Alumni
Recovery is a lifelong journey
MBH Onward … Because Staying Connected After Treatment Makes All the Difference
Treatment is just the beginning. Recovery is a lifelong journey, and we’ve seen firsthand how staying connected to those who’ve been there can make all the difference. That’s why our Meadows Behavioral Healthcare Alumni Association, MBH Onward, exists — to provide alumni of all MBH programs with ongoing resources and community to empower them to continue the work they began during treatment.
“Our sole purpose is to be here for you, to provide a safe place for community and authenticity, to engage each graduate on day 1 and still have them engaged on day 1,000.”
Aleah Johnson
Director of Alumni Outreach and Development
What We Offer
A Dedicated Alumni Staff
We have a team that is here to actively support your recovery long after you leave our programs. New graduates can expect outreach calls on their first day, week, and month out of treatment, followed by a 90-day check-in. We’re here for you in between as well, never more than a phone call away. We also plan special events, weekly support groups and develop app content to keep you connected and engaged.
Alumni Newsletters
Our monthly online newsletters highlight various opportunities each month while offering encouragement to all alumni. There is also information about Meadows-trained therapists in your area, a mid-month connection affirmation email, details about upcoming Facebook Live events, and other recommendations. Oh, and rest assured that we’ll never share or sell your email address.
Daily Virtual Groups
Announced through weekly email reminders, we offer opportunities to gather online with other alumni seven days a week. In addition to our popular Recovery Enhancement Groups, we’re expanding to include specialty topics, interactive recovery sessions, and meetings that follow a 12-Step format. As with other Alumni Association offerings, these groups are free to anyone who has completed an MBH program. [NOTE: As COVID restrictions are lifted, we will resume offering in-person options at our Meadows Outpatient Centers in Scottsdale, Dallas, and Silicon Valley.]
Alumni Events
Focused on engagement and inspiration, these events are held at a variety of different locations across the country. Typically, a trusted local resource shares their expertise, delivering a recovery-related presentation followed by a hands-on expressive arts project or other creative activity. These Alumni Events are free of charge with the exception of Alumni Weekend.
Social Media
Our MBH Onward Facebook page is the latest addition, but many Meadows facilities are also active on social media. These options allow alumni to stay informed and find encouragement on Instagram and Facebook, so look for us online.
Onward Allies
This initiative was created to provide opportunities for alumni to connect and share their experience, strength, and hope with other MBH alums in your area. As an Onward Ally contact, you will help us reiterate The Meadows message and offer a continuum of support. If you’re interested in serving other alumni in this way, we require that you have at least six months of recovery.
Meet Aleah Johnson
Vice President of Alumni Outreach and Family Services, Certified Recovery Coach
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Aleah Johnson earned her undergraduate degree from Washington State University in leadership and professional studies with an emphasis on event design. Prior to joining…
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, Aleah Johnson earned her undergraduate degree from Washington State University in leadership and professional studies with an emphasis on event design. Prior to joining the Meadows Behavioral Healthcare team, she worked as an event planner, where weddings and social gatherings were her specialty. It was only after she found that planning parties and being the life of the party went hand in hand with addiction for her, that she knew it was time to seek help. Through her own recovery journey, Johnson felt there had to be a higher purpose for her life and work. Wanting to make a change, she applied for a job with MBH, packed what she could fit in her car, and headed for Arizona. Now she channels those event planning skills into recovery-related events and programs. Being able to spend time with alumni after they complete treatment, hearing about their accomplishments, and helping them overcome setbacks are highlights of the job. Johnson’s primary focuses are connection and community, using those to provide safe places and platforms for alum from any of our programs to be able to gain knowledge and connect with others to be successful on their recovery journey.
Read MoreMeet Rosie Martinez
Alumni Outreach Manager
A fifth generation Arizona native, Rosie Martinez was born in Phoenix. Her most recent work experience was in the nonprofit sector, serving as the community director for notMYkid, an organization…
A fifth generation Arizona native, Rosie Martinez was born in Phoenix. Her most recent work experience was in the nonprofit sector, serving as the community director for notMYkid, an organization that provides children and families with lifesaving programs, support, resources, and education.
In her role as an alumni outreach manager, Martinez works with alumni of all Meadows Behavioral Healthcare programs, hosting groups meetings and planning alumni retreats and events. One of her favorite parts of the job is hearing everyone’s stories and witnessing the next chapter that each alum is writing for themselves.
