We’re celebrating recovery!
Recovery Awareness Day at The Blanchard Institute is an annual cornerstone event highlighting the importance of understanding, treating, and celebrating recovery from addiction. This special day is dedicated to shedding light on the challenges and successes associated with recovery, and to enhancing community knowledge and support for those affected by substance use disorders.
This year’s event on July 19 is “packed with activities, workshops, and presentations designed to engage, educate, and inspire,” says founder and CEO Ward Blanchard, MA, MBA, CCS, LCAS. This year’s speakers will do just that.
All-Pro Keynote Speaker
One keynote speaker will be sportscaster and former professional football player Steve Smith Sr. He is a former NFL wide receiver who spent 13 seasons with the Carolina Panthers before joining the Baltimore Ravens in 2014.
Smith is also an engaged Christian. Before every away game, his family donated shoes to the homeless. His goal was to hand out half a million pairs of shoes to the needy. He said it was “an opportunity for me to give back, to serve.”
In 2013, Steve and his family founded the Steve Smith Family Foundation as another opportunity to be of service. The Foundation focuses on families’ and underserved communities’ mental health and wellness.
Humor in Treatment
Recovery comedian Mark Lundholm has performed in all 50 states and 10 foreign countries. From world-renowned musicians, heads of state, and Fortune 500 companies to rehabilitation centers and prison inmates, Mark has entertained in all kinds of settings.
Lundholm has appeared on Comedy Central, Showtime, A&E, CBS, and NBC. Mark wrote and performed his one-man show off-Broadway in New York City, receiving critical acclaim. In his spare time, he created the DVD series “Humor in Treatment” and the Recovery Board Game.
Addiction Expert
John Dyben, DHSC, MCAP, CMHP is chief of research and innovation at the Hanley Foundation. Dr. Dyben provides support to treatment leadership through research and consultation. John continually builds upon his academic expertise through research and nationwide speaking engagements on health science, spirituality, clinical ethics, and related topics.
For 40 years, Hanley’s comprehensive drug and alcohol rehab programming has pioneered age- and gender-specific rehabilitation treatment with a history of lasting success. They also provide a comprehensive mental health program for those who are looking to heal from depression, trauma, anxiety, personality disorders, and more.
Treating the Whole Patient
Brandy Price Klingman, LCSW, is the CEO of St. Christopher’s Addiction Wellness Center and Legacy Behavioral Health in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Brandy Klingman is a results oriented, accomplished executive with a broad background in behavioral healthcare. She has proven track record in business and healthcare to become a large private employer of behavioral healthcare in Louisiana. Brandy has founded and opened multiple facilities both in and out patient and clinically treats thousands of patients across the state.
Doctor, Author, and Speaker
Clark Gaither, MD, FAAFP is the medical director of the North Carolina Professionals Health Program. Dr. Gaither has extensive personal and clinical experience within NCPHP and in the areas of addiction and recovery. Gaither is a board-certified family physician in private practice in Goldsboro, NC, and has been in full-time practice of medicine for the past 24 years. He is the author of Reignite: Transform from Burned Out to On Fire and Find New Meaning in Your Career and Life.
Feel the vibe and join us on July 19 for an event like no other at The Ballantyne Charlotte, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28277. Recovery Awareness Day 2024 will offer excellent networking opportunities in the behavioral health industry, and feature carnival games, raffles, and magicians.
For more information or sponsorship opportunities, go to recoveryawarenessday.org
The Blanchard Institute cultivates a safe, comfortable environment for clients and their families across North Carolina. Our recovery management and alumni programs support a life-long recovery. Your journey to recovery doesn’t end with day or outpatient treatment, once you’re with Blanchard, we’re always there for you.
Our admissions process is discrete, confidential, and non-invasive. Our mission is to provide support for every person who reaches out to us. It all begins with a phone call. Call us at (704) 288-1097—our experienced admissions specialists will guide you through the process and treat you with the dignity and compassion you deserve.