Oregon has the 9th highest suicide death rate in the country, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the need for mental and behavioral health services. Innovative behavioral health work is continually unfolding to aid those who are struggling. May is mental health awareness month, and these panelists will discuss their plans to strengthen the behavioral health system.
Date: Wednesday, May 26th, 2021
Time: 1:30 – 2:30pm PDT
Panelists:
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- Mike Franz, MD: Medical Director, Behavioral Health, PacificSource
- Maree Wacker, MPP: Chief Executive Officer, DePaul Treatment Centers
- Paul Giger, MD: Medical Director, Behavioral Health, Providence Health Plan
Mike Franz is the Medical Director of Behavioral Health at PacificSource where he oversees Medicaid, Commercial and Medicare lines across four states. He also works as a clinician providing psychiatric direct care and consultation to pediatric clinics, and is co-owner and consultant for Cartesian Solutions LLC. Dr. Franz is past president of the Oregon Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and continues as an active member of its Executive Council.
Maree Wacker is the Chief Executive Officer of De Paul Treatment Centers and joined the organization in 2014. In her capacity as CEO, she leads 150 employees across three locations who provide substance abuse addiction mental health treatment services to over 2,000 adults, youth, and their families. She is a recognized leader with over 25 years of experience in non-profit management.
Paul Giger is the Regional Medical Director of behavioral health at Providence Health Plans. In 2010, Dr. Giger became the assistant medical director for Consult-Liaison at Providence St. Vincent, and later took over medical director responsibilities for the inpatient psychiatry unit. He attended the University of Arizona medical school and completed residencies in both internal medicine and psychiatry, and has over 24 years of experience in the medical field.
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