26 AUGUST 2024, HOUSTON, TEXAS: Houston Recovery Center (HRC or the “Company”), a provider of compassionate care, intervention and community care coordination to underserved individuals affected by substance use announces the establishment of the addition of a mental health capability facilitated by Baylor college of Medicine and Dr. Nidal Moukaddam, M.D. Ph.D., Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Baylor College of Medicine, Director of Psychiatry Outpatient Clinics at Ben Taub Hospital, and Medical Director, Stabilization, Treatment and Rehabilitation program for psychosis (STAR) with Harris Health System.
Dr. Nidal first learned of the Houston Recovery Center (HRC) because Ben Taub was referring substance use patients to HRC for care/recovery. Dr. Nidal began working with HRC to better understand how to get people in need to HRC for recovery, and to explore how the relationship between the hospital, patient and HRC could be improved.
Beginning in 2023, Dr. Nidal began working to help manage the Baylor College of Medicine’s applications for patients to HRC. She also began assisting with HRC’s Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) application. Dr. Nidal brings a much needed psychology piece to HRC’s capabilities and programs. She, along with the HRC staff and their practical approach to solving problems, are building the program from scratch. Dr. Nidal, working in collaboration with Dr. Shah, chairman of the HRC board, makes HRC’s treatment spectrum, from ER to rehab, more comprehensive, smoother and ultimately more productive for our city and its residents.
Dr. Nidal currently sees very positive outcomes from Baylor and HRC working together. “It’s rewarding to see medical and HRC teams happy with the relationship. The ongoing growth and welcomed program acceptance are rewarding, and we remain open to whatever is needed,” said Dr. Nidal. “There is a deep appreciation and empathy for what the HRC team does, their heart is in the right place.”
As for next steps, she hopes to just keep going, their work together is very important to the community. Successful treatment doesn’t just happen in a clinical environment, but needs to include real-work experiences and settings. Improvements can always be made. Expanding the work is one way and HRC’s staff are looking forward to being able to do just that. But to do that, it’s necessary to expand beyond their current grant structure and to make sure clients get all the things they need for their continuing recovery.