Expediting Access to Behavioral Health Treatment: A Panel Discussion with Industry Experts — Participant Information

Program originally recorded November 1, 2023.

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Join industry experts from California county mental health agencies, Psychiatric Health Facilities, behavioral health hospitals, and health systems to learn how they are working to expedite access to behavioral health treatment.

The panel discussion will bring together leaders who are focused on how California county crisis teams, behavioral health facilities, and health systems are working to accelerate access to care, create efficiencies in the workforce, and improve reporting and data transparency. Hear from experts who are implementing continuous quality improvement processes to enhance patient quality of care for high-risk behavioral health patients.

Krystin Sommer, RN/BSN
Chief Operating Officer
Heritage Oaks Hospital

Krystin Sommer is the Chief Operating Officer at Heritage Oaks Hospital. In this role, Krystin emphasizes oversight of processes and operations throughout the hospital, but focuses primarily on compassionate, patient-centered care, while expanding and diversifying the services offered to patients during their stay at Heritage Oaks Hospital. Dedicated to a career in health care for more than 15 years, Krystin Sommer has worked as a nurse for the past 12 years. Prior to that, her professional experience included direct nursing care for geriatric psychiatric patients, case management, substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, and various other nursing specialties.

Adam Ortner, LPT
Administrator
Cirby Hills Behavioral Health

Director of Accesss – North Valley, Cirby Hills and Stabler Lane Behavioral Health
Adam Ortner is a principal partner of North Valley Behavioral Health and a Member of Horizon Management and Consulting Group. He has more than 26 years of experience in the behavioral health field as an administrator, program manager, admissions director, and director of case management. He has worked exclusively with rural county mental health agencies as a communication liaison, service provider, program developer, and problem solver.

Todd Arvidson
Crisis Services General Manager
Sierra Mental Wellness Group

Todd Arvidson, while earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees, worked in residential treatment for adolescents in the Chicago area. Since 2004, after moving back to Northern California, Todd has worked as a crisis worker for Sierra Mental Wellness Group, Heritage Oaks Hospital, and Nevada County Behavioral Health.

Aimee Glasgow, LCSW
Social Worker
Arkansas Childrens Hospital

Aimee Glasgow, LCSW, is a Clinical Social Worker in the Emergency Department at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Aimee has worked at Arkansas Children’s Hospital for 17 years, 14 of which were as a generalist covering all areas of the hospital including inpatient and outpatient, with the past three years focusing on the ED. Prior to moving to Arkansas, Aimee worked at Children’s National Medical Center in psychiatry and hematology/oncology.

Shana Palmieri, LCSW (moderator)
Chief Clinical Officer
XFERALL™

Shana Palmieri is the chief clinical officer and co-founder at XFERALL. In this role, she is responsible for the strategic business operations and clinical innovation. Shana entered the start-up world after more than 17 years of experience in health care and social services, including direct clinical practice and health care administration. Before joining the team to launch XFERALL, Shana was the Director of Community Services at Kalihi Palama Health Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, and worked at The George Washington University Hospital as the director of the Behavioral Health Division, which she developed.

For additional assistance and other inquiries, email CHA’s Education Department at education@calhospital.org.