About Forge Health Services

Robert Pyles, MD, DLFAPA (USN Veteran)

Dr. Pyles comes to Forge Health with more than 55 years of addiction, mental health, and leadership experience. An established leader in the addiction and mental health fields, Dr. Pyles has served as President of the American Psychoanalytic Association, the Massachusetts Psychiatric Society, and the Coalition for Patient Rights, among other organizations.

Dr. Pyles has shown a relentless commitment to setting the highest standards of care and was appointed an Area and Component Liaison by the American Psychiatric Association, producing ten Practice Guidelines, including the “Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Substance Use Disorders.”

Additionally, Dr. Pyles, a recognized pioneer and leader in the field of psychiatry, has received many awards and recognitions, including a Special Presidential Commendation from the American Psychiatric Association in 1997 “in recognition of superb invigorating leadership of the psychoanalytic community, dedication to a truly multi-faceted, comprehensive psychiatry and courage in public advocacy” and the honor of “Distinguished Life Fellow” of the American Psychiatric Association.

A United States Navy Veteran himself, Dr. Pyles’ pioneering work with the Veteran population, combined with his expertise on trauma, PTSD and other comorbid conditions, makes Dr. Pyles the perfect candidate to develop Forge’s high quality population-specific addiction and mental health programming designed to best serve certain populations and achieve successful, long-term recovery.

John Rodolico, MD (LTC, US Army, National Guard)

John Rodolico, PhD, currently serves as Chief Clinical Officer of Forge Health. Prior to joining Forge, Dr. Rodolico served as the Chief of Behavioral Health in the Massachusetts National Guard, Medical Command where he spearheaded many projects dealing with suicide, substance abuse, and resiliency, while also serving as the Director of Training, at the Co-Occurring Institute and Director of the Military Consultation Service at McLean Hospital.

Over his extensive military career, Dr. Rodolico has been consistently involved in treating soldiers for combat stress injuries, training medical personnel in behavioral health, and a constant advocate for resiliency and suicide prevention.

As an officer in the United States Army Reserve, he served as the Executive Officer of a combat stress company deployed to Iraq in 2003 and 2006. During that time, in his operational role he helped redesign the delivery of mental health care to Soldiers and Marines in the Sunni Triangle of Iraq while maintaining mission completion throughout the region.

Further, Dr. Rodolico is committed to using evidence-based treatments to help people with substance use disorders across the lifespan and his experience working in addictions spans over 30 years. His main area of research is motivational psychology and evidence-based treatments for co-occurring disorders. Dr. Rodolico also has an extensive teaching history over the past two decades, supervising clinical psychology interns, post-doctoral fellows, and addiction psychiatry fellows. He has given numerous presentations, group consultations, and trainings on substance use disorders, motivational interviewing, and suicide prevention with military personnel.Dr. Rodolico also currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

Sheena Bice, LCMHC, MLADC, CCTP, CSOTS (Marine Veteran)

Sheena Bice, LCMHC, MLADC, CCTP, CSOTS holds a Master’s degree in Mental Health counseling from New England college. Sheena has worked in community mental health, private practice and within the corrections system. While working within the corrections system she provided mental health and addiction treatment to female offenders.

As the Vice President of Clinical Operations Sheena focuses on developing programming and ensuring compliance across all of our programs. Sheena is a Veteran of the United States Marine Corps and is a proud Military spouse.

Lee Hindin, MD, DLFAPA

Dr. Hindin has over 35 years of addiction, mental health, and leadership experience and is a licensed psychiatrist with board certifications in Addiction Medicine by the American Board of Addiction Medicine, as well as board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology. He previously served on the Medical Advisory Committee at Cigna-Qualcare, as well as Medical Director, Department of Psychiatry at St. Barnabas Medical Center. Dr. Hindin is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (APA).

He treats people with a wide variety of mental health issues as well as substance use disorders and was among the first physicians in New Jersey to become certified under DATA 2000 (Drug Addiction Treatment Act of the year 2000) to provide Medication Assisted Treatment (“MAT”). Dr. Hindin informs and supervises Forge Health’s behavioral health treatment practices, and has been doing so since 2018.

Candice Alizio, MA, LMFT

Having the ability to work with the Veteran and First Responder (VFR) community is an honor and privilege. Our clients move me to fight for them, just like they have fought and/or continue to fight for our communities. Providing a safe space to support and heal, mentally and emotionally, is the driving force that gets me to work every day.

