Health System with 3 hospitals across 1 state
| Health System | Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities |
|---|---|
| Total Hospitals | 3 |
| Commercial/Acute Hospitals | 0 |
| Total Beds | 276 |
| Commercial/Acute Beds | 0 |
| Headquarters | Decatur, GA |
| Website | dbhdd.georgia.gov |
| Hospital | Type | Beds | Teaching | Recently Joined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Central Georgia Regional Hospital | Psychiatric | 40 | No | No |
| Georgia Regional Hospital Atlanta | Psychiatric | 124 | No | No |
| Georgia Regional Hospital at Savannah | Psychiatric | 112 | No | No |
Kevin Tanner is the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, appointed by Governor Brian Kemp. He has over three decades of public service experience. Prior to his current role, Tanner served as the County Manager of Forsyth County. He also represented House District 9 in the Georgia House of Representatives for four terms. During his time in the House, he sponsored the founding legislation for the Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission and was later appointed its Chair by Governor Kemp. This commission was instrumental in the creation of the Georgia Mental Health Parity Act (House Bill 1013). Earlier in his career, Tanner was the Dawson County Manager and spent nearly two decades at the Dawson Sheriff's Office, including 11 years as Chief Deputy/Undersheriff. He began his public service as a volunteer firefighter. Tanner is recognized for his work, having been named the Appointed Official of the Year by the Georgia Association of County Commissioners in 2011 and one of Georgia Trend Magazine's "40 Under 40" in 2007. He holds an undergraduate degree from North Georgia College and State University and a Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University.
distinguished legal professional with almost a decade-long tenure with DBHDD. Before becoming Assistant Commissioner, she served as Director of Legal Services. Graduate of the University of Michigan.
leads operations in the northern half of the state – DBHDD Regions 1, 2, and 3. previously served as the Director of Field Operations for the Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities Division at DBHDD.
leads operations in the southern half of the state – DBHDD Regions 4, 5, and 6. returns to DBHDD from the University of Georgia where she served as the Rural Health Agent. She previously served as a Regional Services Administrator at DBHDD.
Dr. Emile Risby is the Chief Medical Officer and Director of the Division of Hospital Services at the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). He became Chief Medical Officer in August 2011 and assumed the role of Director of Hospital Services in June 2013. Before joining DBHDD, he was the clinical director of Georgia Regional Hospital in Atlanta through a contract with Emory University from 2006 to 2011. With over 30 years of experience as a psychiatrist in the public sector, Dr. Risby is board certified in psychiatry and forensic psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He holds medical licenses in Georgia and Virginia. He is a retired Colonel from the U.S. Army Reserves, having served for 31 years. Dr. Risby holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Tennessee State University and a medical degree from Meharry Medical College. He completed his psychiatric residency at Emory University's School of Medicine and spent two years as a medical staff fellow at the National Institute of Mental Health. His past roles also include medical directorships at Grady Health System, Emory University, and DeKalb County. The Georgia Psychiatric Physicians Association named him Georgia's Psychiatrist of the Year in 2019.
Melissa Sperbeck is the Director of the Division of Strategy, Technology, and Performance at the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). She has served in various roles within the department for over fifteen years. Previously, she held the position of Deputy Chief of Staff at DBHDD. Melissa Sperbeck earned her master's degree in public health management from Emory University and her bachelor's in psychology from the University of Kentucky. In her role as Director, Division of Strategy, Technology, and Performance, she oversees several enterprise offices including Information Technology, Incident Management and Compliance, Investigations, Performance Analysis and Quality Improvement, Medicaid Coordination and Health System Innovation, Provider Relations, and the oversight of the Administrative Services Organization.
Charles Fetner served as the Regional Coordinator for Region 1 at the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). His office was based in Rome, Georgia. During his time as Regional Coordinator, he was involved in efforts to integrate behavioral health services within the state. His role is referenced in various documents and reports from the DBHDD and affiliated groups spanning from 2011 to 2015.
Doug Engle has served as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) since April 2013. Prior to this role, he was the CIO for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice for 15 years and worked in application development management at the Georgia Department of Corrections from 1990 to 1998. His responsibilities as CIO for DBHDD include managing staff who support telecommunications/network, data, voice, software development and maintenance, desktop/laptop support, business data reporting, and ensuring information technology security. He has extensive experience in both the private and public IT sectors. Engle earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with an emphasis in management from Kennesaw State University in 1998 and studied math and computer science at North Virginia Community College and the University of Virginia in the late 1970s.
Robert Dorr is the Director of the Division of Accountability and Compliance at the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD).
Jeff Minor serves as the Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer at the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). He has extensive experience in state government, with a combined 50 years of service in state government and mental health. Before his time at DBHDD, Minor was the Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), where he was responsible for the management and oversight of administrative functions, including Budget, Financial Services, Audits, Contracts, Federal Programs, Engineering, Human Resources, Training, and Technology Services. He has also been recognized for his advocacy in the recovery community.
Vickie Flynn is the Director of Incident Management and Investigations at the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). She is listed within the Division of Accountability and Compliance.
