The Inland Northwest’s advocate for behavioral health
Samantha Clark, MHA, sees the Inland Northwest region’s vast potential to transform local behavioral health care.
As assistant vice president of strategy and business development for MultiCare Behavioral Health and a Spokane resident, she believes the area is uniquely equipped to affect large-scale change.
“Living here is like going to a dinner party,” Clark explains. “Everybody brings something to the table. Everyone knows your name and remembers you and invites you back. It’s that feeling of connectivity that makes this community so ripe for change and so capable.”
Lighting a fire
Clark’s passion for behavioral health began as an undergrad at Western Washington University. Enrolling in her first psychology class encouraged her to examine her own family’s history.
“That was about the time where the truth about the generational trauma in my family started to come to light,” she shares. “It was really significant. There’s a lot of abuse, a lot of substance use, a lot of really serious mental illness.”
Her work with youth in foster care gave her further insight into how intervention could disrupt those adverse cycles.
“I never looked back from behavioral health at that point,” Clark continues. “I really wanted to make a difference, not just for one person at a time, but for whole communities.”
Expanding her neighbors’ access to care
Now Clark has brought her own “dish” to the table in the Inland Northwest.
In October 2023, MultiCare Behavioral Health – Northeast Community Center opened in the Hillyard neighborhood under guidance from Clark and her team and thanks, in part, to MultiCare Inland Northwest Foundation donors. She works in the building and has already seen the positive impact of offering care to people where they live, alongside other community resources.
“There are so many things, truly so many different services that a community needs to be healthy,” she shares. “I believe behavioral health is a really important part of that. So, it’s been a dream to bring behavioral health here … to a community who really needs it.”
By making mental health treatment available close to home and in places people are comfortable receiving services, she believes that more individuals will engage with this type of care.
Donors making a difference
Guests will gather at Gonzaga University for a memorable night of food, live music and impactful stories of care, while giving generously to the critical cause.
Musical artists sit and perform on stage at Heart Strings 2023
Behavioral health will take center stage at MultiCare Inland Northwest Foundation’s Heart Strings event on Friday, April 26, where proceeds will help expand access to local programs and services.
Clark will be in attendance and invites her community to show up in a big way.
“I really encourage everybody to lend their support so that we can grow services and help people heal,” she says.
Tickets can be purchased on the MultiCare Heart Strings website.
