The Acenda Institute of Health Innovation (AIHI) invites you to join us for our upcoming roundtable discussion! We are bringing together national leaders in behavioral health to provide updates and insights on critical issues such as evidence-based & promising practices, policy & advocacy, and payment models.

Our esteemed group of panelists includes:

• Patrick J. Kennedy, Former U.S. Representative (D-RI) and Founder of The Kennedy Forum
• Amy Kennedy, Education Director of The Kennedy Forum
• Chuck Ingoglia, MSW, President and CEO, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
• Suzanne Kunis, Vice President, Behavioral Health, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ
• Tom Coderre, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, SAMHSA

Moderator:

• James Curtin, MBA, LCADC, Chief Business and Government Relations Officer, Acenda Integrated Health

Watch the webinar here!

About the panelists:

Patrick J. Kennedy

During his time in Congress, Patrick J. Kennedy was the lead author of the landmark Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (Federal Parity Law), which requires insurers to cover treatment for mental health and substance use disorders no more restrictively than treatment for illnesses of the body, such as diabetes and cancer. In 2013, he founded The Kennedy Forum, a nonprofit that unites advocates, business leaders, and government agencies to advance evidence-based practices, policies, and programming in mental health and addiction. In 2015, Kennedy co-authored the New York Times Bestseller, “A Common Struggle: A Personal Journey Through the Past and Future of Mental Illness and Addiction,” which details a bold plan for the future of mental health care in America. In 2017, he was appointed to the President’s Commission on Combating Drug Addiction and the Opioid Crisis.

Amy Kennedy

Amy is the Education Director of The Kennedy Forum where she pursues partnerships and collaborations that emphasize evidence-based research and programming to facilitate policy change in the areas of education and mental health. Last year, Amy ran for Congress in New Jersey’s 2nd congressional district.z With over 15 years of experience working in public schools, Amy has seen first-hand how a child’s mental health and mental health literacy impacts their ability to learn and grow—not only in the classroom, but in life. Amy serves on the boards of Mental Health America, a leading national advocacy organization, and Parity.org, which promotes gender parity at the highest levels of business. She is an advisory board member of Interaxon, a mental health technology company; the JED Foundation which focuses on mental wellness and emotional preparedness for teens; and Brain Futures. Amy and her husband, former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy, live in New Jersey with their five children.

Chuck Ingoglia, MSW

Chuck Ingoglia is the president and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing where he leads the national charge to ensure people have access to quality, affordable mental health and addiction services. To accomplish this, he harnesses the voices and support of the more than 3,000 National Council members who serve over 10 million individuals nationwide. Chuck previously lead the organization’s policy and practice improvement work, directing the organization’s federal and state policy efforts and overseeing trainings and programs offered to more than 500,000 behavioral health professionals across the U.S. He has effected change at both the national and state level by playing a major role in policy advocacy and analyses issues relevant to behavioral health. Chuck holds a Master of Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, both from The Catholic University of America.

Suzanne Kunis

Suzanne Kunis is Vice President of Behavioral Health Solutions for Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey. She brings over 30 years of experience in the health care industry with a significant focus on behavioral health. Suzanne is a registered nurse and moved from care delivery to health care management early in her career.

Tom Coderre

Tom Coderre is the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use. With decades of public, private, and non-profit service, Tom is the first person in recovery to lead the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). His career has been significantly influenced by his personal journey and a philosophy that acknowledges the essential role peer recovery support services play in helping people with mental and substance use disorders rebuild their lives. Coderre is a career civil servant who is on detail from his position as SAMHSA’s Regional Administrator for New England.