Press Releases

Contact: Gail Donovan
Donovan Communications
718-399-2122

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BROOKLYN PSYCHIATRIC CENTERS HONORS 
PETER M. MEYER AND TOM EARLY

BROOKLYN, NY—October 24, 2005—A brilliant moon, a lively dance beat, and lots of laughter served as the backdrop for Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers’ casino cruise around Manhattan aboard the World Yacht at the organization’s annual gala celebration on October 20, 2005.

At the event, Dr. Pamela Straker, President and CEO of Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers, presented the Judge Robert J. Wilkin Award for Commitment to Community to Tom Early, Executive Director of Health Plus, and Peter M. Meyer, Commerce Bank’s Regional Vice President for Brooklyn and Queens. The award is presented annually in honor of Judge Wilkin, the founder of Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers who helped establish the Brooklyn’s Children’s Court, served as its presiding judge, and in 1907, created a program to help at risk youth who were in the court system and in the public schools. 

Dr. Straker told the guests that throughout their careers and through in their volunteer lives, both Mr. Early and Mr. Meyer have helped individuals in need, just as Judge Wilkin did.

“Our first honoree, Tom Early, understands the relationship between mental and physical health because as the Executive Director of Health Plus for more than nine years, he’s been on the front lines of the country’s health care debate,” Dr. Straker said. “Health Plus provides a much needed service by offering health insurance coverage for more than 270,000 adults, children, and families, and enables them to receive access to quality medical care.”

Upon receiving the award Mr. Early remarked, “On behalf of Health Plus, I want to thank Pam and the board of Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers for this honor tonight. It takes a dedicated staff and partnerships to be able to do what we do. Pam’s organization, Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers, is one of the organizations we work with and more of our members go to Pam’s organization in Brooklyn for behavioral healthcare than to any other provider.”

In introducing Mr. Meyer, Dr. Straker said he “embodies the grit and determination that will be required for our clients to overcome issues related to mental health such as poverty, stress, and lack of opportunity. Throughout his life he has remained committed to helping others.” She also extended a personal note of thanks for Mr. Meyer’ assistance several years ago in helping the organization begin its strategic planning process.

“It is an honor to receive this award,” Mr. Meyer said. “Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers is an extremely important organization to Brooklyn.  It is as relevant today as it was almost 100 years ago when it was founded.  Brooklyn's large population is extremely diverse and has a large number of residents who are underserved or who need help in sorting through the complexities of everyday life.  Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers understands the challenges facing children and families, listens with trained ears and lends a much needed helping hand. We all benefit tremendously from the work Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers does with our neighbors.”

As Executive Director of Health Plus, Mr. Early has been responsible for the successful expansion and operation of Health Plus throughout New York City. Today Health Plus is the largest managed care provider of Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and Family Health Plus in the entire state. Mr. Early began his career in healthcare over 25 years ago at Presbyterian Hospital of New York City.  He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from St. Francis College and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant.

Mr. Early has been active in a number of local community organizations, serving in various roles, including: the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, St. Francis College Council of Regents, Brooklyn Legal Services Community Advisory Board, Community Advisory Board of Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce (CACCI), Cross Island YMCA Board, Greater New York Councils, Boy Scouts of America Board, the Board of the Association of Health Center Affiliated Health Plans Board,  American Lung Association Board, and Cathedral Prep Oversight Committee. 

In his position as Commerce Bank’s Regional Vice President for Brooklyn and Queens, Mr. Meyer has responsibility for commercial and consumer lending as well as the retail branches. Mr. Meyer joined Commerce in 2002 to execute the bank’s aggressive expansion into the Boroughs and since last April, Commerce has opened 10 branches and will have 15 before the end of this year in the Brooklyn/Queens market. Over the next three years Commerce plans to have over 40 branches throughout the region.

Mr. Meyer started his banking career as a teller with Chemical Bank while attending college. He worked his way through that bank’s branch system eventually becoming a Branch Manager and then a Commercial Lender. Mr. Meyer has held senior lending positions with various banks in New York City and has been instrumental in shaping loan programs and products for healthcare and nonprofit companies, thereby providing greater access to capital for organizations delivering essential services to New Yorkers in need.

A graduate of St. Francis Prep, Brooklyn, and St. Joseph’s College, Brooklyn, Mr. Meyer earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Long Island University, Brooklyn. Mr. Meyer grew up in Woodhaven, Queens, and now lives in Brooklyn Heights. Active in the community, over the years Mr. Meyer has served on the boards of numerous nonprofit and civic organizations and currently is a board member for the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, the Marvin Tiger Foundation, the Downtown Brooklyn Council, and Heartshare Human Services.

Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers provides 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. Its diverse staff of more than 100 professionals provide more than 60,000 visits annually to adults, seniors, children and their families. Public funding and government contracts comprise 90 percent of Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers’ income, but the remainder must be raised from the community. 

Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers presented Judge Robert J. Wilkin Award for Commitment to Community awards to Peter M. Meyer, Commerce Bankís Regional Vice President for Brooklyn and Queens, left, and Tom Early, Executive Director of Health Plus at its annual gala. Photo by Greg Mango.