31 May 2005

Governor Sebelius appoints five to Mental Health Planning Council

Governor Kathleen Sebelius announced five appointments to the Mental Health Planning Council. Cherie Bledsoe and Walter Hill were appointed to fulfill four-year terms. Valerie Ann Merrow, Denise Baynham and Karen Ford Manza were appointed as ex-officio members, who will serve at the pleasure of the Governor.

This council advises the Governor on mental health service issues for adults, adolescents and children.

“Many of our state’s most vulnerable citizens depend on this council to ensure access to excellent mental health services. I will rely on these individuals as we continue to work to improve state support for those with mental illnesses,” Governor Sebelius said.

Bledsoe, Kansas City, works with various organizations in Wyandotte County to promote awareness and services for mental illness and recovery. Currently, she is the executive director of S.I.D.E., Inc., consumer affairs and development specialist for the Wyandot Center for Community Behavioral Health Care and president of the Kansas consumer Advisory Council for Adult Mental Health Services. Bledsoe is a member, mentor and facilitator with The Leadership Academy of The Consumer Advisory Council for Adult Mental Health Services, Inc.

Hill, Ellis, is the executive director of the High Plains Mental Health Center in Hays. A licensed master level psychologist and clinical psychotherapist, Hill has over 26 years of experience working with patients with mental illness. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Western State College of Colorado, Hill received his master’s degree in clinical psychology from Fort Hays State University.

Merrow, Topeka, is the public service executive I and CARE senior manager for the Kansas Department of Aging. She has worked with the Department of Aging in various capacities since 1997. Merrow has also served on the Governor’s Health and Human Services Service Development Team and Mental Health Aging Subcommittee. She has also been a member of the Traumatic Brain Injury Council, the Suicide Prevention Council, and the Kansas Mental Health and Aging Coalition.

Baynham, Kansas City, is a wellness and support advocate for the Wyandot Center for Community Behavioral Health Care. She is a bookkeeper for S.I.D.E., Inc. and is a mentor for the Leadership Academy. She also works as a WRAP Educator and has presented at local, state and national conferences, workshops and trainings.

Manza, Lawrence, is the executive director for NAMI Kansas in Topeka, since 2003. In this role, she strategizes with statewide board of directors on NAMI’s programming and policy objectives to improve the quality of life for individuals with mental illness and their families. Prior to 2003, she was a consultant to the dean and director of operations for the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, program coordinator for The Poetry Center of Chicago, and regional director of managed care for US Oncology in Houston, Texas. Between 1994 and 1998, she was network manager and financial analyst for Health Partners Health Plans.