It takes real courage to ask for help, but when you do, it can change your life. Our amazing team at Forge VFR are real people, real people who show up each and every day because they care, truly care, and want to hold a space for you to move through the difficult times. Our team will help you learn how to recreate joy and amplify the happiness in your life.

The first call is the hardest part. But we’re here to take it.

I have been in the mental health field for over a decade and one of the most important things I’ve learned is that people can change their life in meaningful ways. I’ve learned how change happens. Change requires a willingness. A willingness to take a long hard look at yourself and the systems around you, and it requires consistency with your change practices. When you bring a willingness and a consistency together, not perfection, that is the key to change.

Good clinicians are born, not made. It’s a calling, and for me it started at a very young age. Ever since I was young I made it my mission to learn how I can best help other people overcome life’s biggest hurdles. I’ve held a few positions over the course of my career and have found my niche at Forge VFR. Helping those who have dedicated their lives to helping others, those are my people.

I look forward to having you meet my amazing team and me, and we look forward to forging a new path forward, together.

Brian Kephart, LCSW

Being part of something bigger and more meaningful than myself is what I always wanted in a profession, and I have found that at Forge. At Forge we treat our clients with respect and challenge them and their beliefs to deliver the best results. We pride ourselves on being a clinical family who cares about every person who walks through our doors – as if they were our own family.

We give our clients the best opportunity at recovering because we create a space that is safe. By creating a safe space we allow our clients to feel vulnerable and share their stories with us and the community we have built.

I have been in the Mental Health field for over 20 years and over the last 20 years I’ve been committed to helping my clients succeed. Success is defined differently for everyone, and for me, success is defined by providing care that is built on the foundation of trust and commitment, because without that there can be no progress.

As the Executive Director, Western Pennsylvania, I am committed to building a team and a program that is welcoming, inclusive, accessible, and effective. Our team is composed of medical professionals, and masters level clinicians. It is an honor to share in an individual’s journey toward better health. I look forward to having you meet my team and me, and we look forward to forging a new path forward, together.

Claudia Ragni, CASAC

As a member of the team that created the IOP model of care, Claudia Ragni has been a prominent leader in the field of substance use disorder since 1983. She is the Founder and Executive Director of The Kenneth Peters Center for Recovery, Long Island’s premier program for the treatment of chemical dependency.

Honored as “Agency of the Year” by Employee Assistance Professionals Association, KPC has consistently been ahead of the curve in providing the highest quality patient centered care available on Long Island.

Claudia serves on the boards of several grassroots community coalitions and is an active fundraiser for charities that serve the addicted population and their families.  She has also served as President of EAPA, is one of the founders of Long Island Recovery Association, heads the Leadership Council for Long Island Council on Alcoholism and other Drug Dependencies where she has been a volunteer for over 45 years. She has been on multiple task forces addressing various issues in the community.

As a political advocate, she has been personally involved in the passage of over two dozen laws to enhance insurance coverage, increase access to care and reduce impact of utilization review.  These include the first insurance mandate to cover alcoholism treatment passed in 1986, mandated coverage for family services, predatory marketing law, elimination of precertification along with a bundle of 14 laws addressing the opioid crisis.

Claudia has been the recipient of numerous awards and proclamations including NYPD for her work following 9/11 at Ground Zero, The Humanitarian Award by LICADD in 2004 and 2018,  Community Leadership by Caron Foundation and Person of the Year by Long Island Recovery Association. Claudia has been given proclamations by Hillary Clinton, George Pataki, Carolyn McCarthy, Charles Schumer, Laura Curran for her work in the field.

Claudia speaks nationally on a variety of topics and teaches the post-masters addiction curriculum at Adelphi University.

Michael McCann, LCSW

Being with people and helping people gets me excited to come to work every day. Every day that I get to go to work provides me an opportunity to help someone reimagine what is possible and help them create a life they’ve always dreamed of. Being able to be a part of our client’s journey by inspiring them, and being inspired by them, gets me up in the morning and excited for a new day of “work.”

I have been working in the behavioral health field, helping people change their lives in meaningful ways for over 15 years. Over the course of my career I have had the opportunity and privilege to meet thousands of people and deeply understand who they are and how we can make positive changes in their life, to help them overcome whatever obstacles may be in their way. What I’ve learned from all of my clients and my friends is that the meaning of life is truly unique to each person. We can view each day as an endless grind, or we can see each day as an opportunity to experience something new, help a loved one, take better care of ourselves, learn something interesting, and so on. This learning has carried me through difficult times, and as people connect to their values and what’s important to them, they find their meaning, and go out to conquer the world.

