN TO SERVICE:
DEBBIE ANDERSON
