The Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) recently hosted its 23rd Evening of Excellence at the Park Savoy Estate in Florham Park, NJ. More than 280 attendees, sponsors, partners and volunteers joined the leadership and staff of MHANJ to honor four outstanding individuals and one organization as behavioral health pioneers.
Carolyn Beauchamp, President and CEO of the Mental Health Association stated, “Our honorees are extremely deserving of recognition for their creativity and dedication to improving behavioral health and wellness in New Jersey. We were pleased to highlight their spectacular accomplishments and we look forward to continuing our own work, striving for the best possible mental health for children and adults in our state.”
2023 Behavioral Health Honorees
Frank A. Ghinassi, PhD, ABPP, President and CEO of Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care, Senior Vice President of Behavioral Health and Addictions Service Line for RWJBarnabas Health was honored by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey for his leadership and pioneering work in behavioral health research. Under his leadership, federally funded research capacity has expanded from $1,000,000 to $20,000,000. The projects are based on societal need, and almost always involve a new service initiative.
Donald J. Parker, LCSW, President of Behavioral Health Care Transformation Services for Hackensack Meridian Health was honored by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey for innovative treatment approaches and pioneering the first urgent care center with behavioral health in the country and increasing access to behavioral health treatment.
Edward C. Dobleman, Director, Crisis Intervention Team (CIT-NJ) Center of Excellence, Retired Chief of Police, was honored by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey for his leadership and dedication to the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT-NJ), a county-based collaboration of law enforcement, first responders and mental health professionals who assist people experiencing a behavioral health crisis. Today under Mr. Dobleman’s leadership, all 21 counties in New Jersey have a Crisis Intervention Team.
Also serving as the Evening of Excellence Keynote Speaker, Emily Grossman, MA CPRP, NYCPS-P, Peer Life coach and Author was honored by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey for inspirational leadership for people with mental health and substance use conditions. Ms. Grossman was the keynote speaker for the evening and shared the story of her own journey to wellness, referenced in her new book, Unlocked: From Psych Hospital to Higher Self.
Purple Swans Corporation, a non-profit New Jersey dance troupe dedicated to integrating Chinese and American performing arts, was honored by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey for using their platform to make a positive impact on communities. The Purple Swans Corporation uses a unique, creative approach to break the stigma of mental health challenges in our communities.
The 23rd Annual Evening of Excellence was hosted by Lisa Marie Falbo, an Emmy-nominated television host, executive producer, and author. Currently, Ms. Falbo hosts “Your New Jersey” on MeTV-WJLP, which features community leaders throughout the Garden State.
About the Mental Health Association in New Jersey’s Evening of Excellence
The Mental Health Association in New Jersey’s 23rd Annual Evening of Excellence is a crucial fundraiser for the organization. Proceeds from the event will support our advocacy efforts in behavioral health.
The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is to our corporate sponsors, including: at the Diamond Level — RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care; at the Silver Level — Elaine Ferretti, Hackensack Meridian Health, Inserra Supermarkets, Janine & Dan Kane, United Healthcare; and at the Bronze Level — Community Access Unlimited, Delta Dental, Steven E. Geltzeiler, Hackensack Meridian Carrier Clinic, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, Janssen Neuroscience Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, Legacy Treatment Services, Lexpath, Lundbeck, Mike World Wide, Otsuka and Zelis.
The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization whose mission is to strive for children and adults to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. Its state headquarters is in Union County. It has additional locations in Atlantic, Hudson and Ocean Counties, and affiliates in Essex, Monmouth, Morris, and Passaic Counties. For more information visit https://www.mhanj.org/.
