The Pennsylvania Mental Health Initiative
The Pennsylvania Mental Health Initiative
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
The officers and directors of the Pennsylvania Mental Health Initiative serve as volunteer leaders for the organization. The expertise of the officers and directors is drawn from their exceptional work in mental health clinical treatment, counseling, workshop and curricular development, diversity education, academic leadership and teaching, community engagement and fund raising.
The officers and directors of the Pennsylvania Mental Health Initiative serve as volunteer leaders for the organization. The expertise of the officers and directors is drawn from their exceptional work in mental health clinical treatment, counseling, workshop and curricular development, diversity education, academic leadership and teaching, community engagement and fund raising.
PAMHI Officers:
PAMHI Officers:
Erin C. Crown, PA-C
Erin C. Crown, PA-C
PAMHI President
PAMHI President
Managing Member, Oasis LifeCare LLC
Managing Member, Oasis LifeCare LLC
Erin Crown is a Certified Physician Assistant and the Managing Member of Oasis LifeCare, LLC in State College, PA. She is co-founder and president of the Pennsylvania Mental Health Initiative, a board member in her second term with the NCCPA Health Foundation and a guest lecturer at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania’s Physician Assistant program.
Erin Crown is a Certified Physician Assistant and the Managing Member of Oasis LifeCare, LLC in State College, PA. She is co-founder and president of the Pennsylvania Mental Health Initiative, a board member in her second term with the NCCPA Health Foundation and a guest lecturer at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania’s Physician Assistant program.
Peggy Lorah, D.Ed.
Peggy Lorah, D.Ed.
PAMHI Vice President
PAMHI Vice President
Interim Assistant Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion (Retired), The Pennsylvania State University
Interim Assistant Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion (Retired), The Pennsylvania State University
Peggy Lorah recently retired as assistant vice president for Student Affairs, Diversity and Inclusion, at Penn State. Having worked at Penn State since 1999, she is the former director of the Center for Women Students, now called the Gender Equity Center. In addition, she held affiliate faculty appointments in Counselor Education; Higher Education; and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Lorah, a retired licensed professional counselor with specialties in trauma and addictions, worked for many years in community mental health. She holds a master’s of science in community counseling and a doctoral degree in counselor education.
Peggy Lorah recently retired as assistant vice president for Student Affairs, Diversity and Inclusion, at Penn State. Having worked at Penn State since 1999, she is the former director of the Center for Women Students, now called the Gender Equity Center. In addition, she held affiliate faculty appointments in Counselor Education; Higher Education; and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. Lorah, a retired licensed professional counselor with specialties in trauma and addictions, worked for many years in community mental health. She holds a master’s of science in community counseling and a doctoral degree in counselor education.
Greg Somers
Greg Somers
PAMHI Treasurer
PAMHI Treasurer
Proprietor, Happy Valley Brewing Company
Proprietor, Happy Valley Brewing Company
Gregory Somers served as a mathematics teacher at State College Area High School for 29 years. In 2012, Mr. Somers founded Happy Valley Brewing Company, where he still serves as proprietor. He serves as a founding member of Oasis LifeCare, LLC, an integrated health care practice located in State College.
Gregory Somers served as a mathematics teacher at State College Area High School for 29 years. In 2012, Mr. Somers founded Happy Valley Brewing Company, where he still serves as proprietor. He serves as a founding member of Oasis LifeCare, LLC, an integrated health care practice located in State College.
In addition to hospitality and brewing, Mr Somers's current professional focus is on increasing the number of local mental health care providers. He is committed to PAMHI’s mission of increasing access to and equity in mental health care for all, especially in schools and communities that are struggling mightily to address mental health challenges.
In addition to hospitality and brewing, Mr Somers's current professional focus is on increasing the number of local mental health care providers. He is committed to PAMHI’s mission of increasing access to and equity in mental health care for all, especially in schools and communities that are struggling mightily to address mental health challenges.
Nicole Webster, Ph.D.
Nicole Webster, Ph.D.
