2007 behavioral health champions.

If you ask a child what he wants to be when he grows up, he's not likely to say CEO of a behavioral healthcare organization. But somewhere down the line today's leaders realized their passion for this field and made a commitment to improving service delivery for their consumers and communities. Being at the top of a behavioral healthcare organization certainly is a tough job, especially with omnipresent staffing and funding challenges. Yet some executives find ways to help their organizations not only survive, but thrive. They transform their operations to meet strategic goals; grow services to meet consumers' evolving needs; and share their experiences with colleagues to help improve service delivery across the country.

This is the third year Behavioral Healthcare is honoring such "champions" in the field. This year's honorees, nominated by readers and selected by the editors, are: Ann Borders, president and CEO of Cummins Behavioral Health Systems, Inc., in Indiana; Dale K. Klatzker, PhD, president and CEO of The Providence Center in Rhode Island and Massachusetts; Lawrence P. Noonan, CEO of A.W.A.R.E., Inc., in Montana and New Mexico; and Tuerk Schlesinger, MBA, CEO of AltaPointe Health Systems, Inc., in Alabama, chosen in partnership with the sponsor of this year's awards, Netsmart Technologies. We hope you find the stories behind this year's honorees interesting, inspiring, and reenergizing your passion for your own work.

Dale K. Klatzker PhD

"I became interested in behavioral health as an undergraduate at Brandeis University. I was looking for a summer job--any job--when I interviewed with a woman who recognized something in me that I didn't see in myself. She hired me to work with problem kids. I had not chosen social services as my career path and had no confidence in my ability to help anyone but myself. I discovered that I loved the work!

"I have had the privilege of serving people with behavioral health needs on many levels--as a clinician, as CEO of three community mental health centers, and as board chair of the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare. Throughout my career, I have expanded services through partnerships and collaborations while working with staff to instill integrity and soul into each organization.

"Three years ago I joined The Providence Center as president/CEO. My focus has been providing quality care for consumers through best clinical and business practices. I have worked to establish partnerships, a strong leadership team, innovative technology, a sense of teamwork and open communication throughout the organization--all to more effectively meet client needs.

"My vision is simple, to ensure that people who need help receive it. People with mental illness and substance use problems are some of our most vulnerable citizens. We must not forget that, as a society, we have a responsibility to ensure that everyone receives quality services and is treated with dignity and respect.

"I learned a long time ago that no one accomplishes anything alone. Individual success is linked to many people's efforts and energy. I am grateful to my family and the many people who supported me throughout my career. They are the true 'champions.'"

Photography: Al Weems

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Position: President and CEO

Organization: The Providence Center

Service area: Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts

Main services: Includes outpatient and residential services for adults with mental health and/or substance abuse issues; children and families coping with emotional, psychiatric, and behavioral issues; and special education school for youths with psychiatric issues

Number of staff: 500+

Most vivid behavioral healthcare memory: "My wife and I have three special needs children. I came to understand the experiences individuals and families have in the behavioral healthcare system through the successes, challenges, frustrations, and failures we encountered while seeking help as parents. Our experiences guide my decisions each day as I strive to make it easier for consumers to receive the help they need."

Favorite quote: "It was once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy, and the handicapped."--Sen. Hubert H. Humphery

Ann Borders

"How many professions allow so many opportunities to contribute, to learn, to be challenged, to be inspired? I entered the behavioral health field in 1976 and, looking back over the past 31 years, I can't think of a single inpatient or outpatient work setting where there weren't daily opportunities to make a difference.

"I have served as president and CEO of Cummins Behavioral Health Systems, Inc., since 1993. Traditionally the smallest community mental health center in Indiana, Cummins launched an expansion campaign in the mid-1990s that established offices in six additional counties. The 'new' eight-county organization is now among Indiana's larger providers. Last year Cummins served 9,247 individuals from 64% of the state's counties--nearly double the number served 6 years ago and five times more than were served 12 years earlier. Budget size increased approximately 600% during that 12-year period.

"Cummins has been involved in a number of national initiatives to demonstrate clinical and administrative best practices, and in 2007 Cummins was awarded first place in the annual Negley Awards for Excellence in Risk Management.

"Our most important strategy, bar none, is the inclusion of consumers, employees, and key constituencies in planning, direction setting, and managing outcomes. Community partners and a Consumer Advisory Board provide policy and planning advice to Cummins' board and staff. Employee teams manage their own business units through a three-stage operations review process developed by Cummins. Best Practice Councils are being formed to enable all staff to learn about and implement new clinical and administrative practices.

"These approaches have energized our staff and have nurtured a passion for exceptional responsiveness to the needs of our customers and our organization. Being a part of these collaborative efforts has been the most fulfilling aspect of my career."

Photographer: Mike Stutler

Position: President and CEO

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Organization: Cummins Behavioral Health Systems, Inc.

Service area: Eight counties in Central and West-Central Indiana

Main services: Continuum of behavioral healthcare (mental health, addiction, and dual-diagnosis services in outpatient and residential settings) for all ages

Number of staff: 204

Most vivid behavioral healthcare memory: "Any of Cummins' consumer awards banquets would provide memories to last a lifetime. Nominees arrive in police-escorted limousines, enter via red carpet, and are honored for their achievements. Their recovery journeys have inspired us, have created new understanding within our communities, and have helped us to imagine myriad new possibilities."

Personal mission statement: "My personal mission is to work with and through others to improve the quality of life of persons affected by behavioral health disorders. I believe that we are here to communicate the hope of recovery and to continuously seek ways to optimize the potential that exists with individuals and groups."

Tuerk Schlesinger MBA

"I enjoy leading a team that steadfastly pursues the goal of transforming mental healthcare in our region into the mainstream of integrated healthcare. To accomplish this, we have combined the brightest professional and leadership staff, state-of-the-art technology, and adherence to the highest clinical standards of care and sound business principles. Ultimately, we want to ensure that our consumers receive the highest quality care in a seamless continuum of outpatient, residential, and inpatient settings.

"This cannot be accomplished in a vacuum. To achieve this goal, we have brought together as partners the community's hospital systems, the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Auburn University School of Pharmacy, and the Alabama Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. We continue to build on our relationships to solidify our place in the regional healthcare network.

"I have always tried to apply the principles of vision, structure, and cultural alignment to keep us focused and moving together toward our goals. Every day I give credit to the contributions made by our leadership team and board of directors. We're eager to learn from others and have traveled across the country to seek consultation and adapt our treatment services. In addition, we meet regularly with our consumers and families to maintain our connection with those who matter most.

"I'm proud of our development of a centralized access-to-care department; system-wide electronic health records and telehealth; the development and operation of a hospital for children, adolescents, and adults; and accreditation by The Joint Commission.

"I enjoy applying business principles to the everyday problems we encounter in a not-so-traditional business environment.

"My greatest satisfaction comes from knowing that we have built the strongest and best system of care possible for our consumers."

Photographer: Steve Goraum

Position: CEO

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Organization: AltaPointe Health Systems, Inc. (formerly Mobile Mental Health)

Service area: Southwest region of Alabama