NJAMHAA Honors Behavioral Healthcare Leaders, Announces FY2027 Board Members

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.