Whitney Award to Austin’s Bill Wigmore Advances Memory of Dr. Vernon Johnson

By Ingrid Faust
Johnson Institute, Director, Policy & Communication

For centuries, problems arising from misuse of mood-altering chemicals have been associated with moral failure. It has been difficult to shake this core belief. Current public opinion surveys report that the public still chooses moral weakness as the source of problems with alcohol and other drugs, even while affirming by large margins the need to provide treatment.

The modern era has produced science that defines addiction as a brain disease. While many persons can safely use alcoholic beverages, we are told, significant segments of the population develop dependence and disease.

As the science is recognized, we are tempted to look for an easy scientific solution: a pill, an exercise regimen or a surgical procedure. If the disease is physical, why not seek a physical solution? Too often, society forgets that wellness includes physical, emotional and spiritual aspects.

Evidence is overwhelming that attention to spiritual growth at the personal level is a major stepping stone to addiction recovery, as well as a major ingredient of prevention. The challenge is two-fold: first, recognize illness; second, foster faith-centered practices proven to build resilience, hope and deliverance for people and families afflicted and affected by alcohol and other drug problems.

Congregations offer an ideal climate for healing. Recognizing this climate in the 80s, Trish Merrill, a public health/psychiatric nurse and wife of a United Methodist minister took a job at an alcoholism and addiction treatment center in Austin, Texas. This facility, the Faulkner Center, was operated by Parkside Medical Services of Chicago, a trailblazer in the efforts to involve the faith community in addiction issues. At the Faulkner Center, Trish Merrill found a catalyst for the Twelve Step philosophy of recovery and her passion for finding a way to integrate congregations into the healing process. She was convinced of the great potential for synergy across the spectrum of concerns, from prevention through recovery. Today, she serves as Director of the Rush Center of the Johnson Institute, spearheading the Faith Partners congregational team approach that she pioneered to address issues of alcoholism and addiction.

Today, the Faith Partners congregational team ministry is active, thriving and now serving in a growing number of faith traditions. An organization, operating outside established religious boundaries, the Rush Center is able to engage congregations regardless of their specific faith traditions. The Rush Center invites, equips and empowers the willing, guiding the faith community in focusing its passions, gifts and resources upon the devastating, but treatable, epidemic of addictions within the United States.

In 2004 when Faith Partners, Rush Recovery Institute and the Johnson Institute merged to form the Rush Center of Johnson Institute, Trish Merrill recalled hosting the Reverend Vernon Johnson (Episcopal priest) when he came to Texas in the mid 70’s to introduce the idea of early intervention. That idea was to become the work of the Johnson Institute. Yet Father Vernon Johnson never let go of the idea of a parish response to alcoholism. In 1979 he carried a Call to Action to the Council of Bishops of the Episcopal Church, urging them to be proactive in reaching out to individuals and families suffering from alcoholism. He had not forgotten his calling to serve the church.

The Rush Center is now carrying out Vernon’s dream, a dream that people in the pews would have the support of informed clergy and caring congregational members when they need help with alcohol and/or drug problems. Continuing in this rich history and tradition, the Johnson Institute annually presents the “Irene and Wheelock Whitney Award.” The “Irene and Wheelock Whitney award” is given to those who in their work and life commitment bring faith and science together. Through research, teaching, writing or service, the individual demonstrates that both the power of spirituality and religion and the power of medicine are important to the prevention, intervention and treatment of alcohol and other drug addiction.

There is special excitement this year when the fifth Wheelock Whitney award goes for the first time to an Episcopal priest who in his work and life commitment, like Vernon Johnson, brings the best of science and faith to bear on helping people heal and recover from addictions.

The Fifth Annual “Irene and Wheelock Whitney Award” will be presented to Father Bill Wigmore on Thursday, April 24, 2008 in Minnesota. He is Chief Executive Officer of Austin Recovery, the largest chemical dependency treatment center in Central Texas.

In his recovery from alcoholism, Father Wigmore found his true calling, helping others heal through the power of both faith and science. Bringing the skills and gifts of an Episcopal priest, counselor, caring administrator and fellow pilgrim he helps his flock experience healing and recovery, offering to the recovering community a weekly communion service, “The Fellowship of the Prodigal.”

Father Bill Wigmore is especially deserving of this award. He has not only worked tirelessly to build an outstanding board, staff, and treatment program at Austin Recovery, he has championed treatment by being an active and vocal advocate in the greater community. In the midst of this accomplishment he continued to pursue his own personal healing and recovery journey, leading him to ordination. Father Bill understands firsthand the importance of quality treatment and informed pastoral care.

Past recipients of the Irene and Wheelock Whitney Award include Dr. James B. Nelson, a well-known and highly respected theologian, teacher and author of “Thirst: God and the Alcoholic Experience;” University of New Mexico professor and author Dr. William R. Miller for his groundbreaking work in addiction illness recovery through his many works linking spirituality and recovery; Dr. Robert Albers, a noted Lutheran pastor, author, and pastoral care theologian who has devoted his professional life to helping clergy understand the disease of addiction; and Rev. Dr. Kenneth Robinson for implemented major ministries of community education, alcohol and drug abuse prevention, emergency sustenance, family life enrichment, children services, academic skills enhancement, and economic development.

The award’s namesake, Wheelock Whitney, and his late wife Irene, were co-founders of the Johnson Institute. The Whitney’s have made significant and numerous contributions to the Twin Cities recovery community. They were instrumental in creating the St. Mary’s Alcoholism Treatment Unit. They created Family Care and Counseling at JI – insisting that the family is critical to a person’s recovery. Irene and Wheelock Whitney were also helpful in setting up the first adolescent treatment program, a halfway house for youth.

The Johnson Institute, throughout its 40-year history, has pioneered practices that enhance awareness, intervention, treatment and recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction. Founded by Vernon Johnson in 1965, the Johnson Institute today mobilizes and trains people in recovery for advocacy campaigns, conducts policy research and promotes congregational team ministries through its offices in Austin, Texas; and Washington, D.C.