1. JOHN M. FAVRET
Director
4601 IRONBOUND ROAD
WILLIAMSBURG, VA 23188-2652
Telephone: (757) 253-5161
Fax: (757) 253-5065
V/TDD: (757) 253-4638
http://www.esh.dbhds.virginia.gov
DEPARTMENT OF
BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES
Eastern State Hospital
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing on the behalf of Barbara Weber for employment in your facility. From my work with her, I can
unreservedly recommend her to you with a great confidence that she will do superbly and be a true asset within your
environment. She has a passion for the work she does and an enviable work ethic. Her passion and work ethic
provided great modeling to the patients with whom she worked, as well as peers.
Before her recent departure, I worked with Barbara for approximately 10 years at Eastern State Hospital (ESH). As
a psychologist within the forensic unit, my interface with Barbara was within this extremely challenging environment
of working with individuals found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI). There are great pressures to negotiate
in working with the NGRI population at ESH (with ESH having the largest NGRI population in the Commonwealth
of Virginia). Within this pressure-filled environment, Barbara maintained her focus -- tenaciously so in imparting
content; therapeutically so in her form. And where many staff split within the pressure of the forensic environment,
Barbara always made collaboration her priority. Despite her high-intensity caseload, she would always take time to
collaborate on any special cases; more than just take time, but excitedly engage with any of those special cases that
called for some creative conceptualization. It was her sense of responsibility, her attention to details, her passion for
the work that would prompt people to seek Barbara out, and in response, she was always willing to go the extra
mile. She was never less than 100% committed to providing her services to the patients; in turn, so many patients
negotiated challenging developmental milestones with her support.
In sum, Barbara is passionate about her work and driven by a fantastic work ethic, and there is nothing better than
that combination. Therefore, I recommend her without hesitation to your work environment.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions at my work number: 757-208-7609.
Respectfully,
Michael Kohn, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Forensic Coordinator, Eastern State Hospital
Jack L. Wood
Hospital Director - CEO