Bert Nash event celebrates lives that have been changed, honors mental health advocates

Stories of dedication. Stories of service. Stories of inspiration. Most importantly, stories of lives changed.

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center’s annual celebration recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the center and to mental health in Douglas County. About 150 people attended the event.

This was the 27th year for the celebration, which honors the memory of the man whose work lives on through the center that bears his name.

“That’s why we hold this Pioneer Celebration each year,” Bert Nash CEO David Johnson said. “To celebrate a pioneer in mental health, whose vision was carried on by a group of community pioneers, who built a clinic that for more than 60 years has continued to be a pioneer in providing mental health services to Douglas County.”

Honorees during Monday’s event at Maceli’s included the Rev. Paul Taylor, a pastor at the Mustard Seed Church in Lawrence and a chaplain for law enforcement and emergency medical services, who was presented with the Pioneer Award. In 2005, Taylor partnered with Bert Nash and community mental health professionals in formation of the Kansas All Hazards Behavioral Health team in Douglas County.

“This year’s winner joins an extremely distinguished list of individuals who have generously shared their vision, leadership, guidance, and direction with the staff, volunteers and consumers of the Bert Nash Center,” said Johnson.

Other community members honored were Jane Eldredge and Bonnie Lowe, who received the Lyn Smith Distinguished Service Award, named for the community leader who served on the Bert Nash Governing Board of Directors from 1997 until his passing in 2002.

Eldredge, an attorney who served on the Bert Nash Governing Board from 2002-2010, was unable to attend Monday’s event. Lowe, a financial investigator with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, served on the Governing Board from 2005-2010 and was chairwoman in 2008. She also served on the Endowment Board of Trustees from 2007-2010.

“They were wonderful leaders and strong advocates for all the work the center does,” Johnson said.

Three Bert Nash volunteers — David Ambler, Jason Edmonds and Rosy Elmore — were recognized with a Good Friend Award.

“Combined they gave more than two decades of leadership to the Endowment Board,” Johnson said. “We are incredibly grateful for all the time, energy and dedication they have given to the center.”

Linda Davis, an adult community support services team leader, received the top staff award. The Sandra Shaw Spirit Award is named for the late Sandra Shaw, who was the CEO and a clinician at Bert Nash for 30 years. The award recognizes a staff member who demonstrates exceptional work and dedication.

“Linda is an excellent resource and an asset to Bert Nash,” last year’s Spirit Award winner Stephanie Shelley said during her introduction of Davis. “She is dedicated to her work and the community. She works to better the lives of our clients and improve the well-being of the center. Linda has given more than 15 years to Bert Nash, and she has done it with a can-do attitude.”

The final ovation of the night came after Jennifer Sherman of Baldwin told her moving story of how Bert Nash helped her family. Sherman shared how services offered through the center — such as dialectical behavioral therapy, individual and family therapy and the secondary therapeutic classroom — assisted her family through an extremely difficult time.

“We made use of nearly every service that is offered,” Sherman said. “Through it all, Bert Nash was there for us.” Or, as the center’s CEO said, “Another life changed by Bert Nash.”

To see more photos from the Pioneer Celebration, visit www.facebook.com/BertNashCenter.