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Written by Richard Dehnert   
Jody Marion named Employee of Year for Verde Valley Guidance Clinic
Verde Valley Guidance Clinic
Jody Marion’s office wall reflects her popularity among fellow employees at Verde Valley Guidance Clinic, with two employee of the year and two peer recognition awards on display.
Jody Marion’s office wall reflects her popularity among fellow employees at Verde Valley Guidance Clinic, with two employee of the year and two peer recognition awards on display.

Jody V. Marion has been honored as the Verde Valley Guidance Clinic employee of the year for 2010.

This is the second time in four years that Ms. Marion has received the award, having previously been voted for the recognition by the clinic staff in 2007.

Ms. Marion is a native Arizonan and a 14 year veteran of VVGC. She serves as the Clinic's Hospital and Jail Liaison and as an Adult Case Manager for the seriously mentally ill. She works closely with clinicians as well as the crisis team and psychiatry departments.

Ms Marion also serves on the clinic's Team for Organizational Improvement.

She has over 20 years experience with co-occurring psychiatric and substance abuse disorders. Prior to joining Verde Valley Guidance Clinic, she worked for the Arizona Division of Behavioral Health Services and Arizona State Hospital as well as the regional behavioral health authority for Maricopa County and the West Yavapai Guidance Clinic in Prescott.

Ms. Marion credits her coworkers and Clinic management for her success, stating, "I work with a great group of professionals at VVGC, who are dedicated to helping empower and promote recovery for the clients we serve. I am fortunate to work in the Northern Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Authority system and for VVGC whose Board of Directors believes in our mission statement, 'To offer those we serve an opportunity for recovery through hope, empowerment, partnership, and compassion'."

The Verde Valley Guidance Clinic's Adult Program Director, Monty Bondurant spoke highly of Ms. Marion's variety of skills, "In my many years of working in the behavioral health field, Jody has been one of the more exceptional case managers. She not only has strong clinical skills, but has also demonstrated outstanding collaboration and coordination abilities in her role as hospital and jail liaison. She has earned the respect of her peers within the agency as evidenced by this award and is also highly respected by the many other organizations that interact with her."

Ms. Marion appreciates the support, stating, "I am very thankful to the wonderful mentors I have had including my supervisor Monty Bondurant, Adult Program Director who has over 30 years of expertise in the mental health field as well as Verde Valley Guidance Clinic CEO Robert Cartia." She credits Cartia with making the Verde Valley Guidance Clinic a nationally recognized leader in the use of technology and innovative programs.

Ms. Marion is married to her high school sweetheart, Jim. Together they enjoy many outdoor activities and travel with family, friends and walks with their four Pomeranian's.

Three other employees of the Verde Valley Guidance Clinic were honored with peer recognition awards, also voted upon by colleagues. They are Ben Taylor, Ph.D, Crisis Specialist,  Paulette English, Quality Assurance and Shelley Freese Accounts Processor.