The Lester Z. Lieberman Award for Humanism in Healthcare honors medical practitioners who treat their patients with dignity, empathy and compassion — looking at each person, rather than each patient.

On Monday, July 20, Dr. Elio Arrechea, senior psychologist at Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside will be honored for doing just when he receives the 2015 award at ceremonies at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston.

The Somerville resident, who was nominated by his peers and supervisors at Children’s Specialized Hospital, provides clinical supervision for staff in the psychology department, conducts evaluations for children and have done several trainings for staff members.

“We send out nomination forms to approximately 35 institutions in the area every year and we ask them to nominate someone who is particularly notable for their empathy, compassion and sensitivity,” said Marsha I. Atkind, executive director and chief executive officer at The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey, the award’s sponsor. “Dr. Arrechea was cited for his tremendous skill and sensitivity in de-escalating emotionally charged situations. Families feel supported by his ability to calmly and effectively problem-solve. Usually, the patients will act out and turn inward and he helps them get through whatever crisis they are going through.”

Atkind added that awards are distributed by the foundation to professionals such as Dr. Arrechea, as well as nurses, RNs, nursing students, exercise physiologists, emergency medical technicians, and even medical receptionists who warmly greet and care for patients during the intake process.

“I found out that I was going to receive the award when I was doing a training for our staff,” Arrechea said. “Amy Mansue, our CEO, was making some opening comments and she began speaking about the award and the next thing I knew she had mentioned my name and everyone stood up and applauded. I was in complete shock.”

After going online and learning more about the award and the HFNJ, Arrechea was intrigued to learn about all of the work that the foundation does.

“They work to support improving healthcare for different populations in New Jersey and it seems like they do so many wonderful things,” he said.

Healer and helper

Born in Havana, Cuba, Arrechea’s family came to the United States in the late 1960s. He explored different fields of study including biology and psychology while in college, although his family that mostly consisted of lawyers encouraged him to follow their path.

“Psychology just had something about it. I thought it was a dream job at the time, took a few courses and decided to pursue a doctoral degree,” he said.

In 1986, he received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rutgers University, Newark. At Long Island University in Brooklyn, he earned a master’s degree in clinical psychology in 1990 and his doctoral degree in the same discipline in 1996.

He was employed as a staff clinical psychologist at North Princeton Developmental Center, where he developed and implemented a stress management and counseling program for institute employees. He also supervised psychology technicians in implementing behavior modification programs.

At Trinitas Medical Center’s Therapeutic School, Arrechea served as clinical psychologist from 1997 to 2002. There, he conducted individual and group psychotherapy with adolescents; developed and implemented individual treatment plans; and. among other accomplishments, conducted intern seminars; and designed and implemented special-interest seminars and workshops for companies, schools and parent groups in English and Spanish.

Arrechea’s work at Children’s Specialized Hospital, largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital in New Jersey, commenced in October 2002, when he began serving as a clinical psychologist. Four years later, he was named a senior psychologist, a position he has held since 2006.

Since January 2007, Arrechea has maintained a private practice in Hillsborough, where he conducts individual, couples and family therapy. From 1999 to 2006, he provided the same therapy services as part of a private group practice for Psychological Services of Somerset County.

“Originally, I worked with adults and decided to try working with adolescents at the Therapeutic School shortly after and I really loved working with both young people and adults,” said Arrechea, who is a member of the New Jersey Psychological Association and president-elect of the Somerset Hunterdon Psychological Association.

“I feel that one field informs the other,” he added when discussing how he maintains his position at CSH and his private practice. “This position has been immensely rewarding. I’m very happy that I chose this field. I can’t think of a better job for me. The idea that I can do something that would be of some help to a family or individual can be greatly satisfying. I’m also lucky to hear back from people once in a while through an email or when I run into somebody and they tell me how they have been doing after they’ve finished their work here.

“I feel as psychologists we are serving as consultants and guides for helping people help themselves. People don’t know it but they often have part of the solution within themselves and we sometimes help uncover that through evaluations, psychotherapy and providing parents with support,” added Arrechea, who has published an article on childhood anxiety in Curious Parent magazine and received Top Doc recognition in New Jersey Family magazine.

“Elio truly exemplifies the values of our organization in all that he does — from parent interaction to patient interaction to staff interaction,” said Patricia Foley, vice president-outpatient services at Children's Specialized Hospital.

“Knowing what the award means, we were looking for someone who really has the compassion and empathy in the work they do every day,” she added when asked about the nominations that earned Arrechea the foundation award. “He deals with some very difficult and challenging things, with behavioral and psychological issues and he does it in a way that is truly warm and professional.”

Arrechea said, “It’s nice to receive this recognition, but I am very lucky to work in a place where everyone does wonderful work. Our staff and colleagues pour their hearts into helping the patients and families out, and I am inspired every day by them.”

Children’s Specialized Hospital aids children impacted by life-changing injury, illness or diagnosis such as autism, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, chronic illness, developmental delays and more. The hospital maintains 13 locations, with the newest in Warren.

To learn more about Children's Specialized Hospital, visit www.childrens-specialized.org.

At a glance

Established in 1996 and based in Millburn, the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey strives to enhance and provide a new perspective on healthcare and health-related problems and, where appropriate, seeks to provide leadership in identifying problems and in seeing that such problems are studied. The foundation seeks collaborations with organizations and institutions in the Jewish and general communities to study problems, develop solutions, and provide funding to make those solutions a reality.

To learn more about the HFNJ, visit www.hfnj.org or call 973-921-1210.