Centerstone wins several 2020 TAMHO awards

The Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations (TAMHO) held its 2020 Annual Conference on December 10. The virtual event included TAMHO’s industry awards ceremony where a Centerstone board member, client, and executive leader each received honors.

Late Centerstone board member and mental health advocate Joan Sivley was posthumously given the Frank G. Clement Community Service Award. From her internship in 1974 at the Dede Wallace Center through more than forty years of clinical practice, executive leadership and volunteer service in the Tennessee health care industry, she steadfastly demonstrated wit, wisdom, finesse, and fortitude while changing people’s lives. Joan passed away in July 2020, but she laid a strong and dynamic foundation in her community that will continue to facilitate healing and growth for generations to come.

Centerstone client Samaria Leach won the TAMHO Personal Courage Award. Samaria puts in the work to manage her anxiety. She’s also working hard to feed children in response to COVID-19. Lockdown meant many kids in her neighborhood were not having a daily lunch that had been provided at school. Using personal resources, Samaria began safely feeding dozens of students through a window in her home. Media reported on the “Window of Love,” and the community responded with donations to multiply her efforts. Well done!

Centerstone Regional Chief Executive Officer Dr. Bob Vero was given the President’s Award, an honor given at the discretion of TAMHO president Jimmie Jackson. He bestowed the award to Vero in recognition of his 40 years of leadership in community behavioral health including TAMHO, where he served three terms as president.

In related news, Centerstone Vice President of Quality Improvement Dr. Brad Nunn presented during TAMHO’s 2020 Annual Conference session on “Telehealth: Keeping Connected During COVID and Beyond,” where he highlighted Centerstone staff’s remarkable shift to providing telehealth services in 2020. Further, Nunn was named TAMHO Secretary for a two-year term that begins January 1, 2021.

Congratulations to all!