The beauty of being human is that we can grow and change. I felt a calling a long time ago to be someone who helped people, and as a therapist, I have developed a toolbox of coping skills and techniques that can help so many people. I love nothing more than seeing how each person uniquely uses the skills they learn with me to build a life that sparks joy and brings them fulfillment.

My team and I are excited to meet you, and we’re ready to work with you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us, we’re here to help you forge a new path forward, together.

Janet Bamgbade, LCSW, MBA

Janet Bamgbade has tremendous experience in both individual and group counseling. A graduate of Fitchburg State University with Masters of Business Administration and Columbia University with a Masters in Social Work and minor in Law, Janet has worked with an array of individuals and families within the community. From advocating for aging older adults, greater social and economic justice, to utilizing evidence-based approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, mindfulness practices, and family sculpting, to provide services to those battling mental health, trauma, substance abuse, addiction and grieving.

Janet has experience in providing group and individual counseling in both outpatient and inpatient treatment settings. She is also skilled in problem solving, conflict resolution, building client rapport, and supporting colleagues, and team collaboration. She’s exceptional at presenting and implementing solutions towards clients’ needs. She lives by the motto: “Define yourself, as opposed to being defined by others.”

Janet aspires to incorporate a holistic approach, of mind, body, and spirit, into all of her sessions.

Eric Frieman

Why did you start Forge Health?

We started Forge Health because we wanted to make sure no one else had to go through what we went through. We decided we wanted to reduce as many friction points to accessing treatment as possible which is why making Forge affordable and accessible to all wasn’t a nice-to-have. It was a must-have. Forge Health is committed to being in-network with all insurance plans in the areas in which we do business while always providing high quality evidence based care.

Simply put, we started Forge Health because we wanted to transform people’s lives in a meaningful way while also transforming behavioral healthcare.

How have your previous experiences set you up for success in your role?

Prior to starting Forge Health, I served as Director of Finance for Elements Behavioral Health, Inc., one of the largest providers of substance abuse treatment and behavioral health services with 18 residential facilities, 29 outpatient locations, and approximately 2,000 employees across the United States. During my time at Elements I learned the stark reality that individuals and families cannot access affordable and effective outpatient addiction treatment, which led me to start Forge Health – a company dedicated to transforming people’s lives in exchange for a willingness to trust, commit, and reimagine what’s possible.

My commitment to learning how psychology and business intersect was a driving force for wanting to get involved in the behavioral health space. I graduated with honors from Vanderbilt University with a double major in Economics and Psychology and was a member for the Vanderbilt University Football Team where I was awarded to the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Eric Golnick (USN Veteran)

Why did you start Forge Health?
I was commissioned as a Naval Officer in the Summer of 2009. My experience in the United States Navy was something I will cherish for the rest of my life. Although I made incredible friends, had meaningful experiences, and enjoyed my service. It wasn’t all glamorous.

A sailor of mine died by suicide right before my eyes, I was helpless in that moment.

I helped plan and conduct emergency disaster relief operations during the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.I will spare you the details on this one, but it was not pretty.

After my service, I felt fulfilled yet I felt empty at the same time. The hundreds of people I was with every day were no longer with me every day. The camaraderie and the jokes we made regularly were no longer happening. I found myself in a pit of despair and began drinking to intoxication, almost every day, and questioned what I was doing here on this earth.

I knew I needed help, so I went looking… there was nothing. No one knew how to treat me, a Veteran, a proud American who loves his country. After years of searching for the right kind of help I finally found it. I was diagnosed with PTSD and Alcoholism. A few years later, I got clean and sober, I got married, I recreated my life, and I started Forge Health.

My story is not unique. I started this company because I never wanted another person – Veteran, First Responder, Military member, or a civilian – to ever have to experience the challenges I faced in finding good quality care that was affordable and effective.

How have your previous experiences set you up for success in your role?
After finishing my time in the Navy, I returned to Florida and obtained a Master’s degree in Public and International Administration at the University of Miami. While obtaining this degree, I simultaneously took a position as a senior foreign policy analyst at the Department of Defense dealing with U.S. military operations in Latin America. I was fortunate to have worked directly with the President’s National Security Council, the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the U.S. Congress on many topics regarding U.S. foreign policy.

