April 1, 2025
Throughout its 70+ year history, NJAMHAA has continually expanded and strengthened its relationships with clinical and recovery experts from throughout New Jersey and the nation, as well as state and national policymakers, advocates and other behavioral health stakeholders. This extensive network has enabled NJAMHAA to develop conference programs with a variety of presentations on important, timely topics.
Day 1 Highlights:
- Keynote: Addiction, Neurobiology and the Opioid Epidemic, Petros Levounis, MD, MA, Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry; Associate Dean, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
- Plenary: 100 Days in: Behavioral Health Integration through Medicaid Managed Care: Ann Basil, LCSW, Director of Behavioral Health Services, WellPoint; Michael D’Amico, MSW, LCSW. Vice President, Oaks Integrated Care; Stephanie Mulfinger, LCSW, FHELA, Behavioral Health Director, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of New Jersey; Steve Tunney, MSN, RN, Assistant Director, New Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services
- Courage and Compassion Awards Reception and Ceremony - Honorees are listed below:
Champions from across the Nation and State
• Congressional Leadership Award: United States Senator Andy Kim (D)
• State Legislative Champion Award: Aura K. Dunn, Assemblywoman (R-25th District)
• State Leadership Award: Renee Burawski, LCSW, Assistant Commissioner, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services
• Extraordinary Leadership in Mental Health Award: Dr. Gary Small, Professor and Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine
• Inspirational Leadership in Recovery Award: Allen Collins, Owner/CEO of Hollow Labs/Underground Nutrition
• Leadership in Health Technology Innovation Award: Jennifer D' Angelo, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, Healthcare Division, New Jersey Innovation Institute
• Lifetime Achievement Award: Deborah Spitalnik, PhD, Founder and former Executive Director, The Boggs Center on Disability and Human Development at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
• Truth in Media Award: Bobby Brier, Health News Reporter, NJ Spotlight News
NJAMHAA’s Own Champions of Courage and Compassion
- Champion of Clinical and Operational Excellence Award: Eman Warraich-Gibson, MBA, LCSW, LCADC, Chief Clinical Officer, Integrity House
- Outstanding Provider of the Year: Maryville Integrated Care
- Lifetime Achievement in Visionary Leadership Award: Kendria McWilliams, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Maryville Integrated Care
- Transformative Leadership for Co-occurring Disorders Treatment Award: Lisa Centeno, MA, LCADC, CCS, Senior Vice President, Integration and Access to Care, CarePlus NJ, Inc.
- Champion for Youth Mental Health Award: Kalisha Smith, LCSW, Clinical Director, Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide
- Inspiring Supporter of Parents and their Children Award: Pia Ababon, Parent Educator and Supervisor, Parents as Teachers, Youth Consultation Service
- Outstanding Leadership in Clinical Care and Research Award: Stephanie Marcello, PhD, Assistant Vice President, Academics, Integration and Innovation and Chief Psychologist, Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care
- Outstanding Leader for Suicide Prevention Award: Victoria Ferlauto, MA, LPC, ACS, Executive Director, Counseling Services, NewBridge Services, Inc.
- Outstanding Leadership in Innovation Award: Kristina Bloodgood, MSW, LCADC, Senior Director of Admissions, Men's Halfway House and Outpatient Services, New Hope Integrated Behavioral Health Care
- Leadership in Strengthening the Workforce and Youth Award: Liliana Perez-Johnson, MS, Training Supervisor, Coordinated Family Care
Attendance at the awards reception is included in day 1 conference registration.
Day 2 Highlights:
- Keynote: Precision Psychiatry: Advancing Prevention and Treatment - Jordan Smoller, MD, ScD, Professor of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School
- Plenary: Behavioral Health National Landscape: Today and on the Horizon - Chuck Ingoglia, MSW, President and CEO, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Click here for all program details and to register.
