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:
- Assumes an active role
- Accepts personal responsibility and motivation
- 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).