Steve Patterson: A Journey of Innovation, Resilience, and Transformation
Welcome to my digital hub, StevePatterson.online, where I share my journey as a seasoned leader in program development, healthcare innovation, digital media, and holistic recovery. With over 25 years of experience across various fields, my career has been marked by a unique blend of strategic foresight, ethical leadership, and relentless innovation. As a US Army veteran, cancer survivor, and passionate advocate for ethical AI in healthcare, my story is one of resilience, transformation, and continuous learning.
Professional
Overview
I am a visionary Program Director and Healthcare Innovation Consultant with a rich career spanning addiction recovery, digital media, sports journalism, and healthcare ethics. Operating primarily in remote environments since 1997, I have managed teams, driven program success, and pioneered digital strategies that have redefined industries. I am passionate about integrating technology to enhance patient care, privacy, and equity, and I continually seek opportunities to create meaningful change.
Career Highlights
Program Director
Recovery Cafe | Athens, GA (Remote/Hybrid)
June 2015 – Present
I have led the development and implementation of innovative, client-centered recovery programs aligned with ASAM criteria and best practices. In addition, I developed and maintain the Recovery Café website, launched in 2015, and created custom AI applications under strict HIPAA compliance for client management. My leadership extends to managing daily operations, facilitating group therapy sessions, and advocating for ethical AI integration in healthcare to enhance patient care and privacy. I developed groundbreaking group therapy manuals for telehealth delivery, integrating evidence-based practices with emerging therapeutic techniques.
Owner and Counselor
Wind and Raven | Athens, GA (Remote)
April 2014 – Present
I founded Wind and Raven to integrate existential, scientific, and spiritual methodologies, empowering individuals to make better life choices. I developed the “Holistic Healing Path,” merging ancient healing techniques with contemporary practices, and explored indigenous healing traditions in Scandinavia and Latin America, enriching my approach to holistic recovery.
Publisher and Managing Editor
UGASports.com, UGASports.net, DawgsIllustrated.com, UGASportsLive.com, RedAndBlackPages.com, ThePattersonPress.com | Remote
UGASports.com / Rivals.com / Yahoo! Sports | Remote
December 1997 – September 2014
As Publisher and Managing Editor of UGASports.com, I managed and grew a large, engaged community of sports enthusiasts remotely, creating and managing several groundbreaking websites along the way, including UGASports.com, UGASports.net, DawgsIllustrated.com (based on my magazine of the same name), UGASportsLive.com, RedAndBlackPages.com, and ThePattersonPress.com. I pioneered innovative digital strategies, including creating the first interactive depth charts for college football coverage and hosting the UGASports LIVE podcast, positioning UGASports.com as a leader in digital sports journalism.
Owner and Publisher
Dawgs Illustrated Magazine | Athens, GA (Remote)
June 2001 – January 2005
I managed all aspects of magazine production, including layout, photography, and distribution, reaching a peak of 2,000 subscribers. I also contributed photography, copy, and layout expertise for Bulldawg Bite magazine, leveraging Adobe’s print publication tools at the time. My work demonstrated my ability to adapt content strategies to new formats and platforms.
Education
Bachelor of Science – Oregon State University, 1998
While completing my degree, I combined my passions for history and science. I had previously focused on American Civil War studies at a university in Georgia before transferring to Oregon State. There, I specialized in the history of medicine, particularly slave medicine in the Caribbean, and Islamic civilization from its inception through the medieval period. My interdisciplinary studies reflect my curiosity and commitment to understanding diverse historical perspectives.
Certifications and Professional Development
- AI in Healthcare Specialization – Stanford University, 2024
- CertNexus Certified Ethical Emerging Technologist – Coursera, 2024
- Generative AI Fundamentals Specialization – IBM, 2024
- A Strategic Approach to Cybersecurity – University of Maryland, 2024
- Certified Alcohol & Other Drug Counselor (CDAC) – ADACBGA, 2019
- Recovery Coach and Trainer – Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery, 2018
Key Skills and Expertise
- Remote Team Leadership: Skilled in managing diverse teams in remote environments and fostering collaborative cultures.
- Strategic Planning and Program Development: Expert in designing strategic plans for content creation, recovery programs, and digital health transformation.
- Digital Strategy and Content Development: Pioneered digital content strategies in sports journalism and leveraged digital tools for telehealth services.
- Ethical AI Integration and Health Informatics: Advocate for ethical AI integration in healthcare, focusing on patient care, privacy, and equity.
- Public Speaking and Communication: Experienced in hosting podcasts, leading group therapy sessions, and engaging with community partners.
Projects and Achievements
- Development of Group Therapy Manuals for Telehealth Delivery: I authored the ASAM Level One Group Therapy Manual and the Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Group Manual, pivotal in modernizing recovery therapy.
- UGASports LIVE Podcast: I developed and hosted a popular podcast that became a community favorite, showcasing innovation in digital media engagement. From its inception in 2005 until 2012, I produced and hosted UGASports Live, one of the early podcasts (before the term was widely used), while also being a weekly guest on about 10 radio stations across the U.S. during college football seasons. I served as Georgia’s spokesperson for the early Rivals Radio, syndicated on Sirius Satellite, and participated in numerous Rivals.com Camps during the summers from 2007 to 2010.
- First Live Streaming of a Coaching Press Conference (1998): I set a precedent for digital sports journalism by pioneering live streaming.
- Flood Relief Drive for Grand Forks (1997): I created a website called ‘Wake of the Flood’ to organize a nationally recognized flood relief drive, which earned me interviews on MPR Morning Edition and NPR. The interview is now part of the national archives.
Personal Journey and Philosophy
My personal journey has been marked by profound challenges that have shaped my approach to life and work. During my tenure at UGASports.com, I was interviewed twice by doctoral students—once about the development of journalism on the Internet and another about the rise of college sports websites in the early 2000s. As a cancer survivor and author of This is How it Feels to Heal, I share my story of navigating terminal illness through unconventional methods, including shamanism, alternative healing practices, and a deep exploration of consciousness. Published in 2022, the book reflects my belief in the power of introspection, resilience, and the human spirit to overcome adversity.
Vision and Future Endeavors
Evolving from a phase of active leadership to one of thoughtful guidance and mentorship, I am focused on guiding organizations toward innovative solutions that drive meaningful change and foster a culture of continuous improvement. I seek remote opportunities worldwide where my skills in program development, digital strategy, and ethical AI integration can create value and impact.
Connect with Me
Whether you are interested in collaboration, consulting, or simply connecting over shared interests in healthcare innovation, digital media, or holistic recovery, I am always open to new conversations. Reach out and join me on this journey of continuous learning and transformation.