Between my education, military service, and public service I’ve gained strong leadership skills to lead a team of passionate and mission driven individuals and know what it takes to make positive and meaningful change in communities, especially for Veterans, Military members, First Responders, and their families.

Commitment to service, to country, and to our citizen’s is what I do best, and I couldn’t imagine a better place to bring my skills and passions to than Forge Health.

Michael Midgette

Why did you start Forge Health?

Mental health is the cornerstone of human wellbeing.  I have spent my career in every corner of healthcare, working to bring to market innovative technologies and services to patients living with a variety of diagnoses. Through it all, one truth remained consistent, a patient who has the care and the support they need to take charge of their mental health is far more prepared for any challenge that comes their way in both their healthcare journey and their broader life. The sad reality is that most patients who need mental and behavioral health care do not have access to it, and those that do are too often receiving a substandard level of care.

I joined Forge Health to work alongside payer and provider organizations to do everything we possibly can to ensure that the people we have the privilege to serve receive the highest standard of care, one that every person deserves.

How have your previous experiences set you up for success in your role?

Over the last fifteen years, I have had the privilege of working alongside industry leaders to define a new model of care where patient centricity and clinical quality are woven into the fabric of every aspect. For too long, patients have suffered the collateral damage of a system that has prioritized volume over outcomes, profits over patients. There are few areas of healthcare where the shift to a value-based system is farther behind than mental and behavioral health. Patients have suffered and this subpar standard must be improved.

I look forward to working alongside my Forge Health colleagues and payer and health system leaders to lead this shift towards value, an evolution with clinical and financial quality and accountability at the core.

Paul Belle Isle

Why did you join the Forge Health team?

Throughout my career, I’ve sought out opportunities to make a positive impact.  Whether that’s meant connecting individuals to the world around them, helping families secure their financial future, or ensuring that people get the best health care possible, it’s critical to me that whatever I do has a strong mission-driven component, and what Forge does matters.

I’ve been fortunate to have helped lead some truly unique initiatives – launching the first mobile internet product in the U.S.; building the country’s first branded telecom loyalty program; and bringing World War II veterans to Normandy for the 50^th Anniversary of D-Day – and I recognize something similarly special here at Forge.

How have your previous experiences set you up for success in your role?

After graduating from Cornell University with a BA in government, I worked on Capitol Hill, moved to the not-for-profit sector, and started my own consultancy business.  I later returned to Cornell to earn an MBA in Strategic Marketing, and have spent the years since building a strong practical marketing and leadership skill set at companies like Aetna, Fidelity Investments and Charter Communications, as well as several start-ups and not-for-profits.

I bring diverse perspectives from a variety of companies and industries, as well as experience transforming teams and organizations, and a drive to improve the world around me.  There is a mental health crisis in this country that we must address, and I’m incredibly excited to be part of a company that is changing the way people think about treatment by combating stigma and putting industry-leading resources and treatment within reach.

Chad Burkholder

Why did you join the Forge Health team?

I’m passionate about mental health – it’s that simple!  I recognize the impact that quality care has on communities, and I’ve seen firsthand the impact it can have on families.  I also recognize that significant barriers to care exist, whether it be the stigma often borne by people receiving treatment for behavioral health issues or the challenges in simply accessing care, I’ve dedicated myself to eliminating these obstacles.  Forge Health is the perfect place for me to leverage my skills and background to make behavioral healthcare both accessible and quality-driven.  The team at Forge Health is passionate and persistent about creating a truly differentiated experience for our clients and their families.  Those attributes were immediately clear when I met the team, and I knew I had found my home.

How have your previous experiences set you up for success in your role?

I have been leading large, enterprise operating teams for more than 25 years.  My areas of expertise range from customer experience strategy development, to operating process design, to performance management.  Bringing these critical operational elements together has enabled me to help teams drive performance and create seamless customer experiences.  My skill set balances service and administrative operations with the management of large behavioral health clinical teams.  That blend will help me design and implement effective care delivery processes and structures that best serve our clients.  My emphasis is always on driving performance through partnership, culture, and employee engagement.  In the end, the  experience our clients have will always directly reflect the morale and enthusiasm of our teammates, and I’m working to create an environment that empowers Forge Health employees to focus their attention on delivering industry-leading health care.

