Contact: Communications@thenationalcouncil.org or 202.684.7457.

Washington, DC (July 8, 2011) — Carl Clark, MD, assumes leadership of the board of directors National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare (National Council) as the association advances an aggressive agenda to protect and expand safety net mental health and addictions treatment services. Clark will lead a board committed to recovery and a life in the community for persons with mental illnesses and addiction disorders.

Clark, a practicing psychiatrist and CEO of the Mental Health Center of Denver (MHCD) in Denver, Colorado has been a passionate behavioral health advocate for more than three decades. He leads MHCD in its mission of enriching lives and minds by focusing on strengths and recovery and is widely known as an expert in improving community mental health care. Clark has been NAMI’s Exemplary Psychiatrist of the Year and the Colorado Business Council’s Professional Man of the Year. He is Assistant Clinical Professor at the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine.

“It’s a privilege to have been elected chair of the National Council’s board at a time when healthcare reform and parity are about to greatly expand access to behavioral healthcare and our community is being asked to step up to the plate to help. I am humbled and energized by the opportunity to help millions of adults, children, and families with mental and addictions disorders get better and get their lives together,” said Clark.

Other newly elected National Council board officers are Jeffrey Walter, President-CEO, Rushford Center Inc., Meriden, CT (first vice chair); David M. Ptaszek, CEO, Pennyroyal Center, Hopkinsville, KY (second vice chair); and Susan Blue, CEO, Community Services Group, Mountville, PA (secretary/treasurer). The board’s Public Policy Committee has as its new chair, Tim Swinfard, President and CEO of the Missouri Coalition of Community Mental Health Centers, and vice chair Rich Leclerc, President and CEO of Gateway Healthcare in Pawtucket, RI, is the new vice-chair of the board’s Public Policy Committee. Vic DiGravio, President and CEO of the Massachusetts Association for Behavioral Healthcare, is the new chair of the National Council association executives group.

“The strength of the board cannot be overstated; each member brings to the table an understanding of community and a vision of National Council member organizations as change makers. Carl Clark leads a board determined to take us from strength to significance and I’m honored to be part of the effort,” said Linda Rosenberg, President and CEO of the National Council.

New regional directors elected or re-elected to the National Council board are

• Katherine Wilson, President and CEO, Behavioral Health Network, Inc., Springfield, MA
• Peter Campanelli, PsyD, President and CEO, Institute for Community Living New York, NY
• Joanne Sheldon, CEO, Lifeways Community Mental Health Authority, Jackson, MI
• William Brown, JD, Board Member, MHMR of Tarrant County, Mansfield, TX
• David Covington, Chief of Adult Services, Magellan Health Services of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ
• Richard Van Horn, MDiv, President Emeritus, Mental Health Association of Los Angeles, Long Beach, CA

The National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) association of 1,950 behavioral healthcare organizations that provide treatment and rehabilitation for mental illnesses and addiction disorders to nearly six million adults, children and families in communities across the country. The National Council and its members bear testimony to the fact that medical, social, psychological and rehabilitation services offered in community settings help people with mental illnesses and addiction disorders recover and lead productive lives. Learn more at www.TheNationalCouncil.org.