When Josie D'Annunzio Faix was contacted recently by an official from United Hospital Center, she wasn’t totally alarmed. When you’re deeply involved for a long time on very high and personal levels at the facility, dealing with and hearing from individuals on a regular basis is commonplace.

 

This encounter, however, was different. It practically left Faix speechless.

 

Robert Williams, Ph.D., and director of Behavioral Health Services at United Hospital Center and Executive Director of United Summit Center had let her know they would like to put her name on a new recovery program at United Summit Center. This particular program is a special one.

 

The name of the program.  — Josie’s Hope. The goal of the program is to provide assistance for addicted, pregnant mothers as well as their babies. It’s a program we first reported on back on Feb. 25. At that time, however, the new program that will be situated on the top floor of the three-story building at the Market Place at Bridgeport across from UHC did not have a name.

 

It does now. And it’s in honor of Faix.

 

“I was so overwhelmed. I can think of so many other people that deserve this, but not me. I’m just a regular person,” said Faix.

 

Williams would disagree with Faix being “regular.” In fact, he pointed to her contributions to health care on many fronts for decades as a reason she was the choice.

 

“Josie has been highly significant in her contributions to health care in general and mental health care in particular,” said Williams. “She’s served on both UHC Board of Directors (at the previous Clarksburg location and the new location in Bridgeport) and is a charter member of the United Summit Center Board. This is an honor to her contributions to the community in those areas and so many more.”

 

The new program at the Market Place is situated across from the hospital and directly beside the entrance to another development – White Oaks. Williams said mothers can enter Josie’s Hope’s program after the first trimester. The mothers and babies can then stay, as needed, until the baby is up to six-months-old.

 

“Josie’s Hope is a drug-free environment where the mothers can be in a safe area,” said Williams, who added those that arrive will do so from UHC referrals, as well as other hospitals and medical professionals across West Virginia.

 

Whitney Oliverio will serve as the program coordinator for the program once it opens. Williams said he expects it to be ready to receive its first mothers and babies later this summer.

“I have a special interest in this population. Most of what I will do is coordinate everything on the unit and be influential on the clinical structure of what is done when those needing help are there,” said Oliverio.

 

Williams and Oliverio said the goal is a simple one. And that is to help the mother overcome addiction, produce good parents and keep mom and baby together.

 

“I think you’ll see more programs, and that we’ll probably need more programs, like this here and in other areas,” said Oliverio.

 

Both Williams and Oliverio didn’t want to downplay the problems related to drugs, mothers and newborns. However, Williams said statements he’s heard that roughly 50 percent of all babies born at UHC are addicted to drugs is overblown.

 

“It’s a myth. National stats of babies of neo-natal abstinence syndrome show nationwide at roughly 33 babies born per 1,000 with the syndrome, which is way too high and factors out to 3.3 percent babies born. At UHC, we had roughly 1,100 babies last year and around 50 (4.5 percent) had the syndrome, which is again too high,” said Williams. “Those numbers here and at the state level are well below 50 percent, which is an urban legend. At the same time, that’s way too big of a number. One baby is too big of a number.”

 

United Summit Center’s latest addition is seeing work now at the Market Place building, which will also have a Residential Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit that will serve basically as a residential overnight facility for children with 14 beds, is just one in many things being done to address the issues of addiction involving newborns.

 

“United Hospital has several great programs for these babies, including a high number of women who volunteer to comfort the babies that are treated for withdrawal symptoms,” said Williams. “The volunteers cuddle the babies and give them comfort in a quiet area and it’s something we’ve been doing for a couple of years. It’s worked great and we hope to find more programs that provide benefits to mothers and their babies.”

 

Faix, who also has ties to the Health Access Board of Directors and the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce among many others, said the program is a noble one. Because of that, having her name on it is something special to her.

 

“When (Williams) told me, I honestly just kept saying ‘wow.’ I know how important this is to our area and how needed a program like this is,” said Faix. “When you see the numbers it just blows your mind and this is something that is aimed at fixing the problem of addiction and give a child a fresh and fair start at life. I can assure you it’s gratifying to be a part of this.”