As mental health needs continue to grow across Texas, no single organization can meet them alone. This panel brings together hospital, community and state leaders to explore how cross-sector collaboration can close gaps in care and improve outcomes for mental health patients. Attendees will hear actionable approaches for building partnerships that strengthen the continuum of care for patients navigating mental health crises.
Registration Pricing
Member: $75
Non-Member: $125
Registration includes unlimited connections per registered facility.
Access to the on-demand webinar will be provided in the purchase confirmation email.
Who should attend:
This session is designed for hospital executives, behavioral health leaders, emergency department leaders, care coordination professionals, and community partnership leaders who are working to improve access to mental health services. It is also valuable for CEOs, C-suite executives, population health leaders, and policymakers seeking to better understand how collaboration among hospitals, Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHAs), and community organizations can strengthen care delivery and improve patient outcomes.
Continuing Education
American College of Healthcare Executives
By watching the Community Collaboration: Hospitals and Local Mental Health Authorities Webinar offered by Texas Hospital Association participants may earn 1.0 ACHE Qualifying Education Hours toward initial certification or recertification of the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) designation.
Learning Objectives:
- Examine the roles of hospitals, Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHAs), community organizations, and state partners in addressing behavioral health needs across Texas.
- Identify strategies for building effective cross-sector partnerships that improve care coordination and strengthen the behavioral health continuum of care.
- Explore collaborative approaches to reducing gaps in mental health services and improving outcomes for patients experiencing behavioral health crises.
Faculty
Marie Alvarez, Division President, Acadia Healthcare
As Division President, Marie Alvarez oversees operations oversight for 8 Acadia Healthcare hospitals that provide inpatient and outpatient psychiatric care and residential treatment, ECT services, and specialty programs for Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and First Responders. Marie’s facilities include four in Texas—Rio Vista Behavioral Health, in her hometown of El Paso, Red River Hospital, in Wichita Falls, Cedar Crest, in Belton, and Cross Creek, in Austin. Ms. Alvarez is very proud of her facilities, which have won top awards from Acadia Healthcare for patient safety and care, employee engagement, nursing leadership, and solid outcome measures. Marie’s dual operations and clinical experience allows her to keep a strong focus on operations while always ensuring patient care and safety remain top priorities.
Previously, Alvarez was the CEO of Rio Vista Behavioral Health Hospital, Senior Divisional Director of Admissions, Director of Admissions and Utilization Review, and a Clinician. Her 25+ years of experience in the Behavioral Health and Chemical Dependency field have played a key role in her desire to continue learning to spread her knowledge and experience to future leaders. Alvarez is an active member of her community. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, Southwest Healthcare Executives Association, El Paso Behavioral Health Consortium, Texas Association of Behavioral Health, a Graduate of The Texas Hospital Association Leadership Fellowship Program, and serves on the Texas Hospital Association’s Behavioral Health Council and Board of Trustees. Alvarez is married with three children and five grandchildren. She is proud to say that her roots are deep in El Paso, Texas.
Lee Johnson, CEO, Texas Council of Community Centers
Lee Johnson became Chief Executive Officer of Texas Council of Community Centers in 2022, having previously served for 14 years as Deputy Director, advising on legislative strategy, appropriations issues, strategic communications and policy implementation. Prior to joining the Texas Council, he served as Legislative Director for a State Representative and, in the private sector, managed the Urban and Land Use Planning efforts of a commercial development firm in Austin, Texas, engaging county and city officials across the state. Mr. Johnson holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Texas State University.
Erika Ramirez Wright, Senior Director Healthcare Policy, Texas Hospital Association, Austin
Erika Ramirez-Wright serves as the senior director of health care policy, where she supports policy issues relating to behavioral health, maternal health, abortion, children’s health, Medicaid eligibility and emergency services, in addition to emerging public health topics. Prior to working at THA, Erika spent time as the policy director for the Texas Women’s Health Coalition. She has also held various roles for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, mostly tied to Medicaid eligibility policy. Being from Corpus Christi, she is always repping home with her Selena cup. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and her master’s degree in public administration from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Mike Taylor, MS, Deputy CEO / Chief Operating Officer, Tropical Texas Behavioral Health
Mike Taylor serves as the Deputy CEO and Chief Operating Officer for Tropical Texas Behavioral Health. With a master’s degree in biomedical informatics from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center Houston, Mike has dedicated over 39 years to the behavioral health field. His experience spans both urban and rural areas across Texas, encompassing roles from direct care to executive leadership.
Throughout his career, Mike has been a champion of community partnership, innovation, and data-driven decision-making to enhance the lives of those facing behavioral health challenges with a particular interest in crisis intervention. He is the Immediate Past Chair of the South Texas Chapter of the American Red Cross and continues to volunteer in crisis response efforts.
Mike’s commitment to innovation and quality improvement is evident in his leadership of numerous community collaborations aimed at ensuring continuity of care, improving crisis response systems, expanding service capacities, optimizing the workforce, and implementing multiple software solutions. His accomplishments also include the expansion of telehealth systems, the design and relocation of data centers, and a multitude of process improvement projects at both local and state levels.