NJAMHAA Honors Behavioral Healthcare Leaders, Announces FY2027 Board Members

75th anniversary NJAMHAA poster, gold background with collage and title “Legacy of Impact”

June 18, 2026

NJAMHAA honored behavioral healthcare leaders and announced FY2027 Board Members during its 75th Anniversary Annual Membership Meeting, A Legacy of Impact: Building a Stronger Tomorrow, on June 17, 2026.

Congratulations to the Award Recipients!

  • Governor Christine Todd Whitman, Leadership in Healthcare Parity for New Jersey Award, President, Whitman Strategy Group
  • John Mooney, Founding Editor, NJ Spotlight News, Truth in Media Award       
  • Dave Salewski, formerly with the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), Special Service Award for IT Leadership             
  • Suzanne Borys, EdD, Assistant Division Director, DMHAS, State Leadership Champion of Technology Award
  • Anthony Comerford, PhD, NJAMHAA Board Chair and Chief Executive Officer, New Hope Integrated Behavioral Health Care, Board Leadership Award       
  • Bob Davison, MA, LPC, NJAMHAA Board Member and Chief Executive Officer, Mental Health Association, Public Policy Leadership Award   
  • Awards for Stellar Long-term Leadership: Former NJAMHAA Board President Bill Sette, MSW; Joe     Masciandaro, MA; John Monahan, ACSW, LCSW; and Jeanne Wurmser, PhD (in memoriam)     
  • Past Board President Appreciation Awards: J. Michael Armstrong, MA, MBA; Robert J. Budsock, MS, LCADC; James Cooney, MSW, LCSW; Anthony DiFabio, PsyD.; Deborah Hartel, MSW, ACSW; Jacques Hryshko, LPC, ACS; James Lape, MA, MBA, FACHE; Susan Loughery, MBA; Thomas W. Ludlow, LCSW, LCADC, LLC; Kemsey Mackey, ACSW, LCSW; Dan Martin, EdD; Deborah Megaro, MBA; Donald J. Parker, MSW, LCSW; Robert L. Parker, MPA; Steve Ramsland, EdD; Robert Schober, MSEd, LRC; and Victoria Sidrow, MPA
  • Past Board Member Recognition Awards: Mary Pat Angelini, MPA, CPS; Mary Jo Buchanan, LCSW, MPA; Patrick Cacacie; Carmine Deo, MBA, MSW, LCSW; Julie Drew, LCSW, MPA; Linda Gochfeld, MD; Shel Goldstein; Manny Guantez, PsyD, LCADC; Jerome Johnson; Joe Kadian, PsyD, NCC; Linda Leyhane; Cheryl Marks Young, MAS, PCC; Harry Marmorstein, MA, MBA; Jim McCreath, PhD, LCSW; Bob Pekar, LCSW; Phyllis Reilly; Lori Ann Rizzuto, LCSW; Paula Sabreen; Pete Scerbo, MSW, LCSW; Greg Speed, MSW, LCSW; William Starrett; Philip Wilson; Theresa Wilson, MSW, LCSW; and Rose Zeltser     
  • Len Altamura, DSW, LCSW, Past Executive Leadership Recognition Award               
  • NJAMHAA Staff Recognition Awards:
  • Ron Gordon, Director, IT Project, 30-Year Combined Service Award   
  • Julia Schneider, CFO, 20-Year Combined Service Award         
  • Arthur Powis, Technical Support Specialist 1, 20-Year Service Award
  • Shauna Fuzes, Vice Pres., Public Affairs & Member Services, 20-Year Service Award         
  • Mary Abrams, MPP, Senior Health Policy Analyst, Distinguished Service Appreciation Award
  • Rozanne Harkins, Administrative Assistant, Significant Service Award
  • Thomas Price, LAN/WAN Network Engineer, Service Recognition Award
  • Tara Shiffert, Administrative Events Planner, Service Appreciation Award
  • Farrah Fabrigas, IT Production Specialist, Service Appreciation Award

Congratulations to the FY2027 NJAMHAA Board Officers and At-Large Members!

Current Board Chair Anthony Comerford, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of New Hope Integrated Behavioral Health Care, announced the FY2027 Board election results.

The FY2027 Board Officers will be:

  • Chair: Current Vice Chair Frank Ghinassi, PhD, ABPP, President and CEO of Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care and Senior Vice President of RWJBarnabas Health’s Behavioral Health and Addiction Service Line
  • Vice Chair: Current Treasurer Alan DeStefano, MSW, Executive Director of Cape Atlantic Integrated Network for Kids
  • Treasurer: Kristine Pendy, LCSW, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Clinical Services at Vantage Health System
  • Secretary: Derry Holland, Chief Executive Officer of Oaks Integrated Care, was elected to serve a second term in this position.

At-Large Board Members Election Results:

  • Dr. Anthony DiFabio, President and CEO of Acenda Integrated Health, incumbent
  • Lou Schwarcz, CEO of Family and Children’s Service of Monmouth, incumbent
  • Jacques Hryshko, President and CEO of Family Connections, Inc., was elected to an At-Large seat after having served as Immediate Past Chair.
  • Eman Gibson, Chief Clinical Officer at Integrity House, was elected as a new member of the Board.

Dr. Comerford will continue to serve on the Board in FY2027 as the Immediate Past Chair.