Dix employee named Health Care Tech of the Year

Compassionate without being condescending is not a bad handle under any circumstance, but for a man whose occupation is caring for young people just entering into the admission ward of a psychiatric hospital compassion can be best described as a godsend.

Compassion and dedication are two of the most significant characteristics that mark Tracy Fields who was honored by his colleagues and his field by being named Health Care Technician of the Year by the Mental Health Association of North Carolina.

Fields, who works in Adolescent Admissions at Dorothea Dix Hospital, is described by fellow staff members as a having a connection to his young charges that “allows the kids to respond positively. He seems to understand the anger and frustration. Mr. Fields actively listens and tries to empathize. This type of respect and control neutralizes anger without it escalating.”

Fields received his award at the Mental Health Association of North Carolina’s annual conference held in Wrightsville Beach on Sept. 28-29. His award was presented by Tipper Gore, who served as former President Bill Clinton’s advisor on Mental Health Policy.

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Last Modified: October 31, 2005