New DMH Director Search gathers representatives from statewide groups
The Missouri Mental Health Commission announces the names of those who will serve on the Advisory Search Panel for the new Department of Mental Health Director search. The following 15 individuals were chosen by their statewide organizations to represent the fields of behavioral health and developmental disabilities.
Jessica Bax, Department of Mental Health, Division of Developmental Disabilities
Dr. John Constantino, former Mental Health Commissioner
Teresa Coyan, Mental Health Commissioner
Ladell Flowers, Missouri Coalition of Recovery Support Providers
Dr. Rick Gowdy, retired, Department of Mental Health, Division of Behavioral Health
Jeff Grosvenor, Missouri Associations of Rehabilitation Facilities (MARF)
Dana Hockensmith, Mental Health Commissioner
Denise Mills, Missouri Advisory Council, Mental Health Disorders Committee
Nancy Pennington, Missouri Association of County Developmental Disabilities Services
Mark Schwartz, Missouri Behavioral Health Council
Animesh Shah, Missouri Planning Council for Developmental Disabilities
David Stoecker, Missouri Advisory Council, Substance Use Disorders Committee
Gena Terlizzi, NAMI Missouri
Lynne Unnerstall, Mental Health Commissioner
The Advisory Search Panel will serve as an advisory group for the entire Mental Health Commission. The panel, chaired by Teresa Coyan, will review applications, interview qualified candidates and recommend individuals to the Mental Health Commission. The final decision will be made by the Mental Health Commission after it conducts its own interviews with the top candidates.
Applications for the Director position will be accepted until the close of business on Friday, November 5, 2021. Click here for the complete job description. Any questions regarding the search process should be directed to Debra Walker at debra.walker@dmh.mo.gov or 573-751-1647.