Gwinnett County community leaders joined Wednesday, Sept. 24, for "A Northside Conversation: Connecting for a Healthy Gwinnett."
The annual symposium, at the Gas South Convention Center, is for the local nonprofit community. It covers a range of health care topics and is hosted by the GHS Foundation.
Debbie Bilbro, president and CEO of Northside Hospital Gwinnett and Northside Duluth, and Jay Dennard, chief operating officer of Northside Duluth, welcomed guests and shared the story of Northside's growth and commitment in Gwinnett County.
Renee Byrd-Lewis, the president and CEO of the Gwinnett Coalition, moderated a panel discussion, "Exploring Challenges and Navigating Barriers in Behavioral Health."
Panelists were:
- Jessica Andrews-Wilson, the executive director of GUIDE, Inc.
- Roland Behm, co-founder of the Georgia Mental Health Policy Partnership
- Shannon Hervey, Ph.D., director of community health for the Gwinnett Coalition
- Al Taylor, Ed.D., interim superintendent of the Gwinnett County Public Schools
Later, leaders shared how their organizations address needs around behavioral health and discussed plans for future development and programs. Panelists were: (pictured below, left to right)
- Nikeisha Whatley-León, system director, Northside Hospital Behavioral Health Services
- Marina Peed, CEO and executive director, Mosaic Georgia
- Jennifer Hibbard, CEO, View Point Health
The day ended with a personal testimony from Wendell J. Fields, "Turning Crisis Into Purpose." Fields is a board member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Learn more about Northside's community involvement.
Photo at top: From left are Renée Byrd-Lewis, Roland Behm, schools Superintendent Al Taylor, Shannon Hervey, Jessica Andrews-Wilson and Jason Chandler.
