Eddie Lamon grew up in Oklahoma and Northern California. She became active in school and community affairs as a young mother living in South Central Los Angeles in the 1950s. When she realized the need for mental health services in the community, she became a vocal and determined advocate, serving first on the Regional Citizen’s […]
Rose King is a Sacramento-based political and policy consultant, and a family member of several individuals with serious mental illness. After entering politics in 1968 by joining a campaign to recall Governor Ronald Reagan, King has worked for some of California’s most prominent politicians, including Bill Lockyer, Leo McCarthy, and Nancy Pelosi. As McCarthy’s Chief […]
Susan Mandel earned her doctorate in psychology from the University of Cincinnati in 1968. She worked as a staff psychologist at Alameda County Hospital prior to becoming Director of Mental Health for the County in 1975. In 1980, she became CEO of Pasadena Child Guidance Clinics, which became Pacific Clinics in 1987, and oversaw its […]
Mrs. Stella March was an early founder and organizer of NAMI in California. She graduated from Hunter College, worked with the Red Cross in the Pacific in World War II, organizing shows for the troops, and as an advertising and radio copywriter in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. Her son’s illness sparked her involvement […]
Bruce Saltzer received his law degree from USC and an MBA from the Claremont Graduate School. He began his career in Legal Aid and worked as an advocate for the developmentally disabled. In 1991, he was appointed Executive Director of the Association of Community Mental Health Agencies, and continued in this position when the organization […]
Yadira Ramirez-Flores is one of the Spanish-speaking psychiatric social workers at Edelman Mental Health Center. Transcript
Mark Ragins grew up in Southern California. He graduated from the California Institute of Technology and received his MD from Washington University in St. Louis. After completing his residency in psychiatry at LA County-USC Hospital, he worked for several years in LAC-DMH public mental health clinics and at UCLA-Harbor General Hospital. In 1990, he became […]
Roberto Quiroz was Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health 1984-91. He earned his MSW from Columbia University and worked in New York in family therapy and at the NASW headquarters. In 1972, he was appointed assistant director of a new community mental health center in Pueblo, Colorado, and subsequently served as […]
Andrew Posner learned about mental illness through his own struggles, moved himself out of a board-and-care home to live in the community, and worked at a series of jobs to pay for his own treatment. He became Executive Director of BACUP, Benefits Assistance Clients Urban Projects in 1986. This self-help group assists mental health clients […]
Keris Jän Myrick earned a Master in Business Administration at Case Western Reserve University, a Master in Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Master of Science in Organizational Psychology. She is currently completing her Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. After working as a college admissions counselor for many years, she became involved with NAMI, sitting […]