New Director of Inpatient Admissions
Jon T. (“JT”) Higgerson, MA, has been appointed Director of Inpatient Admissions at Princeton House and the Behavioral Health Emergency Department at Princeton Medical Center, which is dedicated to providing acute care for behavioral health patients in a safe environment. Higgerson joined the Princeton House Admissions Department in 2017 as a crisis clinician and became Manager of Inpatient Admissions in 2019.
“I always tell admissions clinicians that they are problem solvers for those who cannot visualize their next steps,” he says. “We can represent hope and a chance for change for our patients. The most important thing we can do is to connect with people and reassure them that this is the place where change can begin.”
Prior to his work with Inpatient Admissions, Higgerson spent 13 years with Princeton House as a case manager with NuView Academy in Middlesex County. With an extensive background in child and family counseling and case management, he understands the significance of how helping struggling parents can have a profound impact on their children. He has also worked as an instructor training professional rescue agencies, military organizations, commercial guides, and fire/EMS teams in swiftwater and flood rescue techniques.
To reach the Admissions Department at Princeton House, please call 888.437.1610 (option 1 for inpatient admissions).
For additional questions about inpatient admissions, Higgerson can be reached directly at 609-497-3329 or Jon.Higgerson@PennMedicine.UPenn.edu.
Chaplain Educator Joins Princeton House Team
Imam Jawad Bayat, MA, ACPE Certified Educator, has joined Princeton House as Manager of Pastoral Care and Clinical Pastoral Education. A son of refugees and a first-generation Afghan-American who was raised in New Jersey, he recently returned to the region after serving in chaplain and educator roles at the Cleveland Clinic, where he completed his multi-year ACPE educator certification. His prior roles include serving as University Chaplain at Fairfield University and as Psychiatric Chaplain at Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in Morris Plains, New Jersey.
Committed to the spiritual care of all people, Imam Bayat is one of the first Muslims and the first Afghan-American to be a certified educator with the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE). His role at Princeton House combines his passion for education with his interest in helping marginalized populations. He serves as primary chaplain for inpatients, provides outpatient coverage, supports staff members, and supervises chaplain interns throughout Princeton House.
“I focus on transformative learning for interns to help them become more aware of their own stories and how their journeys intersect with others, which can assist them in delivering spiritual care,” explains Imam Bayat. “Our patients are on a journey as well, and I’m happy to serve as one of many guides to help them find meaning along the way.”
Article as seen in the Spring 2021 issue of Princeton House Behavioral Health Today.