In mental health recovery therapy herself for more than seven years, she says she’s excited to be “working with an amazing team of individuals that have knowledge and experience within the behavioral health industry” who she can learn from.
A newlywed, Martinez enjoys traveling in Arizona with her husband and their two performance roping horses.
Meet Anne McQuaid, MA, LPC
Alumni Outreach Specialist
Anne McQuaid joined MBH back in 1999 as a family therapist before becoming a primary therapist and eventually going on to work in the Alumni program. A graduate of Ottawa…
Anne McQuaid joined MBH back in 1999 as a family therapist before becoming a primary therapist and eventually going on to work in the Alumni program. A graduate of Ottawa University, she holds a bachelor’s degree in human services and a master’s in professional counseling as well as two chemical dependency certificates.
Originally from Mankato, Minnesota, McQuaid has served as a family counselor at Phoenix Shanti, a center for people living with HIV/AIDS, and Dignity Program, designed for prostitutes who have been arrested and choose to participate in a self-help program in lieu of serving jail time. She has also been part of Girl Scouts Beyond Bars, a program to allow the daughters of incarcerated women to belong to a Girl Scout troop and visit their mothers in jail.
Growing up in an alcoholic, dysfunctional home, McQuaid says she developed her own dysfunctional behaviors. Many years of personal therapy left her wanting to give back. She’s spent her career doing just that, and her current role allows her to connect with alumni from all over the world and to assist them in connecting with each other.
Passionate about wanting to empower people to be able to connect with themselves and have a voice, McQuaid has many other passions as well. Divorced with two grown children and two granddaughters, she enjoys reading, paint by number, watching TV, and attending concerts, plays, and movies.
Meet Rachele Rogers
Alumni Outreach Specialist
Joining MBH is January 2022, Rachele Rogers is originally from Omaha, Nebraska, but she grew up in Colorado before moving to San Diego for high school and college. She earned…
Joining MBH is January 2022, Rachele Rogers is originally from Omaha, Nebraska, but she grew up in Colorado before moving to San Diego for high school and college. She earned a BA in psychology from San Diego State University then became a manager in the hospitality industry in 2005.
Looking for a change from the hotel business and always passionate about helping people, the role of alumni outreach specialist seemed like a perfect fit for Rogers. Today, she works with the management team to implement initiatives that increase company visibility within the alumni community, providing support for their recovery journey.
Married, with four dogs, Rogers enjoys yoga, reading, sewing and anything outside, from “Jeeping” and gardening to nature walks, kayaking, and more.
Meet Ezra Sydnor
Research Assistant
New York native Ezra Sydnor earned his BS in psychology from Rochester Institute of Technology. He also holds an AA in communications and media from Dutchess Community College. Wanting to…
New York native Ezra Sydnor earned his BS in psychology from Rochester Institute of Technology. He also holds an AA in communications and media from Dutchess Community College. Wanting to have more clinical research under his belt before transitioning to graduate school for neuroscience, he came to Meadows Behavioral Healthcare in 2020 to work with staff on completing outcomes research testing across our campuses. He also follows up and collects clinical data from alumni following discharge.
Prior to joining the MBH team, he volunteered in clinical psychology labs, looking at impulsivity and addictive behaviors, and he worked in a neuroscience lab with mouse models at Columbia University. “I really enjoy getting to explore data sets, especially finding interesting results that weren’t necessarily the original goal but help me better understand the populations I study,” Sydnor says of his work. An artist as well as a researcher, his favorite things to do are watch movies and rock climb.
Admissions
Our Admissions team is here to help 24 hours a day and is experienced in assisting others with compassion, dignity, and respect — hallmark values of The Meadows for more than 45 years. The Meadows’ Admissions Specialists are here to help you on your way to a healthier and more productive lifestyle. When you call, they will lead you through a series of questions to determine if The Meadows is a good fit, and how soon your treatment can begin. If you are interested in The Meadows for yourself or a loved one, call or fill out an admissions form today!
If you are interested in The Meadows for yourself or a loved one call or fill out an admissions form today!
Contact our Admissions office
866-330-1925
For international callers
928-668-1999
Or complete an admissions contact form:
Click below to start the admissions process today