Founders
Founders | Past Board Chairs | Video - You Can't NOT Do That
Founders Provided Visionary Leadership
mhca was founded in 1985, when 19 CEOs of community mental health centers met in Orlando, Florida, for the purpose of forming the Mental Health Corporations of America, Inc. (MHCA). These individuals dared to dream big, and they believed that together they could provide an entrepreneurial environment that would foster delivery of innovative, effective and efficient behavioral healthcare services. The work that was being done at the time was good. A long line of devoted and talented people had provided compassionate care to mentally ill clients for years. But mhca's Founders thought they could do better. The national political and economic conditions were ripe for change. The earliest leaders of mhca invested their time, applied their abilities and devoted their very careers to elevating behavioral healthcare to its highest potential. We are indebted to their leadership, aware of their legacy and grateful for the path they paved so that communities across the country could access the best possible care for those who deserve no less.
From our original 19 members, mhca has grown to a membership of 150-160 and continues to expand, always by invitation to ensure that the most progressive companies are included in our membership.
David E. Dangerfield DSW Valley Mental Health Salt Lake City, Utah |
Morris L. Eaddy PhD Lakeview Center * Pensacola, Florida |
Ronald P. Kirkland Apalachee Center Tallahassee, Florida |
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John F. McCarthy Center for Life Management Derry, New Hampshire |
Ron Meserve David Lawrence MHC * Naples, Florida |
Larry Nikkel Prairie View Newton, Kansas |
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Bob Quam Human Resources Center Daytona Beach, Florida |
Philip J. Spottswood PhD MDiv Mental Health Resource Center Jacksonville, Florida |
Douglas L. Starr PhD ** North Central Florida CMHC * Gainesville, Florida |
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Randy C. Stith PhD Aurora Community MH * Aurora, Colorado |
John Van Camp Southwest Detroit CMHC Detroit, Michigan |
Charles J. Vorwaller MSW ** Pikes Peak CMHC * Pikes Peak, Colorado |
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Jeanne H. Wurmser PhD ** Children's Psychiatric Center * Eatontown, New Jersey |
Not Pictured
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John Flor ** DeDe Wallace Center * Nashville, Tennessee
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Dick Hruska ** Golden Triangle CMHC * Great Falls, Montana
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Ed Lakeman Mobile Mental Health Center * Mobile, Alabama
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Robert Lehman Lower Naugatuck Valley CMHC Ansonia, Connecticut
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Dale Peterson Weld CMHC Greeley, Colorado
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James Small South Community CMHC Dayton, Ohio
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* = Organization or Successor Organization still an Active Member
** = In Memoriam