We are delighted to share our latest edition of Horizons.
There is much about legacies in these stories. One family is keeping their loved one’s name alive by investing in a respected clinician and teacher, whose own legacy already is etched in the lives of patients, families, and young clinicians.
Another donor has found meaning in helping clinicians in therapies that are scarce for people with borderline personality disorder and has included McLean in her estate plans to keep the work going.
We also share a story about spiritual legacies. What began more than a decade ago as a research project, which showed that spirituality is important to many who are coping with mental health disorders, has blossomed into a robust program serving the spiritual needs of McLean patients, families, and staff—as well as training pastors and clinical staff.
Our now 10-year-old Board of Visitors is building its own legacy through the individuals who embrace the opportunity to learn about, advocate for, and support McLean’s mission. We spotlight one of the group’s youngest members and his focus on “paying it forward.”
Finally, we introduce you to our newest Board member, April Koh. Her experience and passion for mental health will only add to the legacy of our deeply committed Board of Trustees.
Thank you for your interest in the work we do at McLean. So much of it would not be possible without your generosity and support.
Read the Articles
Endowed Fund Honors Joseph Stoklosa, MD, While Enhancing Clinical Care and Training
Joseph Stoklosa, MD, clinical director of McLean’s Division of Psychotic Disorders, never knew Andrew Smith. But Smith’s legacy will ensure that McLean’s superb care for patients with psychotic disorders will continue in perpetuity. Stoklosa is the inaugural incumbent of the Andrew L. Smith Clinical Directorship. This endowed clinical leadership role is permanently supported by income from a gift from Andrew’s parents—Ed and Kitty Smith. The honor was presented to Stoklosa at a ceremony in April.
Health Tech Entrepreneur April Koh Joins McLean Board of Trustees
“I’ve admired McLean for years,” said Koh, whose company, Spring Health, provides comprehensive mental health benefits to employers and health plans. By leveraging its Precision Mental Healthcare technology, Spring Health delivers exactly what will work for each person, faster. “Given my company’s work in mental health and my passion for advancing the field, it’s an honor to join McLean’s Board of Trustees.”
Spirituality and Mental Health Offer a Different Kind of Healing
While a psychology intern at McLean, David H. Rosmarin, PhD, ABPP, was regularly approached by patients wanting to talk to him about God. An orthodox Jew, the yarmulke on his head signaled that he might be available to speak about spiritual matters. He could only advise them to talk to their case manager about arranging a visit with an outside chaplain. At the time, McLean did not have one of its own.
Board of Visitors Gathers To Reconnect and Learn at Annual Meeting
On Wednesday, May 1, McLean held its 10th annual Board of Visitors meeting. The Board of Visitors (BoV) comes together each spring to connect more deeply around their shared interest in mental health issues and learn about McLean’s role in the field. They delight in this opportunity to engage with each other and McLean’s leadership and staff. The group boasts over 200 members, and about 100 individuals attended this year’s meeting, including one of the group’s newest members: Paul Mannix.
Read more in the full issue:
Making a Difference Through Philanthropy
Marianne Brigham wants to help improve mental health care by increasing the resources available to patients, researchers, and clinicians. She and her husband recognized this need many years ago as they struggled to find appropriate care for an adolescent family member. It was clear that the mental health professionals they encountered lacked specialized training.
It wasn’t until she came upon Family Connections in New Jersey, a BPD (borderline personality disorder) family support program with group leaders who had received training at McLean, that she found what she had been looking for.
Since then, she has been impressed by the far-reaching nature of McLean’s research and training activities and the way they are improving the standard of care for those far beyond the Belmont campus.
Brigham philanthropically supports training for early-career clinicians and researchers—particularly those concentrating on BPD—to equip them with the education and skills they need to be successful. In doing so, she hopes to increase access to treatment for those in need, particularly adolescents.
“Mental health challenges are much more prevalent than we realize, and these struggles can have a cascading effect on so many areas in our lives, affecting the whole family unit and beyond. By improving access to care, focusing on early intervention, and providing the space to openly discuss mental health issues, we can continue to break the stigma and set a healthy course,” she said.
Since learning about McLean, Brigham has elected to include McLean in her estate plans and now is a member of the John McLean Society. She also remains informed and connected to the hospital as a member of the McLean Board of Visitors. “I’m eager to make a difference in any way I can, whether it’s by giving or by educating myself and others about these concerns.”
To learn more about how you can make a legacy gift to McLean, contact Jen Meyers.
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