Award recognizes those who work on behalf of
Floridians living with behavioral health challenges
The Florida Behavioral Health Association (FBHA) annually honors the best in the behavioral health workforce with a series of prestigious achievement awards. The Association recognizes individuals in the areas of Peer or Recovery Support Specialist of the Year, Supervisor or Administrator of the Year, Behavioral Health Professional of the Year for Youth, Behavioral Health Professional of the Year for Adults, and Distinguished Service Awards. FBHA recognized six professionals at their annual conference in August.
“I have the privilege of working with extraordinary people who are committed to serving our state 24/7,” said Melanie Brown-Woofter, President and CEO of FBHA. “This year’s honorees have had a positive impact on the lives of countless Floridians and their families and for that we are so grateful.”
The FBHA 2019 Awards of Excellence winners are:
Barry Cass, Peer Advocate, Centerstone of Florida
Peer/Recovery Support Specialist of the Year Award
Barry Cass is an exceptional Peer Advocate who is a source of constant guidance and support to clients in all phases of recovery at Centerstone. He has been a Peer Advocate for three years and currently works with the most acute population of clients diagnosed with substance use or mental health disorders. Barry has been in recovery and a part of AA and NA for 19½ years. He currently holds three certifications in Florida: Certified Recovery Peer Specialist, Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and Certified Addictions Counselor. He has recently found a way to promote substance abuse treatment and work to reduce stigma by contributing to The Recovery Room, a radio show that aims to provide information and encouragement to those struggling with addiction. He is also co-creator of a TV/webcast series that would shed light on the world of substance abuse and mental illness and the value of treatment.
Tara Kellogg, Director of Clinical Supervision, Chrysalis Health
Supervisor/Administrator of The Year Award
Tara Kellogg, LMFT, serves as the Director of Clinical Supervision for Chrysalis Health. She specializes in the training of evidenced-based practices (EBP) and clinical development for therapists across the agency. She has shown her dedication to community mental health through her 22 years of professional experience with the past 19 years at Chrysalis Health. As the Director of Clinical Supervision, she plays an integral role in leading the agency’s initiative to deliver high-quality behavioral health services. She is a nationally certified therapist and supervisor in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and holds clinical specialties in infant mental health and trauma related disorders.
Manal Durgin, MD, Medical Director, Child, and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Florida
Behavioral Health Professional of The Year Award (Youth)
Dr. Manal Durgin is Board Certified, a distinguished fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, a diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and serves on Devereux’s National Medical Advisory Committee. Dr. Durgin specializes in treating children and adolescents with mental health challenges and intellectual/developmental disabilities, provides training on Trauma Informed Care and Pediatric Psychopathology, and provides consultation on Autism Spectrum Disorders. With 20 years of experience working in psychiatric hospitals, residential centers, group homes, and foster care, she is a compassionate medical provider and works tirelessly to provide individually tailored care to some of the most complex children/adolescents. She is instrumental in helping survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and introduced a new clinical model for child survivors of sexual exploitation. Also Dr. Durgin continuously advocates for inclusive practices in supporting LGBTQ youth.
Guy Czaykowsky, MD Psychiatrist, SMA Healthcare
Behavioral Health Professional of The Year Award (Adult)
Dr. Czaykowsky has been employed by SMA Healthcare for more than 13 years as the FACT Team Psychiatrist and has worked as a Board-Certified Psychiatrist for over 29 years. He works at the Chet Bell Crisis Center (CBCC) providing care for individuals who are currently in acute crisis. Dr. Czaykowsky collaborates and writes the medical policies and procedures for SMA; he also provides clinical supervision for the Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of SMA. This, in turn, allows SMA to provide psychiatric services to thousands of individuals across four counties. Dr. Czaykowsky has provided supervision for third year medical students from Florida State University for the past 12 years. He also has provided clinical supervision to the House Next Door, a partner agency. Dr. Czaykowsky excels while working with FACT Team clients; providing care for the most difficult clients to help them stay out of the hospital. He is also a valuable member of the FACT Team’s daily multidisciplinary meetings.
Margarita (“Maggie”) Labarta, Ph.D. President/Chief Executive Officer, Meridian Behavioral Healthcare
Distinguished Service Award
Maggie Labarta, Ph.D. is President and CEO of Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, which provides mental health and substance abuse treatment, supportive vocational, and housing services. When Dr. Labarta became CEO in 2000, Meridian served 6,000 individuals in 10 rural counties; today Meridian serves almost 23,000 clients, from 16 counties. Prior to becoming Meridian’s CEO, Dr. Labarta directed rural clinics, the Children’s Department, and Acute Care Services. She has practiced as a clinical psychologist specializing in evaluation services in the family law arena and has provided clinical and management training and consultation on strategic planning. She has been involved in local efforts related to child wellbeing, workforce development, homelessness, and diverting those with a mental illness from the criminal justice system.
She was instrumental in creating the new combined Florida Behavioral Health Association and serves as Chair of the Florida Council for Behavioral Health and co-chair of the Public Resource division. Dr. Labarta is a fellow of the Florida Council for Community Mental Health.
Mary Lynn Ulrey, MS, ARNP, Chief Executive Officer, DACCO
Distinguished Service Award
Mary Lynn Ulrey has dedicated her entire 33-year career to serving individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. Ms. Ulrey was one of the first Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner’s (ARNP) to provide care in a substance use disorder clinic, beginning her practice in 1989. Since that time, she has been a frequent contributor to clinical care practice standards. In 2013, DACCO won the Innovation in Behavioral Health Services Award from HHS. Ms. Ulrey led DACCO to being one of the first community providers to implement a comprehensive MAT treatment protocol and practice. Under her tenure, the operation of DACCO has grown to provide a full continuum of clinical care for substance use disorders and co-occurring conditions. The main DACCO campus, completed in 2009, is one of the premier locations in Florida for comprehensive behavioral and health services under one roof. Mary Lynn has served on the Board of Directors of FADAA for many years and was recognized as the Leader of the Year award recipient in 2016 for her leadership contributions. Presently she serves on the Executive Committee of the newly created Florida Behavioral Health Association and serves as the Chair of the Association’s Justice Division. She has served on numerous local task forces and has been an active Board member of the Central Florida Behavioral Health Network.
About the Florida Behavioral Health Association
The Florida Behavioral Health Association is a non-profit organization that provides statewide leadership on behavioral health policy and practice. FBHA supports member agencies offering services to those in need of mental health and substance use disorder assistance and support. The Association’s members include a broad range of provider types, ranging from small specialty organizations to comprehensive treatment organizations with multiple locations within a geographic region. FBHA is the result of a recent merger between the Florida Council for Community Mental Health and the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse Association. For more information please visit floridabha.org.
