Name and Position at Region Ten: Anna Williams, Fiscal Manager in the Payee Department.
Where are you from? Buckingham County, currently residing in Albemarle County.
What drew you to the mental health field? I have always been interested in health and wellness and mind/body care. Over 20 years ago I was taking classes to become a COTA (Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant) and found that I was more interested in psychology. This led me to apply for an open position at Region Ten. The mental health field was foreign to me, but I was eager to learn more about how things worked from the inside.
What are some of the highlights in your professional career? I am so thankful for the opportunity to grow and learn from various roles at Region Ten. From Front Desk Receptionist to obtain customer service skills, to MHSS to obtain knowledge relating to mental health, and currently, as Fiscal Manager to obtain knowledge regarding managing an office, finances, rules, and regulations. Being able to work on the Region Ten Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee and being a resource to my coworkers has also been a highlight.
What do you enjoy about your work at Region Ten? Three things come to mind: 1) When consumers become their own payees and are able to manage their finances on their own. 2) Knowing that the small part that I play in this role combined with others is helping someone. 3) My wonderful coworkers!
What does Black History Month mean to you? To me, it is so much more than a month. It’s a time to reflect and educate. It is a lifetime of history that needs to be shared. It means celebrating the positive impact and contributions that we have given to the world even in the midst of all the injustices we still face today. Staying positive and true to what we know is right. Knowing that we have made positive impacts, although they sometimes feel small. Last but not least, we should always remember to use this time to impact and impart knowledge and encouragement to our communities and the world as a whole.