Vicki Sterling, program director of behavioral health services at the Washington County Health Department was named employee of the quarter for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024.
Sterling celebrates eight years with the organization in December.
Her nomination was for “demonstrating strong leadership and dedication to the team, encouraging staff to explore creative methods and problem solving for service delivery, which has supported the organization’s ability to adapt and respond to challenges.”
Sterling went to school “as a non-traditional-age student and fell in love with social work,” she says. She believes she has “always had a passion for the field since her mom worked in the world of mental health.”
Her nomination notes her own “flexibility, as she’s worked late evenings and nights to ensure events coverage, especially during periods of her team being understaffed. She exemplifies dedication and a hands-on approach to leadership, which has been pivotal in maintaining operational continuity and team morale, while contributing to the broader community impact and organizational effectiveness of the health department.”
Sterling believes “there is always more to learn.”
“We have to be open to looking at things from many different perspectives in order to make a difference,” she says.
Her nomination form goes on to note that she “has enhanced the quality and accessibility of services provided to the community, facilitated more innovative and effective ways to meet community needs and fosters a culture of innovation and resilience.”
Sterling says that “watching people heal” is what motivates her each day on the job.