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Dr. David Ammend, MD

Dr. David Ammend, MD

Medical Director / Pediatrician

Favorite PassageWay Elements

Nature | Recreation | Relationships

“PassageWay to me is about creating a conceptual framework and language to make it easier for NWP staff to guide residents and their families in pursuing lifestyle changes that can lead to improved mental and physical health.  By using a common language, it is simpler to communicate to residents, families, and other involved persons why these lifestyle approaches are important, and to facilitate the continuation of these activities when the resident moves on to a new setting.”

     

PROFILE

“I find that injecting some humor into my day is a great tension reliever. It can make a good day better, and a tough day not so bad. I try to share this with the kids when I see them. For some, it is clearly a bit of a surprise that the DOCTOR is actually someone who will joke with them. Injecting humor into the first visit often makes for a much more relaxed relationship for the duration of their stay with us. And to have the kids throw out a humorous line to me – maybe while just walking past my office – always makes both of us smile.”

DETAILS

  • Specialty: Pediatrician
  • Education: Pediatric Residency; MD; BA, Political Science
  • With Northwest Passage since 1992

Nadine Blossom

Nadine Blossom

Accounting / Program Assistant

Favorite PassageWay Elements

Nature | Recreation | Relaxation

“I enjoy the peace and quiet that nature provides, giving you a moment to reset.”

    

 

DETAILS

  • Education: University of Wisconsin – La Crosse
  • With Northwest Passage since 2017
 

Eja Coveau

Eja Coveau

Human Resources Specialist

Favorite PassageWay Elements

Nature | Recreation | Relationships

“Spending time outside, doing the things I love with the people I love helps me live in the moment and remain grounded.”

     

QUOTE

“Hope is having a fundamental belief in goodness.”

DETAILS

  • Education: University of Minnesota – BA Child Psychology, 2010
  • With Northwest Passage since 2021
 

Justin Coveau

Justin Coveau

Chief Financial Officer

Favorite PassageWay Elements

Nature | Recreation | Relaxation | Nutrition | Exercise | Relationships | Service | Spirit

Coming Soon…

            

QUOTE

Coming Soon…

DETAILS

  • Education:
  • With Northwest Passage since 2013
 

Mark Elliott

Mark Elliott

Executive Director

Favorite PassageWay Elements

Nature | Recreation | Relationships

“Connecting with people is what helps keep us balanced and alive.”

   

PROFILE

Mark has worked in many roles at Northwest Passage – everything from Direct Care staff to Program Director in the assessment program and now Executive Director. Mark has always believed that you are only as good as the people around you, and the joy of working with a quality staff and making an impact in kids’ lives have kept him “hooked” into the Northwest Passage family.

DETAILS

  • Specialty: Administration
  • Education: BS, Psychology
  • With Northwest Passage since 1987
 

Angela Fredrickson, LCSW

Angela Fredrickson, LCSW

Clinical Director

Favorite PassageWay Elements

Service | Nature | Recreation

“I love spending time with my horses and I also love volunteering with the 4-H organization. I continue to teach 4-H horse project members each year. I learned the importance of service as a 4-H member and have served my community through 4-H since I was 13 years old. I also volunteer my time mentoring therapeutic riding instructors and serving on the board of a therapeutic riding program in Wausau, WI called Stable Hands. I have volunteered with various therapeutic riding organizations since the age of 18 and have been with Stable Hands since 2002.”

  

PROFILE

“I am thankful for my animal companions every day of my life. When I was 16 years old I watched my first therapeutic horseback riding session and was instantly smitten with it. Since that time I have worked to gather the knowledge and experience to someday work with kids and animals. Working at Northwest Passage provided me with the opportunity to put the last pieces of the puzzle together to meet this longstanding goal. Working with the support of Northwest Passage over the years, I have become a certified mental health specialist with the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association and I currently literally bring my passion to work with me one day a week in a horse trailer!”

DETAILS

  • Specialty: Certified EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) Clinician
  • Education: MS, Social Work; BS, Social Work
  • With Northwest Passage since 2005

Julie Hall

Julie Hall

Development & Communications Director

Favorite PassageWay Elements

Relationships | Service |Recreation

“I believe maintaining balance in life requires setting aside time to create relationships, cultivate interests, and invest in service to others. When you care for the “parts” the “whole” will take care of itself.”

            

QUOTE

“Tomorrow can be different than today. Each day presents a new opportunity for growth and change. When you embrace those opportunities there is always hope!”

DETAILS

  • Specialty: Graphic Design, Marketing
  • Education:  BFA, Graphic Design (UW-Oshkosh); MS, Management & Organizational Behavior (Silver Lake College)
  • With Northwest Passage since 2018
 

Mandy Jeske, MSW

Mandy Jeske, MSW

Mental Health Therapist

Favorite PassageWay Elements

Recreation| Nature | Relationships

“I like to participate in the activities I love with the people I am closest to. My friends and family like to do lots of outdoor activities together including; hiking, camping, fishing, x-country skiing, and many different sports. Spending lots of time outside allows us to remain emotionally balanced. We are our best versions of ourselves when we are participating in outdoor activities. The PassageWay to me means incorporating a variety of elements into your life in order to lead a more balanced and healthy life.”

   

PROFILE

Throughout her time within the Northwest system, Mandy has gained valuable knowledge and insight about boys and girls with mental health issues, county social work and systems, community services and supports, and the role of residential treatment within the mental health system.  This invaluable knowledge of so many of our programs is a great asset for Northwest Passage in her position as Admissions Director.

DETAILS

  • Specialty: Admissions
  • Education: BS, Liberal Arts
  • With Northwest Passage since 2002
 

Bill Jury

Bill Jury

Operations Director

Favorite PassageWay Elements

Recreation | Nature | Relationships

    

PROFILE

When Bill began working with Northwest Passage in 1984, he worked directly with residents as a primary counselor, building social skills, running groups, and supervising the recreation program. In 1988, Bill was promoted to Director for a new program—Northwest Passage Lakeshore. This 90-day adventure-based program was the first of its kind in Wisconsin and has transformed Passage programming for the better. In 2009, Bill also took on the Director role at Northwest Passage Riverside. Bill currently holds the role of Operations Director, sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience company-wide.

DETAILS

  • Specialty: Program Development
  • Education: BS, Sociology
  • With Northwest Passage since 1984
 

Ian Karl

Ian Karl

Experiential Programming Coordinator

Favorite PassageWay Elements

Exercise | Relationships| Nature

“I make sure to reflect on the PassageWay so I stay balanced and well.”

 

PROFILE

Ian comes from a background of wilderness expeditions, environmental education, and adventure guiding. His former work in the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota, Lake Superior, and western Norway provide him with a unique perspective for his role here. “I believe that the demands put on us by modern society and life need to be balanced by time spent in nature. This is particularly true for children.  I have a deep, personal connection to the lakes, rivers, and woods of the Upper Midwest. There are few things I enjoy more than sharing this with the kids of Northwest Passage.”

 

DETAILS

  • Specialty: Wilderness First Aid, American Canoe Association, Open Water Instructor, CXC, Nordic Ski Coach, St. Croix Master Watershed Steward, Wisconsin Master Naturalist Instructor
  • Education: B.S., Biology
  • With Northwest Passage since 2010
 

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