BHDD Office of Mental Health Staff Recognized for Excellence

BHDD Office of Mental Health Office of Public Affairs

The following BHDD Office of Mental Health staff have been recognized recently for their contributions and accomplishments in the field of Mental Health.

Four BHDD Office of Mental Health employees were honored at the Mental Health America-SC 65th Annual Birthday Celebration:

• Assistant Deputy Director of the Division of Long-term Care and Chief Medical Officer of DIS Kimberly Rudd, MD, was named Champion in the Fight-Psychiatrist of the Year;
• Division of Community Mental Health Services TLC Consultant Mallory Miller received the Champion in the Fight-Dedication of Service award;
• DIS Forensic Outreach Clinic Clinical Social Worker Noni Richards received the Constance Sheppard Champion in the Fight award; and
• Pee Dee Mental Health Center Program Manager Cathy Lance-Timmons received the Champion in the Fight-Ending Homelessness for Persons with Mental Illness award.

BHDD Office of Mental Health Director of IPS Programs Demetrius Henderson received the inaugural Rick Martinez Leadership Award at the 2019 International IPS Learning Community meeting in Denver, CO. The award honors Dr. Rick Martinez, a founder of the International Learning Community, who worked in mental health for many years at the National Institute of Mental Health and Johnson & Johnson Corporate Contributions.  Dr. Robert Drake presented the award, stating that, “Mr. Henderson has been a steadfast leader in the international spread of supported employment for people with psychiatric disability since 2001.  As a driving force helping South Carolina to implement effective IPS supported employment services in all of the state’s community mental health centers, he has enabled thousands of South Carolina citizens with disabilities to succeed in competitive employment and thereby attain greater independence and community integration.  He is recognized as an outstanding mental health leader throughout the U.S. and other countries.”

Andrea “Lanalle” Darden, CAF Services director at the Santee-Wateree MHC, has been named a 2019 Champion of Evidence-Based Interventions, a distinction given by the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies. “The award recognizes outstanding individuals who have shown exceptional dedication, influence, and social impact through the promotion of evidence-based interventions and who have thereby advanced the mission of ABCT,” explained Davi Lakind, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow in the department of Psychology at the University of South Carolina, who nominated Darden.

Congratulations to each of you, and thank you for your hard work in support of BHDD Office of Mental Health’s mission!