When it comes to team building events, our fabulous Residential Services crew really like to go all in to make them as fun and engaging as possible for RSTs (Residential Services Technicians) at Special Tree’s community residences.  At their most recent and highly anticipated event, four residential teams gathered at Rosie O’Grady’s in Ferndale to compete in the final Residential Town Hall Trivia Championship which was live streamed on Special Tree’s intranet.

Congratulations to the eight Special Tree team members who recently passed the exam to become Certified Brain Injury Specialists (CBIS).  They join 120 Special Tree team members who have earned the voluntary certification since 2004.  It requires class time, extensive preparation, and passing a national exam administered by the American Academy for the Certification of Brain Injury Specialists (AACBIS).  Initiated by the BIAA the AACBIS program was established in 1996 to improve the quality of care given to individuals with brain injuries through the continuing education of those who work in the field.  Special Tree team members are strongly committed to learning about best practices and to applying this knowledge to client care and rehabilitation.   The CBIS certification is voluntary and is available to all levels of professionals.

Things are looking brighter around Special Tree with the installation of hundreds of new LED light fittings. Our fabulous Facilities Maintenance team have converted hundreds of conventional bulbs to LEDs at the NeuroCare Campus, Industrial Operations Center, Troy NeuroSkills Center, and The Leadership Center and it’s paying off in big ways.

Since the conversion project began in 2017, LEDs have not only produced better light quality, these highly energy-efficient lights have helped Special Tree cut their carbon footprint while also saving money.

Special Tree offers a $1000 annual high school scholarship to college-bound students who attend public schools where Special Tree has a facility located within that district.

The scholarships assist winners with tuition as they pursue a career in rehabilitation or a related healthcare field. This is one criteria upon which the scholarships are awarded, along with academic achievement, community service, extra-curricular activities, responses to essay questions, and letters of recommendation.

This year, Special Tree awarded 13 scholarships.  Congratulations to the following graduates:

Special Tree’s Jack Richert, Vice President and Director, Referrals & Admissions, was honored at the annual Brain Injury Association of Michigan’s Legacy Society Tribute Dinner on April 21, 2018 at the Suburban Collection Showplace’s Diamond Center in Novi.

Jack received the Community Service and Leadership Award and was  inducted into the Brain Injury of Michigan’s Legacy Society.  Legacy Society members are recognized for their dedication, leadership, and personal commitment to enhancing the quality of life of persons with brain injury and their families.  Jack is being recognized along with Dr. Michael Andary of Michigan State University.

What are the most common mistakes you see on job applications?
It’s really important to make sure your job application is complete and information about previous or current employers is up-to-date.  If you’re using job search sites like Indeed or Zip Recruiter make sure your resume also has the correct contact information.  When applications are incomplete, it delays the process.   Having all the right information helps us access your skills set so we can match you up with the right career opportunity at Special Tree. 

Special Tree has been named one of the top places to work in Michigan for the 8^th year in a row! We first achieved Top Workplace status as part of the "Mid-Size" category in 2010, and are honored to have earned recognition each year, continuing to achieve Top Workplace status even as we moved into the "Large Company" category in 2014 where we have remained since. 

Special Tree’s Innovation Team is all about turning our employee’s great ideas into reality.  Whether an idea involves new and productive ways of doing things or meeting the needs of clients, the Innovation Team encourages employees to submit ideas both big and small and provides structured support to bring them to fruition.

Watch this video to see our Innovation Team in action as they take innovative ideas from zero to hero!

Special Tree is proud to be named a Top Workplace by the Detroit Free Press for the seventh straight year.  Special Tree was ranked #24 for Top Employers in the Large-Sized category. The Top Workplaces are based on employee feedback via a survey conducted by Workplace Dynamics, LLP, a leading research firm on organizational health and employee engagement.   The survey seeks to find if employees feel inspired in their workplace, and if they are given the opportunity and support needed to do great things. 

Special Tree takes great pride in the recognitions we’ve earned for our commitment to quality, but we’re especially proud of our staff members who strive for quality excellence in everything they do each and every day.  Special Tree recognizes staff for their outstanding dedication to quality with the coveted “Lynn Slevin” Quality Award, named after Lynn Slevin, Special Tree’s Quality Officer who retired in 2015.

CEO Joe Richert presented this year’s award to Special Tree Registered Dietitians Jill Bruce and Brahmlin Sethi at the annual Ol’ Timer Recognition Luncheon on May 13, 2016.   Jill and Brahmlin were nominated for the award by fellow staff for their commitment to improve client satisfaction and health as well as the general health of staff through several company-wide programs including: