September 7, 2007

Deborah Peel, M.D., Stephen W. Mayberg, Ph.D., and 60+ Esteemed Faculty to Present at 3rd Annual Institute for Behavioral Health Informatics

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania – Informatics is a field of study concerned with a broad range of issues in the management and use of biomedical information. By definition, informatics focuses on the resources, devices and methods required to optimize the acquisition, storage, retrieval and use of information to address problems related to mental and behavioral health and addictions. OPEN MINDS is pleased to be producing the 3rd Annual Institute for Behavioral Health Informatics (IBHI 2007) which will address not only the technology itself, but also clinical guidelines, formal medical terminologies, and information and communication systems.

IBHI 2007 will be held on October 25-26, 2007, in Washington, D.C at the Sheraton Crystal City Hotel. The institute is the only industry-wide gathering of public and private system executives, academic researchers, clinical professionals, policymakers, and administrators devoted to explaining the future of technology in the behavioral health field. The Institute is designed to engage participants in defining the need for new technological solutions and facilitating the application of new technological developments.

In addition to 60+ faculty members, Deborah Peel, M.D. and Stephen W. Mayberg, Ph.D. will present keynote addresses. Dr. Peel, founder of the Patient Privacy Rights Foundation, is a practicing physician and national expert on medical privacy. She became active in privacy rights at the federal level in 1993 when the Clinton Healthcare Initiative required every doctor-patient encounter to be entered in a federal health database. She advocated first as an individual and later on behalf of state and national medical specialty organizations for patient control of access to medical records. She presents at national panels and Congressional briefings, has provided state and federal testimony, and is widely quoted in trade journals and the national press.

Stephen W. Mayberg, Ph.D., director of the California Department of Mental Health, was appointed Director of the California Department of Mental Health in February 1993. Dr. Mayberg has responsibility for the oversight of the almost $4 billion public mental health budget as well as almost 8,500 employees. Since Dr. Mayberg has assumed his position he has embarked on an ambitious agenda that includes a number of major initiatives to reform the mental health system including the Mental Health Services Act, which reflect the changes based on programmatic research and program outcomes and accountability. In June 2002, Dr. Mayberg was appointed to the President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. Dr. Mayberg's accomplishments have often been recognized as evidenced by his many honors and awards.

The complete list of the 60+ member faculty can be found on the IBHI 2007 web page on OPEN MINDS web site at www.openminds.com/ibhi2007.

The Institute is sponsored by Community Care Behavioral Health Organization; Askesis Development Group, Inc.; and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Exhibitors include Anasazi Software; Angel Systems, Inc.; ContinuedLearning; Credible Behavioral Health; The Echo Group; Esteam; Five Points Technology Group; Harmony Information Systems, Inc.; Health Care Software, Inc.; Infinity/Civerex; and Qualifacts Systems, Inc. The institute is affiliated with the following associations: Alliance for Children & Families; Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland; Colorado Behavioral Healthcare Council; California Council of Community Mental Health Agencies; Florida Council for Community Mental Health; National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers; Pennsylvania Community Providers Association, and Purchasing Partners of America.

For more information or a complete agenda, visit www.openminds.com/ibhi2007 or call toll free 877-350-6463. Group discount registrations are available through OPEN MINDS Dream Team Management Education Program.

OPEN MINDS is a national behavioral health and social service industry market research and management consulting firm. Founded in 1987 and based in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the 75+ associates provide executive education, information, market research, and management consulting services.

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