NEWS
JAMES CUSACK, PRESIDENT OF VERITAS VILLA, RECEIVES 2010
GOVERNOR’S LIFETIME
SERVICE AWARD
State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services
(OASAS) Commissioner Karen M. Carpenter-Palumbo today announced that James
Cusack, president and founder of Veritas Villa in Kerhonkson, NY is the
recipient of the 2010 Governor’s Lifetime Service Award. The award was presented
by the Commissioner at the Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Providers of New York
State’s Annual Conference this week in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Each year, the
Governor honors a member of the addiction field for their servant leadership and
advocacy in the advancement of prevention, treatment and recovery services in
New York.
Governor
Paterson said, “Mr. Cusack’s extraordinary commitment and years of outstanding
service in the field of addiction, his leadership, hard work and dedication to
improve the lives of others have advanced the overall goal of prevention and
helped many New Yorkers realize the personal goal of successful treatment and
recovery.”
Commissioner
Carpenter-Palumbo said, “Jim Cusack is an outstanding leader in the addiction
field who has dedicated his remarkable career to improving the lives of the 2.5
million suffering from addiction. I am proud to present Mr. Cusack with this
well deserved honor, as such valuable work merits special acknowledgment and our
appreciation.”
Mr.
Cusack is president and founder of Veritas Villa, the first free-standing
facility in the state to provide residential treatment for those with alcohol
and chemical addiction. The facility has now been in operation for more than 30
years. Mr. Cusack has been interviewed as a pioneer in the field by Cornell
University's R. Brinkley Smithers Institute for Alcohol-Related Workplace
Studies, and has received several recognitions and awards. He is also world
renowned for his work in the field, including assisting Iceland and Russia in
the development of their treatment programs.
At
the age of 80, Mr. Cusack continues to counsel patients, and remains actively
involved with the Villa and the community.
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