Benjamin Knafo

Why did you join the Forge Health team?
I joined Forge Health because I wanted to be part of something bigger than myself. I am the son of a Veteran. I am a family member to a recovering alcoholic. I am a friend to multiple people who have lost their lives to addiction. I wanted to have the ability to make an impact in this world and help change people’s lives in a meaningful way. I joined this team so that another person didn’t have to lose a friend or a loved one to addiction or suicide. I joined this team because I was inspired by my co-founders desire and commitment to make a difference in the behavioral health space. Forge is different, here to make a real difference.

How have your previous experiences set you up for success in your role?
I attended college at Baruch in New York City; however, I didn’t have the traditional college experience. While in college I held three jobs, working 50+ hours a week, while earning a degree in Finance. Life threw me some curveballs which led me to being an autonomous college student. During this challenging yet exciting time, I learned the meaning of hard work, I learned how to manage multiple priorities at the same time, and I pushed myself out of my comfort zone. I’ve had the opportunity to work for some of the biggest companies in the country including NBC Universal, Sony Pictures, and Victoria’s Secret. I’ve completed complex financial and statistical analyses that have helped these companies grow and expand, while always ensuring the customers’ needs were met. These diverse and unique experiences have led me to Forge Health. In my role at Forge, I am responsible for building systems, processes, and relationships that are designed to improve the organization’s ability to carry out it’s mission in delivering highly effective care to our clients.

Rachel Rodriguez

Why did you join the Forge Health team?
I joined Forge Health because it was an opportunity to be part of a team that has the capacity to change people’s lives for the better, and it has proven that to be true. As we are constantly growing and innovating, it is amazing to see the tangible, purposeful impact this team continues to make on our client’s lives. I am not unique in saying that I have lost a loved one to substance use or addiction. And that’s the problem – so many of us are intricately connected to these difficult battles and I wanted to join a team that is doing something about it. A team that is committed to making a difference, and I’ve found that in my community at Forge.

How have your previous experiences set you up for success in your role?
My professional career has not been traditional, nor has it been linear. After graduating from law school, I practiced for a few years down in Tennessee before I decided to move to New York and embark on a career pivot into the world of Talent Management. Though they are two entirely different paths, their mutual attention to detail, analytical approach, and identification of creative sources and solutions blend together in a way that’s been extremely fulfilling for me. In my role at Forge, I am fortunate to be able to combine my two worlds into a unique role as AVP of Talent Management and General Counsel. In doing so, I’m responsible for finding and managing the best talent out there and ensuring our framework is sound and equitable behind the scenes, both of which allows our team to provide the best possible care and experience for our clients.

Cynthia Fox

Why did you join the Forge Health team?

I joined Forge to help change the behavioral health system to one that is accessible, stigma-free, and produces excellent results. I was really moved by the leadership of Forge Health and their ability to think outside the box and try new, evidence-based practices to best support our clients, their family and friends, and the general community. I have seen firsthand the benefits of quality behavioral health and care coordination services. People are all different and I am proud to be a part of a company whose mission is to meet their patients’ unique needs.

How have your previous experiences set you up for success in your role?

My role with Forge Health, VP of Engagement and Experience, truly is a combination of all of my past experiences in my career. I am responsible for ensuring our patients and partners have easy access to quality care, referrals, and information. After I graduated with a Masters in Clinical Counseling, I moved to Australia where I worked for a non-profit that provided counseling, education and training, and other resources to support care givers. A few years later, I moved back to New York City where I helped to develop a care coordination program to provide clients access medical assistance, mental health resources, and substance use treatment. After starting a family, I settled in New Jersey and began a new role at an acute care hospital overseeing their business development and service excellence efforts. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to combine all the skills I developed throughout my career in my new role of VP of Engagement and Experience.

Elizabeth “Liz” Walker

Why did you join the Forge Health team?

I joined the team at Forge Health because I truly believe in its Vision and Mission. Forge Health is dedicated to meeting the behavioral needs of the general adult population as well as providing specialized services for Veterans and First Responders. I have always been impressed by Forge’s Leadership Team, their dedication, and their passion. I’m honored to represent all the populations we serve and am proud to be a part of such a passionate and dynamic team.

How have your previous experiences set you up for success in your role?