PAMHI Secretary
PAMHI Secretary
Associate Professor of Youth and International Development and African Studies Director of the 2iE-Penn State Centre for Collaborative Engagement in Burkina Faso, West Africa, The Pennsylvania State University
Associate Professor of Youth and International Development and African Studies Director of the 2iE-Penn State Centre for Collaborative Engagement in Burkina Faso, West Africa, The Pennsylvania State University
Nicole Webster, Ph.D. is an advocate for advancing the social and civic development of youth within their communities. As a faculty member at Pennsylvania State University, she works to advance youths' civic action priorities and understand how these actions impact young people's overall development. Working with non-governmental organizations, public institutions, and private industry, she identifies opportunities for enhancing the integration of youth in their communities and the greater society. She values her role on the board and being able to advocate for the social well-being of young people.
Nicole Webster, Ph.D. is an advocate for advancing the social and civic development of youth within their communities. As a faculty member at Pennsylvania State University, she works to advance youths' civic action priorities and understand how these actions impact young people's overall development. Working with non-governmental organizations, public institutions, and private industry, she identifies opportunities for enhancing the integration of youth in their communities and the greater society. She values her role on the board and being able to advocate for the social well-being of young people.
PAMHI Directors:
PAMHI Directors:
Seria Chatters-Smith, Ph.D.
Seria Chatters-Smith, Ph.D.
Director
Director
Director of Diversity and Inclusion, State College Area School District
Director of Diversity and Inclusion, State College Area School District
Dr. Seria Chatters-Smith is the Director of Equity and Inclusivity of the State College Area School District. She is also an Adjunct Associate Professor of Counselor Education at Penn State.
Dr. Seria Chatters-Smith is the Director of Equity and Inclusivity of the State College Area School District. She is also an Adjunct Associate Professor of Counselor Education at Penn State.
Her research interests focus on the impact of diversity on interpersonal violence with a specific focus on the prevention of bullying and harassment in secondary, postsecondary, and work settings. Additionally, her research focuses on how prejudice and bullying intersect, better known as bias-based bullying, and how different aspects of diversity such as ethnicity, race, disability, LGBT, religion, poverty, and veteran status impact experiences of bullying, cyberbullying, and interpersonal violence.
Her research interests focus on the impact of diversity on interpersonal violence with a specific focus on the prevention of bullying and harassment in secondary, postsecondary, and work settings. Additionally, her research focuses on how prejudice and bullying intersect, better known as bias-based bullying, and how different aspects of diversity such as ethnicity, race, disability, LGBT, religion, poverty, and veteran status impact experiences of bullying, cyberbullying, and interpersonal violence.
Dr. Chatters-Smith provides training for school personnel to aid them in developing an understanding of bias based bullying, how to respond to it, and how to work toward prevention in school settings.
Dr. Chatters-Smith provides training for school personnel to aid them in developing an understanding of bias based bullying, how to respond to it, and how to work toward prevention in school settings.
Jamison Malcolm, M.Ed.
Jamison Malcolm, M.Ed.
Director
Director
Chaplain, State College
Jamison Malcolm, M.Ed. is an ordained Minister and Chaplain in State College. He holds degrees in Anthropology and Economics from The University of Georgia. He earned a Master's Degree in Applied Youth, Family and Community Education at The Pennsylvania State University and was a UNESCO Research Fellow with a focus on youth led social justice research.
Jamison Malcolm, M.Ed. is an ordained Minister and Chaplain in State College. He holds degrees in Anthropology and Economics from The University of Georgia. He earned a Master's Degree in Applied Youth, Family and Community Education at The Pennsylvania State University and was a UNESCO Research Fellow with a focus on youth led social justice research.
Jamison is the Director of Programs at Hope For Kids, a nonprofit youth focused organization, where he directs leadership development and youth mentoring programs.
Jamison is the Director of Programs at Hope For Kids, a nonprofit youth focused organization, where he directs leadership development and youth mentoring programs.
He also serves on boards and committees for various local and international organizations.
He also serves on boards and committees for various local and international organizations.
Ernesto Roederer, M.D., Ph.D.
Ernesto Roederer, M.D., Ph.D.
Director
Director
Chief Medical Officer, Journey Health System
Ernesto Roederer is a general psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer of Journey Health System, a behavioral health network providing care across 22 rural counties of the Commonwealth. A graduate of Stanford University and Yale School of Medicine, he has worked in rural behavioral health for the past 30 years.
