NJAMHAA 75th Anniversary

46 75 th Anniversary NJAMHAA launched its member awards program in 1996 as part of the annual conferences, creating a forum to recognize leaders and frontline providers for the essential work they perform each day. The program was named the Courage & Compassion awards in 2006 to align with that year’s advocacy campaign theme. The annual events also recognize state and federal leaders, media representatives and other individuals who have contributed to the behavioral healthcare system. “The Courage & Compassion awards reception is a special highlight of every Spring Conference. I always feel tremendously inspired by the amazing work our members and others do and this is a wonderful occasion to give accolades that make people feel valued and appreciated,” Dr. Wentz said. A few years later, in 2011, the IT Project launched the IT Hero Awards — now known as the Excellence in Technology Awards — to celebrate the people who keep operations running smoothly and help improve both business and clinical services. As Steve Hirsch, LSW, MSW, MBA, Vice President of IT, Human Resources and Administrative Services, shared, “This is a great opportunity to recognize individuals who are behind the scenes, doing critical work that provider organizations rely on to deliver services most efficiently and effectively.” Also in 1998, A Beautiful Mind , a book about Dr. John Nash, Jr.’s struggles with schizophrenia and his professional achievements despite having this illness, was published. Before the movie of the same name was released in 2001, NJAMHAA honored Dr. Nash and his wife Alicia for their efforts to eliminate stigma during a conference held in Atlantic City. “We offered a car service and much to my surprise, they asked me to drive them. I was nervous and I didn’t know what I would talk about during the long ride with a Nobel Prize winner,” Dr. Wentz recalled. “They were so down to earth, the quintessential family who dealt with mental illness and were very committed to using their story to fight stigma and discrimination. There was an instant affinity with them and we became and remained close friends, almost like family, until their tragic deaths.” “Because the Nash’s lent their life story and we see the world from the eyes of someone with schizophrenia, A Beautiful Mind humanized people with the disease and destigmatized mental illness more than any other film or effort,” Dr. Wentz added. “Alicia and John fought alongside us and on their own for the system in which their son participated. They used their visibility to help gain funding to help everyone.” High Profile Presenters (continued)