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Contact: Gail Donovan
Donovan Communications
718-399-2122

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BROOKLYN PSYCHIATRIC CENTERS RECOGNIZES 88 EMPLOYEES
WITH TOTAL OF 634 YEARS OF SERVICE

BROOKLYN, NY—June 15, 2007—Eighty-eight employees who have worked at Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers for a total of 634 years were honored by the agency at a Staff Appreciation Luncheon held recently at St. Francis College in downtown Brooklyn.

“I’ve been looking forward to this day for a very long time,” said Dr. Pamela Straker, president and CEO of Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers, which is celebrating 100 years of service this year. “It gives me great pleasure to be able to thank the staff members who have been with us in the short-term and the long-term for their contribution to the lives of the people we serve.”

Dr. Straker told the group, “We see articles in the press every day that reflect the need for mental health services. What we don’t see is that there are dedicated people like you who are here to help solve these problems in our country.”

Of the 105 staff members employed by Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers, over 40 have worked at the mental health agency for more than 5 years.

Special recognition was given to Marie Kelleher, A.C.S.W., director of Clinical Operations and chief operating officer, who has been with Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers for 44 years. Prior to joining the executive team, Ms. Kelleher was clinic administrator at the Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers’ Williamsburg-Greenpoint Mental Health Clinic.

In addition, Sandra Rodriguez, a social work therapist at the Williamsburg-Greenpoint Mental Health Clinic, received special recognition for 35 years of service, and Candida Tirado, also a social work therapist also at the Williamsburg-Greenpoint Clinic, received special recognition for 31 years of service.

Founded in 1907, BPC offers borough-wide mental health services to Brooklyn’s most vulnerable residents through its clinics in Bushwick, Canarsie, Flatbush-Sheepshead Bay, Williamsburg-Greenpoint, and downtown Brooklyn and the borough’s public schools. The agency also offers prevention services, an outpatient drug and alcohol treatment program, and a program for seniors. Its diverse staff of professionals provides more than 60,000 visits annually to adults, seniors, children and their families.  More information about Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers’ programs is available at www.bpcinc.org.

 

Dr. Pamela Straker, president and CEO of Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers, far right, and Marie Kelleher, director of Clinical Operations and chief operating officer who has worked at the agency for 44 years, second from right, with staff members who have been at the agency more than 10 years.

Dr. Pamela Straker, far right, president and CEO of Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers, with staff members who have worked at the agency between five and nine years.