Chief Medical Officer, Journey Health System
Ernesto Roederer is a general psychiatrist and Chief Medical Officer of Journey Health System, a behavioral health network providing care across 22 rural counties of the Commonwealth. A graduate of Stanford University and Yale School of Medicine, he has worked in rural behavioral health for the past 30 years.
In addition to focusing on under served areas of Pennsylvania, his interests also lay in developing intensive programs for community based care for seriously mentally ill individuals, including with physical and intellectual comorbidity.
In addition to focusing on under served areas of Pennsylvania, his interests also lay in developing intensive programs for community based care for seriously mentally ill individuals, including with physical and intellectual comorbidity.
Michelle Henry
Michelle Henry
Director
Director
Mental Health Director, Centre County Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention-Drug and Alcohol
Mental Health Director, Centre County Mental Health/Intellectual Disabilities/Early Intervention-Drug and Alcohol
As a student, Penn State University brought Michelle to Centre County originally. Upon graduation, Michelle secured employment with Centre County Mental Health where she has been fortunate to grow and develop skill, personally and professionally, for the past 30+ years. Michelle’s experience in and passion for providing, designing, developing and managing public mental health services led her to participation in this board. Family and the great outdoors of Central PA help Michelle balance life.
As a student, Penn State University brought Michelle to Centre County originally. Upon graduation, Michelle secured employment with Centre County Mental Health where she has been fortunate to grow and develop skill, personally and professionally, for the past 30+ years. Michelle’s experience in and passion for providing, designing, developing and managing public mental health services led her to participation in this board. Family and the great outdoors of Central PA help Michelle balance life.
Dan Duffy, Ed.D.
Dan Duffy, Ed.D.
Director
Director
State College School District, Board Member; State College School District Psychologist (Retired)
State College School District, Board Member; State College School District Psychologist (Retired)
Dr. Dan Duffy grew up near Philadelphia and came to Centre County for graduate school in 1972. He has two sons who are graduates of State College High School. Following thirty-five years of service in Pennsylvania’s public schools as a school psychologist, Dan was elected to serve as a school board member for the State College School District. Dan believes that the fundamental job of the public schools is to provide a unique educational experience for every child that is designed to meet their needs, delivered through efforts that involve continuous and active collaboration with each child's family.
Dr. Dan Duffy grew up near Philadelphia and came to Centre County for graduate school in 1972. He has two sons who are graduates of State College High School. Following thirty-five years of service in Pennsylvania’s public schools as a school psychologist, Dan was elected to serve as a school board member for the State College School District. Dan believes that the fundamental job of the public schools is to provide a unique educational experience for every child that is designed to meet their needs, delivered through efforts that involve continuous and active collaboration with each child's family.
Philip Burlingame, Ph.D.
Philip Burlingame, Ph.D.
PAMHI Executive Director
PAMHI Executive Director
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (Retired), Pennsylvania State University
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs (Retired), Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Philip Burlingame previously served as the associate vice president for student affairs at Penn State and was co-coordinator of the College of Education’s master’s program in higher education and student affairs. He was also an affiliate assistant professor in higher education at Penn State. He completed a doctorate in higher education from the University of Pittsburgh and a master of arts degree in criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. At PSU, he chaired the subcommittee for the Penn State Middle States accreditation self-study in 2015 that included student services, admissions and retention and student learning.
Dr. Philip Burlingame previously served as the associate vice president for student affairs at Penn State and was co-coordinator of the College of Education’s master’s program in higher education and student affairs. He was also an affiliate assistant professor in higher education at Penn State. He completed a doctorate in higher education from the University of Pittsburgh and a master of arts degree in criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. At PSU, he chaired the subcommittee for the Penn State Middle States accreditation self-study in 2015 that included student services, admissions and retention and student learning.
Burlingame previously served as Vice President for Student Affairs at the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute. He taught criminology and criminal justice courses at IUP, Kutztown, Pitt-Bradford and SUNY Polytechnic.
Burlingame previously served as Vice President for Student Affairs at the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute. He taught criminology and criminal justice courses at IUP, Kutztown, Pitt-Bradford and SUNY Polytechnic.