901 Ernston Road, South Amboy 7/29/21
*Photos by Katherine Massopust
By: Carolyn Maxwell and Katherine Massopust
Chief Executive Officer
David Dorschu
Medical Director
Dr. Andrew Youssouf
SOUTH AMBOY – Chief Executive Officer David Dorschu started his tenure at RCA in 2016 as CEO of Lighthouse located in Mays Landing, New Jersey which has 133 beds. He has experience in substance abuse treatment which saw him serve in several positions as director and management. He said that the facility in Sayreville opened up in December 2019. This was the first open house that they had after the Covid pandemic. Employees are a Gold Standard Leadership Team. “They are phenomenal people and dedicated. I am the longest tenured employee.” He stated. “Five years ago, this was an outpatient facility. We were addressing the opioid abuse. This facility has 138 beds. I am fortunate to have met Brian O’Neil who has been doing intervention for 40 years. O’Neil’s mission was to help 1 million people to fully recover from addiction. I see faces of children who suffer because of parents on drugs or the parent’s faces who see their children O.D.”
He then introduced Dr. Andrew Youssouf, the Medical Director and Sharon Cartwright, the Clinical Director and a former Juvenile Correction Officer. She spoke about a female trauma program, young adult male program, older adult program, and evolution program. “It is okay to ask for help.” She explained that the facility offers self-help groups, and that safe space. “We don’t see numbers. We see people.”
The next person to speak was Caitlyn Higgins. She spoke about the Outpatient Program and the APP called “Shoutout” where people can interact with others from programs that they are involved in and other programs as well. “You are a part of a recovery community. It connects you with RCA’s licensed therapists. You could also be in contact with your peers and alumni association.”
Clinical Director
Sharon Cartwright
Outpatient Program
Caitlyn Higgins
Brothers Dylan (L) and Justin (R) Gasser
The next people to speak were brothers Justin and Dylan Gasser who were both former patients. Justin is a case manager. His brother Dylan is Director of Admissions. They told the story of how they became involved in RCA after going through treatment together and it was Justin who became an employee first. Dylan had been collecting the disability and he said he wasn’t really looking for employment and his family are the ones who encouraged him to get a job. Dylan started out at the Lighthouse Facility and started doing small maintenance jobs and worked his way up to become Director of Admissions. They both were involved in the alumni association.
Chief Executive Officer David Dorschu came back up to speak. “We have one thing to say to our first responders and service personnel. Thank you for serving and for your sacrifice to the community and your country.”
First Responders were present for the open house. There is a special program at RCA specifically directed to First Responders and their needs.
The Amboy Guardian suggests you look at their website recoverycentersofamerica.com which will give you a much better insight to all the programs they offer to families and individuals or call 855-769-0596.