Anne' Akili is the Director of Policy Management at the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). She holds a Psy.D. Her work at the DBHDD includes overseeing policy and her name appears on official documents related to policy modifications and processes dating back to at least 2016.
Carol Zafiratos has held roles within the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). According to a 2019 organizational chart, she was listed in the Office of Investigative Services. A project status report indicates she was also in the Office of Certification and Services Integrity within the Division of Accountability and Compliance. Additionally, a 2013 Quality Management Plan mentions her in relation to the Training Department and the assessment and improvement of the Quality Management system.
Bill Cole serves in Contractor Compliance and Monitoring within the Division of Accountability and Compliance at the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). He has held this position since at least 2015. One source from 2016 indicates a "Mr. Col," possibly the same individual, has significant professional experience and holds degrees from Auburn University and the University of Georgia. This source notes his focus includes defense actions and product liability, as well as defense of entities, employment, and liability cases.
Terri Kight is associated with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), specifically within the Office of Certification and Services Integrity. According to a court case document from 2021, Kight was involved in the department's Office of Provider Certification and Services Integrity (OPCSI) in 2017, where she played a role in a recertification review and the termination of an employee.
Travis Fretwell is the Director of the Office of Behavioral Health Prevention at the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). Prior to this role, he served as the Assistant Executive Director & Director of the Office of Prevention Services and Programs. In recognition of his dedication to the treatment and welfare of individuals affected by alcohol and drug addiction in Georgia, he was awarded the inaugural Distinguished Service Award by the Georgia Addiction Counselors Association in 2011. He holds the credentials MAC, CACII, and CCS.
Based on the search results, Jose Lopez is associated with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). One search result from December 2019 indicates that José Lopez was the Region 5 Field Office contact. Another result, likely from an earlier date based on the document date of August 2012, lists Jose Lopez as a Transition Specialist in the Region Five DBHDD Office. A third result, which appears to be a leadership list for DBHDD, includes Jose Lopez in the Office of Recovery Transformation under the Division of Behavioral Health. While these results place Jose Lopez within the relevant department and division, they do not provide a detailed professional background or biography. There is no information regarding his specific roles, responsibilities, experience, or educational background within these documents, beyond the titles "Transition Specialist" and being listed in the "Office of Recovery Transformation" and as "Region 5 Field Office" contact. Another search result mentions a Jose Lopez, MD, specializing in Pediatric Developmental, but this appears to be in California and not directly related to the Georgia DBHDD position. Other results either refer to different individuals named Jose Lopez or discuss the DBHDD without mentioning him. Therefore, based on the available information, only his association and roles within DBHDD can be stated.Jose Lopez is listed in the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) in the Office of Recovery Transformation within the Division of Behavioral Health. He has also been identified as the contact for the Region 5 Field Office and previously served as a Transition Specialist in the Region Five DBHDD Office.
Adrian Johnson is the BH Field Operations Director at the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). Previously, Johnson served as the Deputy Director within the Division of Behavioral Health at the Georgia DBHDD. Johnson is also listed as the Director of Field Operations for the Division of Behavioral Health.
Candice Tate was the Director of the Office of Deaf Services within the Division of Behavioral Health at the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) in 2014 and 2015. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Gallaudet University, earned in 2006, and is a Licensed Psychologist. Her professional experience includes providing direct mental health and behavioral counseling to adults with various issues and conducting assessments for individuals across different age groups related to conditions such as ADHD, learning disorders, cognitive/executive functioning, and developmental disabilities. Tate's experience spans multiple settings, including community mental health agencies, research centers, schools, and residential and day treatment facilities.
Dante T. McKay is the Director of the Office of Children, Young Adults, and Families for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). In this role, he manages the state's system of services for this population, including crisis stabilization, residential treatment, school-based mental health, wraparound services, and workforce development. Prior to joining the DBHDD, he served as the Georgia State Director for Enroll America, focusing on health insurance enrollment. He also worked as the Policy Director for the advocacy organization Voices for Georgia's Children. McKay holds a JD and an MPA.
Dawne Morgan is the Director of the Office of Federal Grants & Special Initiatives within the Division of Behavioral Health at the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). She was identified as the Director of Federal Grants in a 2010 announcement regarding a federal grant awarded to the DBHDD to improve children's behavioral health care. Her role has also been listed as Director, Federal Grant Programs for the Division of Mental Health within the department. She has been involved with initiatives related to children's mental health in her capacity at DBHDD.
Cassandra Price is the Director for the Office of Addictive Diseases within the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), where she also serves as the single state authority on substance use disorders. She leads efforts to provide access to prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Prior to the formation of DBHDD in 2009, Price held roles at the سابق Georgia Department of Human Resources, including women's treatment coordinator and child & adolescent program administrator, overseeing substance use disorder treatment for women and children. She is a Georgia Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor-II. Her experience also includes working as a Substance Abuse Manager and Certified Addiction Counselor at Highland Rivers Community Service Board. Price has an MBA from American Intercontinental University and a BA in Communications from the University of Georgia. She has also been involved with the National Association of State Drug/Alcohol Abuse Directors, serving as Immediate Past President and Public Policy Chair.