About Vantage Health System

Our Mission

is to provide those we serve opportunities for wellness through integrated mental and physical healthcare, support services and affordable housing.

Philosophy of Treatment
Vantage Health System is committed to a treatment philosophy that emphasizes recovery and wellness. In contrast to the traditional medical model—which focuses primarily on the treatment of illness—our recovery-oriented approach centers on the goals, preferences, interests, and strengths of each individual we serve.

As part of this philosophy, we take an individualized approach to treatment. Clinical staff are expected to utilize evidence-based practices that are responsive to each client’s unique needs and circumstances. This includes regularly assessing progress, adapting interventions when necessary, and incorporating client input throughout the course of care.

We maintain a patient-centered focus in all aspects of service delivery. Every interaction should reflect our commitment to treating individuals with dignity, respect, and empathy, while actively supporting their journey toward recovery and improved well-being.

All staff are expected to uphold these principles in their daily work, contributing to a culture of excellence, collaboration, and compassionate care.

A lifestyle is encouraged in which the client:

  1. Assumes an active role
  2. Accepts personal responsibility and motivation
  3. Engages in meaningful, productive activity

The quality of one’s life is viewed from a holistic approach based on a perspective of balance, including the social, behavioral, vocational, educational and spiritual components, as well as the traditional medical and emotional/psychological.

Key principles of recovery for empowering the client are:

  • developing a sense of hope in the future
  • finding a useful place within the community
  • focusing on strengths and the potential for wellness
  • emphasizing the client’s control over self and environment in order to promote a sense of mastery

History of Vantage Health System

1957

July 12, Certificate of Incorporation filed by Emma Stein, PhD, Dumont Public Schools

1958

March 10, 1958, incorporated as the Mental Health Organization of Dumont

1960

Renamed Dumont-Bergenfield Child Guidance Center

1964

Renamed “The Child Guidance Center of Northern Valley, Inc.”

1966

Renamed “The Community Center for Mental Health, Inc.”

1972

Construction and opening of the Main Building in Dumont; began operations as a federally funded community mental health organization

1977

Opening of the Northern Valley Adult Day Center

1984

Assumed operation of Community Mental Health Organization in Englewood – renamed Cliffwood Mental Health

1985

Purchase of the Annex Building in Dumont

1987

Creation of Community Outreach Program for at-risk adolescents in Bergenfield

1988

Official consolidation of Dumont and Englewood – renamed

1989

Purchased Mt. Vernon Residence (Ridgefield Park)

1990

Purchased Bergenfield Residence; Began School Based Youth Service Program (FORUM) at Teaneck High School (discontinued 2005)

1992

Purchased Englewood Site at 93 W.  Palisade Avenue

1993

Opening of program for Developmentally Disabled (LEAP); Renovated Englewood Site

1994

Adult Day Center receives State License to become a Medical Adult Health Center

1995

Creation of “Partnership for Caring” program; Bergenfield (discontinued 2014)

1996

Purchased Hille Place Residence (Ridgefield Park); Score of 100 on our first Joint Commission Survey

1998

Victoria Sidrow replaces Catherine Small as President and CEO Grant by Division of Addiction Services to operate a 50-bed male adolescent residential substance abuse treatment center in Rockleigh – “Touchstone Hall”

1999

Re-accredited with commendation by JCAHO; recertified by the State Division of Mental Health and Dept of Health and Senior Services.

2000

Renamed: VANTAGE HEALTH SYSTEM, INC., Quality Care for Life’s Challenges Creation of ACCESS Center- 201-567-0059 for all Outpatient Services Two HUD grants to purchase and rehabilitate one-15 bedroom home and one- 3 bedroom home for Supportive Housing- $1.3million

2001

HUD grant for Job Coach program to assist homeless mentally ill to obtain jobs & permanent housing

2005

Multicultural Grant to educate and treatment individuals in the Korean Community Advance Practice Nurse Grant for individuals with chronic mental illness/physical health

2006

Bi-lingual Award for Spanish Speaking Clinician Award for Expansion of Psychiatric Services through hiring of Advanced Nurse Practitioner

2007

$3.5M HMFA Funding Approval for Van Sciver Supportive Housing: 16 efficiency units in Closter Transfer of Group Home from Friendship House to VHS- increased from 5 to 8 bed capacity April 19: 50th Anniversary Celebration Honoring Governor Richard Codey

2008

Received Office of Housing Advocacy Grant to support VHS Housing Development Initiative

2009

Received Award to purchase 4-bedroom supportive housing residence in Englewood through federal ARRA stimulus funds and BC Division of Community Development Purchase and Implementation of Electronic Health Record

2010

November: Groundbreaking for Van Sciver Supportive Housing Residence

2012

January 24: Ribbon Cutting for Van Sciver Supportive Housing Residence, Closter, NJ April: $2.1M from HUD for “Opening Doors” project for homeless families with school aged children October 2012: 55th Anniversary Celebration Honoring Founding Member Marian Reitano

2013

Grant award as collaborative partner with CBHCare on DMHAAS Early Intervention Support Service Grant

2015

March 31 Merger with DACKKS Group of Supportive Housing; New Mission Statement; Received enhanced co-occurring for Partial Care; New EHR Qualifacts/Carelogic; MHFA trainings and Stigma Free Initiative.

2016

June 6th GENOA pharmacy opens in Englewood. July 1st provisional certification for Behavioral Health Home (BHH).

2017

Opened The Behavioral Health Home. Vantage celebrates 60 years. Adult Day Health Care celebrates 40 years.

2018

November Awarded 3 year accreditation by CARF!

2019

April David Griffith replaces Victoria Sidrow as President and CEO. May Addition of CHOP- Primary Care services and Clarity Labs.

Careers

Vantage Health System often has openings in its various programs. We employ over 200 employees in such disciplines as:

  • Board-certified and Licensed psychiatrists
  • Certified alcohol and drug counselors
  • Licensed clinical social workers
  • Mental health workers
  • Psychiatric registered nurses
  • Residential counselors

Vantage Health System is an equal opportunity employer. We offer competitive salaries with comprehensive benefits package.

If you are interested in employment, send along your resume via any of the following options below. Thank you for your interest.

 

Get To Know Us

Leadership of Vantage Health System

Officers

Chairperson
Patrick O’Brien

1st. Vice Chair
John R. Brunner

Secretary
Colette Balaam

Treasurer
John Cavan

Immediate Past Chair
John L. Van Horne. III., Esq.

Members

William J. Boylan

Howard Kent

Thomas Mastrangelo

Scott Manno

Scott Piekarsky

Carla Lucchino

Steven Lonegan

Emeritus Trustees

Karen Amy

Rosemarie DePhillips

Christine Fethes-Connolly

Miriam Kassel

Thomas Ludwig

Milton Sisselman

Leadership Team


President & CEO
Teresa McMahon LCSW, MBA, LCADC


VP Chief Financial Officer
Robert Jones, CPA


Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Clinical Services
Kristine Pendy, LCSW


Medical Director

Stephanie Barnes, MD


VP of Planning and Administration
Margaret Preis, MHA

Director of Residential and Community Based Services 
Nicole Volmer, LSW

Director of Geriatric Services
Meghan Gumbman, LCSW, CDP

Director of Vantage Recovery Center
Hannah Levine, LCSW

Director of M.I.S.
Naomi Fox

Take the First Step. We'll Be here when you need us.

*Please note! The following form and phone number are not for emergencies! If you are in immediate crisis, please go to the nearest emergency room, call 911, for the psychiatric emergency line: 201-262-HELP(4357).

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