For more than 3 decades I have managed the business development for notable alcohol and drug treatment providers including national chains. Since my career began in 1985, I have dedicated my life to working with addicts and their families in helping to restore lives. Over the years, I have established solid relationships within the referral community and have built my career on my honesty and integrity.  I’m also passionate about Ethics in our industry and have coordinated numerous successful educational seminars. In addition, I have served on various committee boards including Employee Assistance Professional Association, National Council on Alcoholism, and I currently serve on the Board for the Connecticut Alliance of Recovery Residences. For the past 20 years, I have successfully managed the marketing/business development for an inpatient provider that specialized in treating First Responders. As the daughter of a life-long law enforcement professional and war veteran, I have always had a passion for helping the first responder communities who struggle with substance use disorders and I am proud to represent an institution that is committed to treating this population.  I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services from Springfield College, and I am a Certified Addictions Specialist. I continue to speak candidly and openly about Ethics in our industry and preserving the integrity of our profession. In 2018, I was the recipient of Caron Foundation’s Community Leadership Award.

Tim Wentworth

With more than 40 years of leadership and healthcare industry experience, Tim joined Forge Health as its Chairman of the Board in September 2022.  Mr. Wentworth previously served as CEO of Evernorth, Cigna’s $100B health services organization, where he brought together capabilities including care provision, pharmacy solutions, benefits management, and integrated data and analytics. Prior to Cigna, he was CEO of Express Scripts, the largest pharmacy benefit manager in the United States, and during his tenure, Express Scripts grew to become a Fortune 100 company with more than $100 billion in revenue, 26,000 employees, and ranked number 66 on Forbes magazine’s list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies.

Eric Frieman

Why did you start Forge Health?

We started Forge Health because we wanted to make sure no one else had to go through what we went through. We decided we wanted to reduce as many friction points to accessing treatment as possible which is why making Forge affordable and accessible to all wasn’t a nice-to-have. It was a must-have. Forge Health is committed to being in-network with all insurance plans in the areas in which we do business while always providing high quality evidence based care.

Simply put, we started Forge Health because we wanted to transform people’s lives in a meaningful way while also transforming behavioral healthcare.

How have your previous experiences set you up for success in your role?

Prior to starting Forge Health, I served as Director of Finance for Elements Behavioral Health, Inc., one of the largest providers of substance abuse treatment and behavioral health services with 18 residential facilities, 29 outpatient locations, and approximately 2,000 employees across the United States. During my time at Elements I learned the stark reality that individuals and families cannot access affordable and effective outpatient addiction treatment, which led me to start Forge Health – a company dedicated to transforming people’s lives in exchange for a willingness to trust, commit, and reimagine what’s possible.

My commitment to learning how psychology and business intersect was a driving force for wanting to get involved in the behavioral health space. I graduated with honors from Vanderbilt University with a double major in Economics and Psychology and was a member for the Vanderbilt University Football Team where I was awarded to the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll.

Jeffrey Geller, MD, MPH, DLFAPA

Jeffrey Geller, M.D., M.P.H. served as President of the American Psychiatric Association from 2020 to 2021.

Dr. Geller is Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS) and recently served as Medical Director of the Worcester Recovery Center and Hospital, a 290 bed public psychiatric hospital serving adults and adolescents. Prior to taking this position, Dr Geller spent 25 years as the Director of Public Sector Psychiatry at UMMS.

Dr. Geller is a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. Prior to assuming his position on the APA Board of Trustees as President-Elect, Dr. Geller spent 11 of the past 13 years on the Board as Area 1 Trustee or APA Vice President. Dr. Geller has served in the APA Assembly in various roles, including on the Assembly Executive Committee, for 18 of the past 25 years. He has been the Personal Accounts column editor for Psychiatric Services since the inception of this column in 1994. He has also as well been a Psychiatric Services last Book Review Editor. Dr. Geller has served on multiple components of the APA, most particularly those focusing on public sector psychiatry and global psychiatry.

Dr. Geller has served as a consultant to 26 states and a number of foreign countries. He is the author of over 125 referred journal articles and coauthor of the book, Women of the Asylum. In the Clinton health reform era, Dr, Geller served as a Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy fellow in the US Senate. Currently Dr. Geller serves on the SAMHSA National Advisory Council as well as on the boards of the American Association of Community Psychiatrists, Clubhouse International, Genesis Club, Treatment Advocacy Center and World Federation for Mental Health. He has been a leader, nationally and internationally, in making the provision of care and treatment to persons in the public sector with serious mental illness a respectable and respected specialization.

Dr. Geller is the recipient of numerous awards and honors.