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Donovan Communications
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STATE MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSIONER
VISITS BROOKLYN PSYCHIATRIC CENTERS

BROOKLYN, NY—September 28, 2007—New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Michael F. Hogan, PhD visited Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers recently to meet with its president and CEO, Dr. Pamela Straker, and the heads of two other local mental health organizations.

Dr. Straker, William Witherspoon, executive director of the Upper Manhattan Mental Health Center, and Dr. Thelma Dye, executive director of Northside Center for Child Development, met with Dr. Hogan and Anita Appel, director of the New York City Field Office for the Department of Mental Health, to discuss the special challenges that historically community-based mental health agencies face in today’s health care system.

“It was very refreshing to meet Commissioner Hogan because he has a clear understanding of the issues affecting the national and New York mental health arena,” Dr. Straker said. “It is encouraging to observe that in his short time with the New York State Office of Mental Health, he has spent a significant amount of energy seeking input from organizations like ours in communities around the state.”

Commissioner Hogan was unanimously confirmed by the New York State Senate in March, 2007. He chaired the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health in 2002-2003 and previously served as director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health and director of the Connecticut Department of Mental Health.

Each year, thousands of children, adults, seniors and their families receive the help they need during more than 60,000 visits to Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers’ five community-based clinics in Williamsburg-Greenpoint, Bushwick, Canarsie, Flatbush-Sheepshead Bay, and downtown, on-site programs in the public schools, an outpatient drug and alcohol treatment program, a prevention program serving at-risk children and their families, and senior programs.

Representatives from Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers greet Commissioner Michael F. Hogan, back center. Left to right: Robert J. Sweeney, program director Access; Elaine Schechtel, program director Clearway, Patricia Reid; clinic director Louis E. Reinhold Downtown Mental Health Clinic and program director Rose Gelormino STAR program; Anita Appel, director of the New York City Field Office for the Department of Mental Health; Dr. Pamela Straker, president and CEO; Marie Kelleher, director of Clinical Operations/COO; Evelyn Leavitt, Consumer Advisory Board; Dr. Robert Freeman, director of Psychiatry; and Stella Glover, Consumer Advisory Board.

 

Dr. Pamela Straker, president and CEO of Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers, welcomes New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Michael F. Hogan, PhD to Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers’ offices.

 

Dr. Pamela Straker, president and CEO of Brooklyn Psychiatric Centers; Anita Appel, director of the New York City Field Office for the Department of Mental Health; William Witherspoon, executive director of the Upper Manhattan Mental Health Center; New York State Office of Mental Health Commissioner Michael F. Hogan, PhD; and Dr. Thelma Dye, executive director of Northside Center for Child Development.