Field Work Study at Christian Health Care Center Leads to Satsified Employees

Seth Tropinsky has worked at Christian Health Care Center (CHCC) in Wyckoff as a Ramapo Ridge Psychiatric Hospital (RRPH) Admissions Caseworker for 4 ½ years. His brother was diagnosed with severe autism when he was 3 years old, and therefore, Mr. Tropinsky was passionate about working in the mental-health field. He was introduced to CHCC when he came to complete his college field work.

“I really didn’t know anything about CHCC prior to volunteering here, but after graduating from college, I saw a listing for a position at RRPH,” said Mr. Tropinsky. “I immediately thought that it would be an absolutely perfect fit. I knew this was a warm and caring place. I already knew the people who worked here truly cared about the patients and residents, so this made the decision to work here any easy one!”

When Dot Faasse, CHCC Coordinator of Volunteers, was a student at Ramapo College, she took a course with Mary Starke, Ph D. Years later, Dr. Starke contacted Mrs. Faasse to see if she could send several students to do 60 hours of field work for an abnormal psychology class she was teaching. That was nearly 20 years ago. Ever since, she has sent one or two students, and that is how Mr. Tropinsky came to CHCC for his own field work.

“We were always eager to welcome her students since she consistently sent us very capable, responsible top-notch students as a result of her great respect for CHCC,” said Mrs. Faasse. “Over the years, it has been a win-win situation because our staff really enjoyed the students’ time here, and the students learned about their field of study through hands-on experience. Several students who did their field work here ultimately became CHCC employees.”

Mr. Tropinsky said that the grounds and the beauty of the campus immediately impressed him, and he has enjoyed the opportunity to work here.

“I really like interacting with the various doctors, nurses, social workers, and crisis counselors,” said Mr. Tropinsky. “I am very pleased to be part of the CHCC family.”

For more information about CHCC’s mental-health services, call Karen Hockstein at (201) 848-4463 or email khockstein@chccnj.org. For more information about volunteer opportunities at CHCC, call Dot Faasse at (201) 848-5797 or email dfaasse@chccnj.org.

CHCC provides a broad continuum of high-quality, compassionate care, offering superior senior-life, short-term rehab, and mental-health services. As a non-profit organization, we deliver Person- and Family-centered care to our community based upon the Christian principles on which we were founded more than a century ago.

For more information, visit ChristianHealthCare.org.

CUTLINE: Seth Tropinksy, Ramapo Ridge Psychiatric Hospital Admissions Caseworker, in his office at Christian Health Care Center.