TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON, N.J.—On April 23, Vantage Health System honored its president and CEO, Vickie Sidrow, with a lavish dinner at Seasons in Washington Township.
Over 160 people came to pay tribute to Sidrow for her 33 years of service and outstanding vision in guiding the growth and development of Vantage Health System, Bergen County’s leading mental health provider.
Attendees included Vantage Health Systems staff and Board Members and special guests state Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle, state Sen. Gerald Cardinale and former Closter Mayor Sophie Heymann.
Sidrow has been president and CEO of Vantage Health System since 1998. Prior to becoming CEO, Sidrow served as Vantage Health System’s director of community relations, director of operations and associate director. Through her leadership, Sidrow has exponentially raised Vantage Health System’s profile and reputation, in part through an extensive rebranding program.
As president and CEO of Vantage Health System for the past 21 years, Sidrow has shaped and integrated mental and physical healthcare, support services, and affordable housing for those in Bergen County affected by mental illness, addiction, developmental disabilities and eldercare challenges.
David Griffith, who is now assuming the role of Vantage president and CEO, said that Sidrow’s tireless passion and advocacy for the vulnerable individuals served by Vantage is well known by legislators at the state, county and local levels, and by state and local community organizations.
Through her tireless dedication to Bergen County residents affected by mental health and other conditions, Sidrow has impacted the lives of tens of thousands of individuals and their families.
Vantage’s Board of Trustees Chair, John Van Horne, also praised Sidrow for her many achievements and her ability to remain calm and focused throughout the organization’s growth and many challenges.
“Vantage started as a mom and pop operation and over the years, many people contributed to Vantage, but no one as much as Vicki. She took us to a place of financial stability and made us a vibrant viable organization. With Vicki, everyone knew who we were!”
Sidrow’s accomplishments include acquiring 14 residences for the special needs population of Bergen County; creating a new program, Opening Doors, for homeless families; merging The DACKKs Group for Supportive Housing into Vantage Health System; opening an Integrated Care Services program; bringing in an on-site pharmacy to better serve clients; and enhancing Vantage’s technology and operational efficiencies.
A New Jersey State Legislative resolution was presented to Sidrow by Assemblywoman Huttle.
She said, “What I find to be the most laudable of all of Vicki’s many, many achievements, is her commitment to care and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive, no matter what the obstacles are. I have seen firsthand the impact that Vantage has made under Vicki’s leadership. Vantage and Vicki have always been synonymous, always spoken in one breath.”
Huttle also announced that Van Sciver Street in Closter is being re-named Vicki Sidrow Way.
In a dramatic moment, Griffith and Van Horne presented Sidrow with a unique award, a large framed architectural drawing of Vantage Health System’s Van Sciver Supportive Housing Residence in Closter.
In her acceptance speech, Sidrow spoke about her beginning 33 years ago.
“My brother had schizophrenia, which is the reason I got involved in mental health,” said Sidrow, graciously thanking her staff for all that they have accomplished. “I had the initiative but many other people helped carry it out. I didn’t do it alone!”
The first community mental health center in Bergen County, Vantage Health System is a private, not-for-profit charitable organization with outpatient sites located in Englewood and Dumont, and 17 residential properties throughout Bergen County, serving over 3,000 individuals a year.
In operation since 1957, Vantage provides a full range of clinical and social services to children, adolescents, adults and the elderly with mental health, addiction, developmental and eldercare challenges. What is particularly admirable is that no one is turned away due to lack of income.
Vantage employs 120 staff members, including psychiatrists, advance practice nurses, RN’s, licensed clinical social workers as well as mental health counselors, and activity, support and management staff.
Vantage is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees, several of whom were at this year’s dinner included Chairman, Jack Van Horne. The large turnout demonstrated the organization’s huge support network.