Dr. Ann Sullivan, Commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH), has been named recipient of the 2017 CEO Award by the Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS). The CEO Award is given annually by the Association to individuals whose leadership and dedication helps to transform the lives of individuals with mental illness and their loved ones.

“Over her tenure as Commissioner, Dr. Sullivan has proven to be a good friend to MHANYS and our members in 52 counties throughout New York State,” said Glenn Liebman, MHANYS CEO. “Her steadfast leadership, compassion and intelligence has helped in continuing to make New York State a national leader in community based mental health services, mental health innovations and the integration of mental health and healthcare. MHANYS is honored to present the annual CEO Award to New York State’s Mental Health Commissioner, Dr. Ann Sullivan.”

Commissioner Sullivan will receive the award during the Association’s Awards Dinner on Wednesday, October 18, 2017. The dinner is part of Association’s Annual Conference, to be held October 18 and 19 at the Albany Marriott. This year’s conference is titled “Thriving in Turbulent Times,” and features speakers and workshops to address the need to provide quality mental health services in a changing environment.

Dr. Sullivan is an active advocate for her patients and her profession. She has enjoyed an extensive career in public psychiatry and has lectured and published on best practices in community care.

She was confirmed by the New York State Senate as Commissioner on June 20, 2014. As Commissioner, she has guided the transformation of the state hospital system with an emphasis on recovery and expansion of community-based treatment, reinvesting more than $76.5 million in community services as of July 2017. Working closely with mental health providers and health plans, she is responsible for the movement of the health benefit for individuals living with serious mental illness into managed care. Under her leadership, OMH has been working to expand services to reach patients earlier – addressing the first episode of psychosis, and developed a comprehensive and multi-faceted statewide suicide prevention plan that is the first of its kind in the nation.

Prior to being appointed Commissioner, she has served in management positions within the Queens Health Network of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation.

Dr. Sullivan is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine, and a member of the American College of Psychiatrists.