NEWS & NOTES

There’s a plaque on the door of Patricia Roach Smith’s office that reads, “Don’t worry. It is all going to be amazing.” The saying underscores her anticipation about the next phase in her life – retirement. After 29 years with the Bert Nash Center – the past 16 as chief operating officer – Roach Smith’s last day at the Center will be October 6th. “I’ve had this incredible career at the Center, offering the chance to work with remarkable people, courageous clients and outstand

Naomi Cataudella and Paul Leffingwell have been in their roles as AID clinicians at the Douglas County Jail for less than two years. But in that short time the program has quickly gained national attention. AID stands for Assess, Identify, and Divert. The unique program is a collaboration between Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare. Professors Jason Matejkowski and Margaret Severso

When Amy Warren was doing her social work practicum in the late 1990s at the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, Patricia Roach Smith was her field instructor. Roach Smith was the director of Child and Family Services at Bert Nash at the time and Warren was going through the Master of Social Work degree program at the University of Kansas. Now, about 20 years later, Warren will succeed Roach Smith as the Bert Nash Center’s chief operating officer. Bert Nash CEO Patrick

When he came to Bert Nash Center, the client reported feeling alone, hopeless, worthless and depressed. And he had written a suicide note. A little more than a year later, after participating in different therapy retreats for depression offered at the Center, the client is in a much better place. “He became more engaged after several sessions,” said Adult Outpatient Program therapist Shelly Goscha, who was one of the Bert Nash therapists who worked with the client. “He began

Patrick Schmitz knows he is joining some select company. Schmitz, 51, will become just the third CEO of the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center in nearly 40 years. He will succeed David Johnson, who is in his 17th year as CEO of the Bert Nash Center and is retiring the first of July. Johnson’s predecessor, Sandra Shaw, was CEO of the Center for more than 20 years. “I’m very excited,” Schmitz said. “The more I went through the process, and the more I found out about Bert