FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Mark Weber
November 26, 2002 Phone: 301-443-8956
BUSINESS LEADERS TESTIFY
BEFORE PRESIDENT'S MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION
MEETING FOCUSES ON SOLUTIONS
The December 4-6, 2002 meeting of the President's New Freedom Commission
on Mental Health shifts focus from examining problems to identifying
improvements needed in the mental health services delivery system.
The commission will hear two presentations addressing system fragmentation,
one of the largest barriers encountered by individuals and families
using mental health services. The commission also will hear three
business executives share their personal experiences with depression.
The commission is charged with conducting a comprehensive study of
America's mental health services delivery system and advising the
President on methods of improving the system. The commission, comprised
of 22 members appointed by President Bush, is chaired by Michael F.
Hogan, Ph.D., Director, Ohio Department of Mental Health.
Meeting Highlights:
Wednesday, December 4
3:00 B 4:30PM/ Panel Presentation, ADealing with Fragmentation in
the Service Delivery System.@ Steve Sharfstein, President and CEO
Sheppard Pratt Health System; Timothy A. Kelly, Ph.D., Director of
Clinical Training, Fuller Graduate School of Psychology; Laurie Flynn,
Director, Carmel Hill Center for Early Diagnosis and Treatment, Columbia
University.
4:30 B 5:30PM/ Panel Presentation, ABusiness Executives Share Personal
Experience with Depression.@ Larry Gellerstedt, III, President and
COO, The Integral Group, Atlanta, Georgia; J. B. Fuqua, Chairman,
The Fuqua Companies, Atlanta, Georgia; Tom Johnson, Retired Chair
and CEO, CNN News Group, Atlanta, Georgia.
Thursday, December 5
8:30 B 10:00AM / AA Model to Reduce Fragmentation.@ Dr. Ron Diamond,
Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Wisconsin and Medical
Director, Mental Health Center of Dane County, Madison, Wisconsin
Friday, December 6
10:45 B 11:45AM/ Public Comment Period. Slots are available on a first-to-sign-up
basis.
WHERE: Crystal Gateway Marriott,1700 Jefferson Davis Highway,
Arlington, VA. The hotel's phone number is (703) 920-3230. Please
see website for more details: www.MentalHealthCommission.gov
