Health System with 3 hospitals across 1 state
| Health System | Mississippi Department of Mental Health |
|---|---|
| Total Hospitals | 3 |
| Commercial/Acute Hospitals | 0 |
| Total Beds | 167 |
| Commercial/Acute Beds | 0 |
| Headquarters | Jackson, MS |
| Website | dmh.ms.gov |
| Hospital | Type | Beds | Teaching | Recently Joined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Mississippi State Hospital | Psychiatric | 50 | No | No |
| North Mississippi State Hospital | Psychiatric | 82 | No | No |
| Mississippi State Hospital | Psychiatric | 35 | No | No |
Wendy Bailey is the Executive Director of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. She has been with DMH for more than 18 years. Prior to being named Executive Director, she served in the roles of Deputy Executive Director for Administrative Services, Chief of Staff, and more. Her roles have included overseeing strategic planning for the agency, communications and outreach, peer support, legislative affairs, licensure and certification, and more. She serves on numerous boards and task forces, including the National Research Institute Board of Directors, Southeast Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Advisory Board, Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services Board, State Early Childhood Advisory Council, ABLE Board, Certified Public Manager Advisory Board, and the Mississippi's Suicide Prevention Task Force. She serves as a liaison with national organizations such as Mental Health America, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. [4] Bailey received her bachelor's degree from Belhaven University and her master's degree from Webster University. She is a graduate of the John C. Stennis Institute of Government and is a Licensed Mental Health Administrator and Certified Public Manager. During her years at the agency, she has focused on strategic planning, performance development, and budget management. She was instrumental in the department's Think Recovery campaign, which partners with Certified Peer Support Specialists to focus on development of a recovery-oriented system of care, and the creation of the state's first comprehensive suicide prevention plan. [5, 10]
Dr. Tom Recore serves as the Medical Director of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH), where he provides strategic oversight and clinical leadership across the state's behavioral health and intellectual/developmental disability services. His previous roles include pivotal positions such as DMH Forensic Services Director, during which he spearheaded initiatives to enhance forensic mental health care and expand treatment facilities for forensic patients in Mississippi. [4]
Katie Storr is the Chief of Staff with the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. Her office oversees the Director of Human Resources, the Office of Planning and Communications, the Division of Outreach and Training, and the Branch of Coordinated Care. She also acts as a liaison with the Mississippi Legislature, state leaders and elected officials, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders. [4]
Jake Hutchins is Deputy Executive Director of Behavioral Health Services. He administers and monitors the delivery of mental health services at state-operated behavioral health programs and at certified community providers. The primary focus of his tenure with DMH has been coordinating statewide mental health services for adults and children and youth in community-based settings. [4]
Craig Kittrell serves as the Deputy Executive Director for Intellectual/Developmental Disability Services at the Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH). He holds a bachelor's degree in healthcare administration and a master's degree in public administration. Prior to his current role, he was the bureau director for intellectual and developmental disability services starting in January 2020. Kittrell has held various roles within both behavioral health and IDD programs at DMH, where he oversaw operations of support services, including information management, fiscal services, and risk management, and managed capital improvement projects. He oversees the intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities operated by DMH, as well as Community IDD Services, including the ID/DD Waiver Program and the IDD Community Support Program, which serve over 5,000 Mississippians. He is also identified as the Deputy Executive Director of State Operated Programs.
Kelly Breland is the Chief Financial Officer for the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. He holds an MBA from Mississippi College and is a Certified Public Accountant and a Certified Public Manager. Breland previously served as the assistant director for Mississippi State Hospital and the Mississippi Adolescent Center. He also worked as a lead instructor at Becker Professional Education. Breland oversees the Division of Accounting and the Division of Audit/Grants at the Department of Mental Health. The Chief Information Officer also reports to him.
Brent Hurley is the Director of the Bureau of Crisis Services, which is responsible for the oversight of Mississippi's crisis continuum and facilitates care coordination. This bureau oversees three divisions – the Division of Crisis Response, the Division of Care Coordination, and the Director of 988. [4]
Ja'Quila Newsome is the Director of 988. The Director of 988 is responsible for leading the implementation of the 988 initiatives, coordinating with crisis response services, overseeing funding, providing support, and fostering community connections. It directs and enhances state-level 988 operations to ensure program integrity and adequate service provision. The position provides leadership in coordinating the crisis system among 988 Centers, state resources, and local service providers. [4]