Nightingale Award

May 16, 2019

The nightingale award is the highest international distinction a nurse can achieve and is awarded to nurses or nursing aides for “exceptional courage and devotion to the wounded, sick or disabled or to civilian victims of a conflict or disaster”. The Root Center for Advanced Recovery is proud to announce this year’s recipient Lisa Barbati. Lisa Barbati has devoted herself to a career of care, providing the Root Center for Advanced Recovery with 20 years of nursing experience. As an agency that focuses on mental health and addiction services, Lisa has proven to be a dedicated employee assisting individuals on their path to recovery. The journey to recovery is difficult as it presents obstacles that in some cases can be life threatening. With 50,000 people dying every year and 1,000 overdoses each day, there is no denying that the opioid epidemic has affected many communities here in Connecticut. Henderson Johnson, where Lisa is primarily deployed, supports approximately 800 clients daily for methadone maintenance, mental health, and education on eliminating the stigma of substance disorder.

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September 28, 2026
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Root Center Welcomes Samantha Howard as Director of Operations! Root Center is excited to welcome Samantha Howard, M.A., LPC, as our new Director of Operations! Samantha joins our leadership team with more than a decade of behavioral healthcare experience spanning clinical leadership, operations, program development, quality improvement, and staff supervision. Throughout her career, she has remained dedicated to supporting high-quality care, strengthening teams, and improving services for both patients and providers. Samantha previously worked at Root, and prior to returning, she gained valuable experience at Yale University's PRIME Clinic, where she further developed her expertise in behavioral healthcare operations and program leadership. Samantha's journey has come full circle as she returns to Root Center with expanded experience, fresh perspectives, and a continued commitment to supporting individuals, families, and communities. In her new role as Director of Operations, Samantha will help support the continued growth and success of Root Center's programs and services while advancing our commitment to providing high-quality care across Connecticut. We are thrilled to welcome Samantha back to Root Center and look forward to the leadership, collaboration, and expertise she will bring to our team. Please join us in welcoming Samantha to this exciting new chapter!
September 10, 2026
Honoring Lives Lost, Supporting Recovery, and Renewing Hope The Memorial Garden was filled with reflection, connection, and hope as community members gathered for Root Center for Advanced Recovery's annual International Overdose Awareness Day Remembrance Ceremony on August 31.  Each year, this event brings together patients, families, staff, community partners, and local leaders to honor the lives lost to overdose and support those who continue to navigate substance use disorder and recovery. Through shared stories, meaningful traditions, and moments of remembrance, attendees were reminded that behind every loss is a person who mattered deeply and behind every recovery journey is hope for the future.
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