NAMI E-News President Bush Names Appointments to White House Commission on
Mental Health
NAMI E-News June 3, 2002 Vol. 02-73
On May 31, the White House officially announced the long awaited
appointments to the New Freedom Initiative Commission on Mental health Services.
The commission is intended to examine the current gaps in mental illness
treatment services and make recommendations for ways in which the federal
government can help states increase access to care and improve quality in their
public programs. The text of the President's Executive Order can be viewed at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/04/20020429-2.html
NAMI Member Included Among the Appointments
The full list of the White House appointees can be viewed at:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/05/20020531-5.html
Among the notable appointments to the White House Commission is NAMI Indiana
member Robert Postelhwait. In addition, several other appointments have
considerable experience in working with NAMI over the years including Judge
Ginger Lerner Wren (presiding judge of the Broward County Florida Mental health
Court), and Henry Harbin (CEO of Magellan Behavioral Health). Further, the
Chairman of the Commission, Ohio Mental Health Commissioner Mike Hogan, is a
longtime ally of NAMI Ohio and will be speaking at the upcoming NAMI convention
in Cincinnati, June 26-30th. In addition to these appointments announced late
week, an additional 5 senior officials from federal agencies such as Health and
Human Services, Labor, Education and the Veterans' Administration are still to
be selected.
At long last, President Bush has named 10 members of his New
Freedom Commission on Mental Health, including Dr. Dan Fisher, co-director of
the National Empowerment Center and a longtime advocate for recovery,
empowerment, self-determination and choice. Dan will be a keynote panelist at
this year's NYAPRS Conference, as well as a panelist on our Institute Day's
presentation, 'Making the Case for Evidence-based Peer Support Services.'
Congratulations Dan!
The original White House news release:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/05/20020531-5.html
President Bush to Appoint 16 Individuals to Serve in His Administration
May 31, 2002 White House Press Release
President George W. Bush today announced his intention to appoint 16 individuals
to serve in his administration.
The President intends to appoint the following ten individuals to serve as
Members of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health:
Dr. Jane Adams is currently the Executive Director of Keys for Networking, Inc.,
in Topeka, Kansas. Dr. Adams recently served as an appointee to the Kansas State
Mental Health Task Force to examine hospital closures and as a trainer at
Wraparound Kansas Mental Health Centers.
Rodolfo Arredondo is a Professor of Psychiatry at Texas Tech University in
Lubbock, Texas, and serves as the Executive Director of the Southwest Institute
for Addictive Diseases as well as the Co-Director of the Center for Tobacco
Intervention and Control.
Dr. Daniel B. Fisher is the Co-Director of the National Empowerment Center in
Lawrence, Massachusetts, which has produced a number of training tools kits,
curriculums and videos promoting the concept of recovery from mental illness.
Dr. Fisher has broad experience as a researcher, practicing psychiatrist and
advocate for the mentally ill.
Dr. Anil Godbole is presently a psychiatrist with Advocate North Side Health
Network in Chicago, Illinois, and he is the Chairperson of the Advocate
Behavioral Health Council.
Dr. Henry Troutman Harbin is the Chairman and CEO of Magellan Health Services in
Columbia, Maryland. Prior to joining Magellan, Dr. Harbin was the co-founder of
Green Spring, which grew to be one of the largest managed behavioral healthcare
companies in the country, and from 1978 to 1988, he served as Director and
Regional Director of the State of Maryland Mental Health Administration. Dr.
Harbin is the founder and past Chairman of the American Managed Behavioral
Healthcare Association.
Ginger Lerner-Wren is a Judge in the 17th Judicial Circuit in Ft. Lauderdale,
Florida. In 1993, she was appointed to serve as the Public Guardian of the
Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, and in 1997, the Chief Judge of the Seventeenth
Circuit appointed her to preside over the nation's first Mental Health Court.
Robert Neil Postlethwait of Zionsville, Indiana, was most recently the
President of the Neuroscience Product Division for Eli Lilly where he served
from 1971 to 1999.
