MHA Elects Ann Boughtin as New Chair of Board of Directors

MENTAL HEALTH AMERICA ELECTS ANN BOUGHTIN AS NEW CHAIR OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Contact: Steve Vetzner, (703) 797-2588 or svetzner@mentalhealthamerica.net

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (September 25, 2012)—Mental Health America has elected Ann Boughtin as the new Chair of its Board of Directors beginning this month.

In this role, Boughtin will provide direction and leadership to the organization and its 240 affiliates nationwide.

“Mental Health America has been at the forefront of the mental health movement in our country for over 100 years and it is an honor to serve as chair at this time,” Boughtin said. “I plan to work to increase the visibility of our cause at the national, state and local levels and to build on the great work of our affiliate network so that our united voice is heard across America.”

"It's a pleasure having such a talented and impassioned leader as the head of Mental Health America's Board of Directors," said Dr. Wayne Lindstrom, president and CEO of Mental Health America.  "We look forward to working with her to strengthen our affiliate field and advance our mission of improving the mental health and well-being of all people."

Boughtin is a Principal of Boughtin and Orndoff Consulting (www.boughtinandorndoff.com), which is focused on health care systems management and behavioral health operations.  Recently, she worked with governments and providers to develop strategic plans and creative approaches to the new fiscal challenges. Boughtin has worked on all sides of the managed care business, negotiating contracts for providers, designing Medicaid managed care policy for government, and leading large managed care operations in the private sector.

She spent 15 years with the New York State Office of Mental Health, leading the development and implementation of transformative ambulatory programs for people with serious mental illness, and has led large Medicaid managed care programs for Magellan Health Services.  As a consultant, Boughtin has worked with counties, nonprofit organizations, national health care companies and technology companies related to business development and operational improvements.  A former President of the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association of Middle Tennessee, she is currently on the Board of Directors of Mental Health America of East Central Florida, Inc.  Boughtin was awarded MS and MPA degrees from the State University of New York at Brockport.

Mental Health America (www.mentalhealthamerica.net) is the nation’s largest and oldest community-based network dedicated to helping all Americans achieve wellness by living mentally healthier lives. With our 240 affiliates across the country, we touch the lives of millions—Advocating for changes in mental health and wellness policy; Educating the public & providing critical information; and delivering urgently needed mental health and wellness Programs and Services.

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