David Maher is one of Wood River Health’s Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) patients whose recovery story was featured at our Harvest for Health Gala in 2022. On Friday, February 9, 2024, David celebrated two years of being sober. One of the first things he did that day was visit our Hope Valley office to say thank you. David presented our staff, Penny Palazzo, RN and Rachel Holland, FNP with his two-year sobriety coin as a token of his appreciation for helping him on his journey to recovery. David Maher said, “Since the day I called Wood River Health two years ago they have been there for me. Their team gave me the tools I needed to stop drinking and change my life. At one point I was on 30 medications. Now I am on nothing. I am so grateful to them for helping me reach this milestone.”
David is newly married with an 8-month-old son. His girls ages 12, 10, and 8 recently called him their hero because “he never gives up.” David just gave his two-week notice to his current employer, a liquor distributor, and will be starting a new position at Electric Boat this month.
Penny Palazzo said, “Everyone here at Wood River Health is so proud of David. He was one of our first Medication Assisted Treatment patients when he reached out to us in February of 2022. He has come a long way and we are so happy for his success. He is a true inspiration for others.”
To hear more about David’s recovery story view our video https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/745883304 or visit our website’s Behavioral Health page https://woodriverhealth.org/services/behavioral-health
If you or someone you know is dealing with substance use, our Behavioral Health program can help. Contact Nickolas Fitzgerald, CCHW, TTS, Behavioral Health Advocate, at nfitzgerald@woodriverhealth.org or call 401.539.2461 Ext 260.
