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Volume5 - Number 2

March/April 1999

Rukeyser Named DMHMR Commissioner

On March 18, 1999, Governor Don Sundquist named Elisabeth Rukeyser of Knoxville commissioner of the DMHMR.

Rukeyser will oversee and direct the state's mental health services. Mental retardation services were transferred to Finance and Administration in 1996.

Active as a volunteer and leader of mental health organizations for more than 30 years, Rukeyser chaired the board of the National Mental Health Association from 1990-92. She is director of the board for the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia

and Depression and in her 18th year on the advisory council to Boston University's Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation.

In Tennessee, she chaired Covenant Behavioral Health and eight affiliated housing corporations. She served on the boards of Covenant Health Systems, TN Voices for Children and Lakeshore MHI. She was chair of Overlook MH Center and director of Detoxification Rehabilitation Institute, Helen Ross McNabb Foundation and Volunteer Ministries.

Brent Named Acting Head Of MR Services

Barbara Brent, assistant deputy commissioner of the Division of Mental Retardation Services since June of 1997, was named acting deputy commissioner effective January 30.

Brent's appointment was announced by F & A Commissioner John Ferguson who said a national search is underway for a deputy commissioner.

Brent is a graduate of the University of Idaho and holds a master's from Portland State University in Portland, Oregon.

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Professional experience includes extensive experience in the field of mental retardation/developmental disabilities in several prominent positions including executive director of a work activity center and supported employment program in Portland, Oregon; director of community services for people with disabilities in Denver, Colorado and executive director of the Rocky Mountain Resource and Training Institute; faculty and discipline director of education at the University of Colorado, Health Sciences Center, University Affiliated Programs; and director of training supported employment, State of Oregon.

Brent replaces Tom Sullivan who resigned in January.

Governor Makes Announcements Affecting DMHMR/Health

New Senior Health Care Advisor
Governor Don Sundquist announced on February 4 that Health Commissioner Nancy Menke would assume a new role as senior health care advisor to the governor.

In this capacity she would report directly to the governor and work at the national level with Congress and the Health Care Financing Administration officials on various health-related issues.

Menke has served as health commissioner since January 1997. She joined the administration in January 1995 as assistant to the governor for legislation and later directed the successful efforts to consolidate the Children's Plan into a single department.

Dr. Wadley to Head DOH
On February 22, the governor announced that Dr. Fredia Wadley was the new commissioner for the Department of Health replacing Menke.

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Wadley has served as the state's chief health officer since January 1997.

Under her leadership, the governor's TNKids initiative has been successful. Through TNKids, five state departments are working together to help offer Tennessee's children a safe, healthy start by better coordinating and improving services for children.

She joined the administration in January 1995 as health commissioner. Before coming to state government, she served as director of the Metropolitan Nashville/Davidson County Health Department.

Reorganization of Health Services
Governor Sundquist also announced a reorganization of health related services. Effective February 22, the DMHMR, the TennCare Bureau and the Department of Health began reporting to Finance and Administration Commissioner John Ferguson.

Youth Violence Conference

National World Baptist Center, Nashville - April 15-16, 1999

For more information, call 1-800-670-9882
or William Haynes at 615 532-1979
Coordinated by the Tennessee Department of Health and
Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation