Community Psychiatrists from around the State met at the UNC William and Ida Friday Center, May 19, for the Eighth Annual NC Community Psychiatrists Network Symposium to learn about “Preparing for changes in the public mental health system.”
John Gilmore, MD, director of the Network and the UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health, Thad and Alice Eure Distinguished Professor and vice chair, Research and Scientific Affairs, in the Department of Psychiatry, welcomed the group. He recognized North Carolina AHEC’s Karen Stallings and Warren Newton, MD, for their support and contributions to the Network as well as advisory board attendees: Robin Huffman, NCPA; Marvin Swartz, MD, Duke Medical School; John Diamond, MD, Brody Medical School; and Burt Johnson, MD, Trillium Healthcare Resources; and Katherine Hobbs-Knutson, MD, Alliance Behavioral Healthcare.
Dave Richard, deputy director, division of Medical Assistance, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, opened the program with “How North Carolina is moving forward with improving health for people with mental health needs.”
In a related session, Mark Gwynne, DO, interim president/executive medical director, UNC Health Alliance/Senior Alliance and associate professor, UNC School of Medicine, presented “UNC Healthcare transition to value.”
Other sessions included “The secret sauce of leadership—Sustaining personal change” a lively, interactive management session on change by Robert Goldberg, MBA, an affiliated faculty at UNC Kenan Flagler Business School. Gilmore moderated a panel discussion on “How valued-based care will hold MCOs and providers accountable for quality care and outcomes” with Diamond, Swartz, and Hobbs-Knutson participating as panelists.
“Our annual Symposium provides community psychiatrists across the State a unique opportunity to improve their leadership skills and to stay on top of recent changes in mental health care,” said Gilmore, director of the Network.
The program is a collaboration with North Carolina AHEC.