Pat Coleman, president and CEO of BHR, was awarded the Visionary Leadership award at the 2015 National Council for Behavioral Health conference. The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership in the behavioral healthcare field, improving the lives of individuals with mental illnesses and addictions disorders and helping them live full lives in their communities.

Patricia Coleman built her reputation in the behavioral health field as a human resource expert, understanding that the key to every organization is their employees. Over her career, she brought in experts in call center management, sales, productivity and applied business models to enhance BHR’s sustainability, performance and growth. In 2010, BHR received a small Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant to provide follow-up services to callers on the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. At the same time, Coleman brought in external consultation to support BHR’s sales team and enhance growth. Between 2010 and 2015, BHR’s follow-up program grew from one small SAMHSA grant to seven follow-up programs covering more than two million lives and benefiting thousands.

View Pat’s acceptance speech here.