National Alliance on Mental Illness Elects Pasadena Doctor as President

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) has announced that Pasadena resident Keris Jan Myrick, Ph.D.c. will be its new president upon election of the organization’s board of directors.

“It is very exciting to be elected by the board of directors to serve as the NAMI National Board president,” said Myrick in a blog post on science, psychiatry, and community website www.MadInAmerica.com. “Through our board’s commitment to succession planning and leadership development, I feel confident and supported in this new role,” added the Pasadena resident.

Myrick is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pasadena-based Project Return Peer Support Network, an organization that provides support to people who have experienced mental illness by providing social opportunities, education, and community involvement.

In 2011, Myrick was profiled by The New York Times, featuring her triumph in managing her diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder

Prior to her election as NAMI president, Myrick served as a national trainer and presenter for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) education programs such as the “In Our Own Voice.”

Myrick was also a board member for NAMI at California state level. She also served as a systems leadership team representative in the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health planning processes.

“It is also an exciting time for NAMI as we strengthen our organization in many ways inclusive of diversification of our funding, increasing our focus on recovery and resiliency in policy, education and supports and building an inclusive organization based on our new Standards of Excellence,” said Myrick of her what her election has in store for her.

Other NAMI officers elected were:
•    Kevin B. Sullivan of West Hartford, Conn., first vice-president
•    Jim Payne, J.D. of Falls Church, Va., second vice-president
•    Ralph Nelson, Jr., M.D., of Visalia, Calif., treasurer
•    Clarence Jordan, M.B.A., of Cordova, Tenn., secretary

NAMI’s membership also re-elected Payne and Nelson to three-year terms on the board.

New NAMI board members elected were:
•    Carol Caruso of Collegeville, Pa.
•    Victoria Gonzalez of Oak Park, Ill.
•    Gloria M. Walker of Cincinnati, Ohio

NAMI’s board elections were held at its recent national convention in Seattle, June 27-30.

About NAMI

NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI advocates for access to services, treatment, supports and research and is steadfast in its commitment to raising awareness and building a community of hope.