Jody Forter is a licensed marriage and family therapist at Kaiser Permanente in Orange.
What inspired you to pursue a career in behavioral health?
When I was growing up, my dad and I used to talk about picking a career. He told me these two things: 1) the best job in the entire world is to improve people’s lives, doing as much good for as many as possible. 2) pick a career where you share values with, and respect, those people you work with EVERY DAY. My work as an addiction medicine clinician has been life-changing, humbling, and the honor of a lifetime. We are truly vessels of thy love.
How has being in NUHW helped you in your profession?
My understanding of and involvement with NUHW has been transformative as a professional and as an individual. NUHW has rejuvenated my faith in the power of a few committed people speaking truth to power, the power of good, the power of organized labor when driven by democratic principles and practices. NUHW’s unity for justice and deep commitment to progressive values is unwavering, and I have grown and learned more than I could have ever imagined. Maybe most importantly, it rekindled my faith that our political systems and government CAN be for the good of those most in need, those on the margins, those left behind. It can work.
