Insight Matters
Spring, 2002

Ohio's Mental Health Director to Chair Presidential Commission
News release from Governor Bob Taft

President George W. Bush has announced the appointment of a "New Freedom Commission on Mental Health" during an appearance at the University of New Mexico. Ohio Department of Mental Health Director Michael F. Hogan, Ph.D., has been selected to chair the President's Commission.
According to the Executive Order signed by the President, the Commission's mission is, "to conduct a comprehensive study of the United States mental health service delivery system, including public and private sector providers, and to advise the President on methods of improving the system."
"Mike Hogan's accomplishments as mental health director have made Ohio a nationally recognized leader in mental health," said Ohio Governor Bob Taft. "Ohio has benefited greatly from his exemplary public service and his advocacy on behalf of adults and children with mental illness, and I'm sure our nation will benefits as a result of his appointment by the President as Chair of the Commission on Mental Health."

"It is a great honor and responsibility to lead the President's Commission on Mental Health," said Director Hogan. "I believe it reflects favorably on Governor Taft's leadership and progress in Ohio's mental health system that the President selected an Ohioan to lead the Commission. I am looking forward to this challenge."

The Commission will serve for one year and will issue a report to the President that describes the extent of unmet needs and barriers to care within the mental health system and provides examples of community-based care models with success in coordination of services and providing desired outcomes. The Executive Order specifies that the Commission report will include recommendations, "to enable adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbance to live, work, learn and participate fully in their communities."

Dr. Hogan holds a bachelor's degree from Cornell University and a doctorate from Syracuse University. He is a member of the MacArthur Foundation Network on Mental Health Policy Research, served from 1994-1998 on the National Advisory Mental Health Council, and from 1989 to 1999 as President of the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors Research Institute. He has authored a book and numerous chapters and journal articles, on topics ranging from strategic management to the organization and financing of mental health care to managed care. Dr. Hogan has been Director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health since 1991. He is married and has three sons.

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