HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Brenda E. Brown, MS, LCMFT, TLAC, has been promoted to the position of Clinical Director/Chief Operating Officer at Horizons Mental Health Center, effective immediately.
In her new position, Brown will oversee the Clinical Outpatient Services Department, Same Day Care Services, and Community Services Division within Horizons Mental Health Center.
Brown joined Horizons in June 2014 to lead the organization’s Same Day Care and Access to Care Units. Before that, she was employed for three years as Clinical Director for the Cowley County Mental Health and Counseling Center in Winfield. During her time of employment she served as the interim Executive Director for the organization between December 2012 and November 2013.
In 2001, Brown received an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland campus in London, England, and in 2008 was awarded a Master of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Friends University in Wichita.
Other positions held by Brown include time spent as Acting Executive Director for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society in London, England, and as a tax preparer in Wichita. Brown also worked for one year as a Graduate Assistant and Student Therapist for the Center for Family Living in Wichita.
Starting in 2008, Brown served two-year stints as a Therapist and Case Manager for New Hope Heartland in Norwich and as an Outpatient and Crisis Clinician at the South Central Kansas Mental Health Counseling Center in El Dorado.
Brown said she is honored to have the opportunity to serve in this new position.
“I look forward to serving those in our catchment area in this new role,” Brown said.
Mike Garrett, MS, LCP, CEO of Horizons Mental Health Center, said Brown is the right fit for a growing organization that serves more than 5,000 area residents with mental health services.
“Brenda brings a vast background to her new position,” Garrett said. “In a relatively short time span of 16 years, she has managed multi-million dollar budgets and merged departments, while assessing and diagnosing outpatients in crisis settings.”
“She has hit the ground running and will be an invaluable member of our team as we plan for the future of Horizons Mental Health Center which will observe its 50th anniversary in three years,” Garrett said.
“Brenda has a thorough knowledge of the entire organization and she will be an immediate contributor to the executive leadership team at Horizons,” Garrett continued.
Ken Johnson, Interim President and CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, said Brown’s interest in the position provided an opportunity to promote from within the organization.
“We are very proud of the team on board at Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System and, in this case, found the right person within the Horizons organization,” Johnson said.
Horizons Mental Health Center is an affiliate of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System. Other affiliates are Hospice and Homecare of Reno County, Ray E. Dillon Living Center, Health-E-Quip, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center and Hutchinson Regional Medical Foundation.