Waltraud Ellinger Prechter is Chairman of Prechter Holding, Inc., in Southgate,
Michigan. Mrs. Prechter was instrumental in establishing the Depression Center
at the University of Michigan and she founded the Heinz C. Prechter Fund for
Manic Depression to help develop a cure for bipolar disorder.
Randolph John Townsend served as a Member of the Nevada State Senate from 1983
to 2001. He played a vital role in shaping the state's health care policies and
secured funding to enhance mental health services throughout the state and
improve insurance coverage for people with severe mental illness.
Deanna Felber Yates is a Psychologist in private practice in San Antonio, Texas,
and the President-elect Designate of the Texas Psychological Association.
The President intends to appoint the following six individuals to serve as
Members of the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the
Performing Arts:
For the remainder of a six-year term expiring September 1, 2006:
Smith Bagley of the District of Columbia
William Francis McSweeny of the District of Columbia
Frank Hilton Pearl of the District of Columbia
Mark S. Weiner of Rhode Island
Thomas Edgar Wheeler of the District of Columbia
For the remainder of a six-year term expiring September 1, 2002 and an
additional six-year term expiring September 1, 2008: Albert B. Glickman of Maine
Source:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/05/20020531-5.html
Texas Psychologist Appointed to President's New Freedom Commission on Mental
Health
WASHINGTON, May 31 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Psychological
Association today applauded President George W. Bush's appointment of Texas
psychologist Deanna F. Yates, Ph.D., to the newly created Freedom Commission on
Mental Health.
"The American Psychological Association had strongly recommended Dr. Yates for
the new Freedom Commission as we believed she could make a valuable contribution
to the President's efforts," said Russ Newman, Ph.D., J.D., Executive Director
for Professional Practice, American Psychological Association.
The 15 member commission, headed by Dr. Michael Hogan, former Director of the
Ohio Department of Mental Health, is charged with studying the mental health
care delivery system in the United States, including public and private sector
providers, and advising the President on methods of improving the system.
"This commission is an important step forward in helping to close the gaps in
our mental health care system and I know that Dr. Yates will play a very
important role in helping to investigate current problems and improve care for
those in need," added Newman.
Yates, a much sought-after expert in the treatment of traumatic stress in
children and other psychological issues affecting children, has been in the
private practice of psychology in San Antonio, Texas since 1992. Having gained
wide experience in treating both adults and children, Yates specializes in the
treatment of children and adolescents with much of her work centered in the
areas of mood disorders, anxiety disorders and developmental disorders.
"I am honored to be working with Dr. Hogan and members of the Freedom
Commission," said Dr. Yates. "Having a particular interest in children's mental
health, I believe the Commission's work will be essential in examining issues
related to early diagnosis, intervention and treatment of children in the public
and private systems."
Prior to her work as a clinical psychologist, Yates worked as an elementary
school teacher and principal. In addition to her psychology practice, Yates is
active in various professional and community organizations, including sitting on
the Texas A&M College of Education Development Council and the Texas A&M
Department of Educational Psychology Development Council.
"In the aftermath of September 11th, the mental health of both children and
adults have finally been recognized as crucial to overall public health," stated
Newman. "With her unique perspective as a former teacher, her psychological
expertise and her enthusiasm in both her work and community, Dr. Yates will be a
tremendous asset to the President and to the work of this commission."
Dr. Yates holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from MacMurray College in
Jacksonville, Illinois, a M.S. in Education and Supervision from Texas A&M
University, an M.A. in School Psychology from Trinity University in San Antonio
and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Texas A&M University.
She resides in San Antonio with her husband Tom.
The American Psychological Association (APA), located in Washington, DC, is the
largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the
United States and is the world's largest association of psychologists. APA's
membership includes more than 155,000 researchers, educators, clinicians,
consultants and students. Through its 53 divisions and its affiliations with 60
state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance
psychology as a science and profession, and as a means of promoting health and
human welfare.
