Authors: Dr. Marissa Leslie, Medical Director, and Erin VanLuven, LCSW-C, Vice President and Site Leader
Compass Health Center – Silver Spring
As we reflect on our first year providing immediate access to specialized mental health care in Silver Spring, Maryland, we are filled with pride and gratitude for the journey we've undertaken and the impact we've made. This blog serves as a moment to pause, celebrate our accomplishments, and share our excitement for the future.
Dr. Marissa Leslie, Medical Director: “I want to reflect on the past year as a time of learning and growth, where we embraced the Compass Health Center approach, developed a strong sense of teamwork, and began to carve out our unique identity in Silver Spring. The prospect of impacting even more lives across the DMV in the coming year is both motivating and exhilarating.”
Erin VanLuven, LCSW-C, Vice President and Site Leader: “I echo these sentiments and want to highlight how incredible it has been to be part of such a passionate, dedicated, and skilled team! We are deeply proud to serve this community and are committed to continuing our mission of changing lives every day through our evidence-based specialty mental health programs. As we look ahead, we are eager to build on our successes and expand our reach even further.”
Reflection on the First Year: Staff Highlight
In our first year, the Silver Spring, Maryland, team has shown incredible dedication to embracing the Compass Health Center approach to patient-centered care, refining our processes, and prioritizing what matters most—clinical interactions with our patients. Our staff has worked tirelessly to integrate new methodologies while ensuring that our mental health services remain patient-centered and effective. This commitment has not only strengthened our clinical practices but also allowed our experienced and passionate staff to focus more on delivering high-quality care. Their dedication has been evident in every patient interaction, contributing to an impactful year of fostering long-term patient well-being.
At our Silver Spring location, we foster a vibrant and inclusive work culture through various staff events that celebrate diversity and well-being. Our cultural potlucks bring the team together to share and enjoy diverse cuisines, while our team yoga activities promote relaxation and mindfulness. We also host a Minority Mental Health Awareness Panel to engage in important discussions and raise awareness within our community. Additionally, our popular Clean Sneaker Fridays have been such a hit that they’re now an everyday occurrence, allowing staff to express their style and comfort throughout the week.
Notable Milestones
Over the past year, we have had the privilege of serving over 400 patients across Maryland, DC, and Virginia, providing critical care in areas such as depression and other mood disorders, anxiety, OCD, trauma, school anxiety and refusal, co-occurring substance use, and more. This achievement could not have been possible without the hard work of our clinicians and staff, who prioritize quality care each day.
Notably, our partnership with CareFirst has been a significant recent milestone, enhancing our ability to provide comprehensive care to the nearly 3.5 million CareFirst members in the Mid-Atlantic. This collaboration has already started to elevate the level of care we can offer, and we look forward to continuing this journey of growth and excellence in patient care.
Patient Feedback & Outcomes
Throughout 2023-24, patient feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with key data reflecting high satisfaction rates and successful treatment outcomes across our programs. Our patients report a 4.7 out of 5 rating for total satisfaction, with key average highs in feeling listened to (4.77 out of 5), professionalism (4.92 out of 5), and feeling safe and secure (4.76 out of 5). Patients repeatedly praise the quality of our group therapy sessions, highlighting the skills taught and the supportive environment fostered by our skilled therapists. Patients have also emphasized Compass Health Center’s commitment to maintaining a safe group setting where individual needs are balanced with the collective well-being of the group. This feedback has been invaluable, offering us insights into the strengths of our approach while also guiding us to areas where we can continue to improve.
Addressing Identified Needs
Compass Health Center – Silver Spring, Maryland, leadership and staff are also committed to addressing any gaps identified and further enhancing our services. One of our key initiatives will be to streamline tasks for our clinicians and staff, allowing them to focus more on direct patient interactions and creating a safe, nurturing environment during treatment. We are also increasing administrative support for our front-line clinicians and psychiatry team, ensuring they have the resources needed to provide the best possible care.
Future Plans: Upcoming Initiatives
As we look ahead, our Silver Spring, Maryland, location remains deeply committed to advancing our mission of providing exceptional mental health care. Our vision for the future includes expanding our services to reach more communities, continually refining our therapeutic approaches, and fostering a culture of innovation and excellence. Beyond expanding our services, we are also planning several community engagement activities, including back-to-school workshops, mental health awareness events, and sponsoring non-profit fundraisers to foster a stronger connection with the communities we serve. These initiatives are part of our ongoing commitment to not only providing exceptional care but also building a supportive network that extends beyond our clinic walls. With a focus on continuous improvement and a patient-centered approach, we are excited to build on our huge first-year successes and explore new opportunities for growth and impact in the coming years.
Gratitude & Looking Ahead
As we close out our first year and look ahead to the future, Compass Health Center – Silver Spring, Maryland, is more committed than ever to providing compassionate, high-quality mental health care to our patients. With a strong foundation, exciting new initiatives on the horizon, and a dedicated team, we are poised to continue making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. We are grateful for the trust our patients and community have placed in us and are eager to build on this momentum in the years to come.
Sincerely,
Dr. Marissa Leslie, Medical Director, & Erin VanLuven, LCSW-C, Vice President and Site Leader
Compass Health Center – Silver Spring
Further Reading:
