Children’s Mental Health
Opening remarks from Kennedy Forum Founder Patrick Kennedy - Moderated by Eileen Durkin
Featuring Dr. David Satcher, Bennett L. Leventhal, Hon. Willie Cochran, and Dr. Bechara Choucair
Thursday, Nov 13, 2014
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Speakers
Dr. David Satcher
Dr. David Satcher was sworn in on February 13, 1998 and he became the second person in history to ever simultaneously hold the positions of Surgeon General and Assistant Secretary for Health. A recipient of more than 40 honorary degrees and numerous distinguished honors, Dr. Satcher brought to the office a wealth of public health experience and encouraged public debate about such varied topics as mental health, bioterrorism, sex education, AIDS, suicide, cloning, and achieving a balanced community healthcare system. Serving under both Democratic and Republican parties as Surgeon General, he led the Department’s efforts to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health. He also released Surgeon General’s reports on tobacco and health, mental health, suicide prevention, mental retardation, sexual health and responsible sexual behavior, youth violence prevention, and obesity. Well-respected by the medical, business, and political communities, Dr. David Satcher continues to dedicate his life's work to promoting healthy lifestyles for all Americans.
Bennett L. Leventhal, MD
Bennett L. Leventhal, MD, is widely recognized for his leadership and expertise in fostering career development and training programs as well as collaborative research networks that focus on everything from molecular genetics to community service and public health. His direction and vision have led to the creation of nationally prominent clinical research programs that continue to shape how we study childhood psychiatric disorders. Dr. Leventhal has championed initiatives to advance research on the molecular genetics of autism, the prenatal origins of disruptive behavior disorders, and the brain mechanisms that interfere with social functioning. He also helped establish a global network of scientists who are currently investigating the origins of mental health disorders that emerge during the first few years of life.
Hon. Willie Cochran
Hon. Willie Cochran is the youngest of 10 children born to Jasper and Gessner Cochran. His father worked in Chicago's stockyards for 33 years. His mother was a homemaker. He obtained an Associate of Arts degree from Joliet Junior College in 1973, and in 1975 he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Eastern Illinois University. He continued his education to earn a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1988, and pursued post- graduate studies at Northwestern University in Public Safety Administration. In 2007, Willie B. Cochran was elected Alderman of the 20th Ward, and in 2008 he was also elected Ward Committeeman. In 2011 he was re-elected to his second term as Alderman of the 20th Ward, and he was also re-elected Ward Committeeman in 2012. His background in business, public service, and organizing, and his degrees in Sociology, Public Administration, and executive training in Staff & Command in Public Safety have proven to be invaluable assets as he serves the public's interest.
Dr. Bechara Choucair
Dr. Bechara Choucair, a Family Physician, has served as Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health since November of 2009. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Dr. Choucair earned both his bachelors and medical degrees from the American University of Beirut and a Master's Degree in Health Care Management from the University of Texas at Dallas. Dr. Choucair completed his Family Practice Residency at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Dr. Choucair serves on numerous boards and has a faculty appointment at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. In addition to a number of local and national awards, he was named one of Chicago's 40 under 40 by Crain's Chicago Business in 2012.
Eileen Durkin
Eileen Durkin was named President and CEO of the Community Counseling Centers of Chicago (C4), in March 2012, a leading behavioral health advocate and social service provider for children, adolescents and adults in Chicago. Eileen has over two decades of Executive Leadership experience in human services, providing an exceptional perspective on the mission, vision, and values of C4 that the agency is able to grow on. She is a recognized leader with diversified experience in the affordable care act, health care reform, mental health and disability service. Her experiences in strategic planning and management foster her ability to openly drive change in today’s rapidly changing health care system and develop partnerships to provide quality services to our consumers.
Patrick Kennedy
Patrick Kennedy served 16 years in the U.S. House of Representatives, and is predominantly known as author and lead sponsor of the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. This dramatic piece of legislation provides tens of millions of Americans who were previously denied care with access to mental health treatment. Rep. Kennedy is the founder of the Kennedy Forum on Community Mental Health which served as a vehicle to celebrate the 50th anniversary of President Kennedy’s signing of the Community Mental Health Act, the landmark bill that laid the foundation of contemporary mental health policy and provided Rep. Kennedy with the platform to launch a bold, ongoing effort to advance the work President Kennedy began. The Kennedy Forum continues to advocate for mental health parity.