SOURCE American Psychological Association
PRESIDENT BUSH
ANNOUNCES FIRST TEN INDIVIDUALS HE INTENDS TO APPOINT TO THE PRESIDENT'S NEW
FREEDOM COMMISSION ON MENTAL HEALTH.
PSYCHIATRIC
SURVIVOR/PSYCHIATRIST DAN FISHER MAKES THE LIST.
WASHINGTON, D.C. The White House released names of the first ten people
President Bush intends to appoint to the "President's New Freedom Commission on
Mental Health." More are expected son.
Dan Fisher, who co-directs the National Empowerment Center with Laurie Ahern,
was one of the first ten. Dan is a psychiatric survivor who is also a
psychiatrist.
The composition of the Commission is so far as expected: Primarily industry and
business leaders. Dr. Fisher is apparently the only self-identified person so
far to have experienced a diagnosis of a psychiatric disability, and psychiatric
institutionalization.
Said David Oaks, Director, Support Coalition International, "We are concerned
with the bias toward industry in these appointments to the new commission. With
just one apparent token from the client community so far, how will human rights,
alternatives and real change be tackled?"
BELOW is based on the White House news release.
After each paragraph announcing a member of the commission, MindFreedom inserts
web URL's, background notes and contact info.
Paragraphs from the White House are marked [WH]:
The President intends to appoint the following ten individuals to serve as
Members of the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health:
WH: Dr. Jane Adams is currently the Executive Director of Keys for Networking,
Inc., in Topeka, Kansas. Dr. Adams recently served as an appointee to the Kansas
State Mental Health Task Force to examine hospital closures and as a trainer at
Wraparound Kansas Mental Health Centers.
http://www.keys.org/
WH: Rodolfo Arredondo is a Professor of Psychiatry at Texas Tech University in
Lubbock, Texas, and serves as the Executive Director of the Southwest Institute
for Addictive Diseases as well as the Co-Director of the Center for Tobacco
Intervention and Control.
http://www.swiad.ttuhsc.edu/SWIAD.htm
WH: Dr. Daniel B. Fisher is the Co-Director of the National Empowerment Center
in Lawrence, Massachusetts, which has produced a number of training tools kits,
curriculums and videos promoting the concept of recovery from mental illness.
Dr. Fisher has broad experience as a researcher, practicing psychiatrist and
advocate for the mentally ill.
http://www.power2u.org/
WH: Dr. Anil Godbole is presently a psychiatrist with Advocate North Side Health
Network in Chicago, Illinois, and he is the Chairperson of the Advocate
Behavioral Health Council.
Dr. Godbole is also President of the National Association of Psychiatric Health
Systems.
http://www.naphs.org/
WH: Dr. Henry Troutman Harbin is the Chairman and CEO of Magellan Health
Services in Columbia, Maryland. Prior to joining Magellan, Dr. Harbin was the
co-founder of Green Spring, which grew to be one of the largest managed
behavioral healthcare companies in the country, and from 1978 to 1988, he served
as Director and Regional Director of the State of Maryland Mental Health
Administration. Dr. Harbin is the founder and past Chairman of the American
Managed Behavioral Healthcare Association.
http://www.magellanhealth.com/
More on Magellan and Charter Behavioral
WH: Ginger Lerner-Wren is a Judge in the 17th Judicial Circuit in Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida. In 1993, she was appointed to serve as the Public Guardian
of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, and in 1997, the Chief Judge of the
Seventeenth Circuit appointed her to preside over the nation's first Mental
Health Court.
For an article praising mental health courts by Judge Lerner-Wren see:
http://www.ncsc.dni.us/ICM/distance/Court_Organization/2000_12/
WH: Robert Neil Postlethwait of Zionsville, Indiana, was most recently the
President of the Neuroscience Product Division for Eli Lilly where he served
from 1971 to 1999.
