[NYAPRS Enews] CHP: Advocates React Positively to New NYC MH Deputy Commissioner

[Briana Gilmore]

NYAPRS Note: As indicated by Harvey's comment below, we look forward to working closely with Gary Belkin in the coming years to offer support and guidance for furthering rehabilitation and integration planning and services in NYC.

New NYC Mental Health Deputy
Crain's Health Pulse  July 22, 2014

Behavioral health providers reacted positively to the city's new executive deputy commissioner for mental hygiene, Gary Belkin, who was appointed without a public announcement earlier this month. The post had sat empty for nearly six months after Mayor Bill de Blasio took office. Dr. Belkin takes his post at the agency Aug. 25, and has been meeting with stakeholders in the meantime.

The deputy commissioner, who oversees a variety of local mental health and community services programs, is critical in the implementation of some of the sweeping changes planned for the state's behavioral health delivery system, said Harvey Rosenthal, executive director of the New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services. "The city has a major voice in how health care integration is going, and I would expect that Gary will continue that trend," said Mr. Rosenthal. "At the end of the day, he'll be at the table with the state crafting what happens."

Dr. Peter Beitchman, chief executive of The Bridge, a nonprofit behavioral health provider, praised Dr. Belkin's New York City credentials. Dr. Belkin was previously senior director for psychiatric services at the city's Health and Hospitals Corp. and deputy director of psychiatry at Bellevue. "He knows the system down here, and he knows the issues," Dr. Beitchman said. Dr. Belkin will replace Hillary Kunins, acting executive deputy commissioner for mental hygiene.

http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20140722/PULSE/140729972/research-labs-in-the-cloud#utm_source=Health%20Pulse%20Alert&utm_medium=alert-html&utm_campaign=Newsletters
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