A brief bio:
http://www.ecn.purdue.edu/ECN/DEA/1995/Robert_N_Postlethwait
On NAMI Indiana planning council:
"In May, Bob Postlethwait, who had recently retired from Eli Lilly & Company,
agreed to join the Planning Committee. A preliminary Strategic Plan was
developed by the Committee, which served as the basis for funding proposals that
were made to the Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers, major
pharmaceutical companies and the Indiana Division of Mental Health. The success
of the funding proposals in securing funding made it imperative to expand the
strategic planning process. "
http://www.namiindiana.org/strategic_plan.htm
WH: Waltraud Ellinger Prechter is Chairman of Prechter Holding, Inc., in
Southgate, Michigan. Mrs. Prechter was instrumental in establishing the
Depression Center at the University of Michigan and she founded the Heinz C.
Prechter Fund for Manic Depression to help develop a cure for bipolar disorder.
Ms. Waltraud Prechter is the widow of the late Heinz C. Prechter, a tycoon in
the auto industry (sun roofs, etc.). Heinz had a long history of being
diagnosed bipolar, and killed himself July 6, 2001. That's why she established
the above fund:
http://www.ascglobal.com/HCP/press_release.htm
Heinz had a long history of donating to the Bush family, such as President's
Bush's father's campaign in1988:
http://www.tpj.org/pioneers/heinz_prechter.html
But Waltraud has been selling off the assets of her husband:
http://detnews.com/2002/autosinsider/0205/08/b01-483077.htm
WH: Randolph John Townsend served as a Member of the Nevada State Senate from
1983 to 2001. He played a vital role in shaping the state's health care policies
and secured funding to enhance mental health services throughout the state and
improve insurance coverage for people with severe mental illness.
legislative bio:
http://www.leg.state.nv.us/71st/Legislators/Senators/TOWNSEND.cfm
He's now listed as an advisor to Nevada Ventures, an investment company:
http://www.nvven.com/mt_rt.htm
WH: Deanna Felber Yates is a Psychologist in private practice in San Antonio,
Texas, and the President-elect Designate of the Texas Psychological Association.
http://www.texaspsyc.org/
Contact info:
Deanna Felber Yates
14815 San Pedro Avenue
San Antonio TX 78232
ph: (210) 494-1991
E-mail address listed: <dfyaggie@aol.com>
New White House Staff for New Freedom Initiative
Please join me in welcoming Troy Justesen to the White House. Troy is the new
point of contact for President Bush's New Freedom Initiative and other issues
important to people with disabilities. We are very excited to have Troy as part
of our team. I have included his bio and contact information below.
Thanks!
Katy Hayes
Office of Public Liaison,
The White House
NFI@WhiteHouse.Gov
Troy R. Justesen recently joined the White House staff as Associate Director for
Domestic Policy. Troy will assist the Offices of Domestic Policy and Public
Liaison with the President's New Freedom Initiative and other issues important
to people with disabilities. Troy comes to the White House after serving as
Deputy Executive Director of the President's Commission on Excellence in Special
Education. Prior to this position, he served as a policy analyst in the
Director's Office of the Office of Special Education Programs at the U.S.
Department of Education.
In the mid 1990's, Troy served more than three years at the Disability Rights
Section of the U.S. Department of Justice working on enforcement issues under
the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. He also worked at the Utah State
University affiliated Center for Persons with Disabilities on issues involving
children and youth with disabilities, including assistive technology, personnel
preparation, and special education. During this time, he was appointed by Utah's
Governor to serve on that state's policy oversight board of the agency
responsible for wavier programs and other services for people with developmental
disabilities.
Troy is active in the independent living and civil rights movements, and will
return to his position at the U.S. Department of Education concentrating on
special education policy matters within the Office of the Director of the Office
of Special Education Programs. He is a former adjunct professor of special
education. Troy holds a bachelor and master degrees from Utah State University,
and a doctorate from Vanderbilt University.
Troy may be reached at 202-456-5228 or via email at
Troy_Justesen@opd.eop.gov
