In this special joint episode with Tulsa Area United Way's Live United podcast, Mike Brose interviews Dr. Adam Andreassen, the new CEO of Family & Children's Services.

Dr. Andreassen succeeded Gail Lapidus, who dedicated five decades to FCS, with 38 years of those years in the role of CEO.

Dr. Andreassen’s extensive experience includes his tenure as the Chief Operating Officer for Brightli, one of the largest nonprofit behavioral healthcare centers in the United States, which is the parent organization of Burrell Behavioral Health, a Certified Community Behavioral Health Center (CCBHC) in 18 Missouri counties. He has also served as the President and CEO of the National Psychology Training Consortium, an organization that provides doctoral psychology internships to member agencies nationwide.

Dr. Andreassen’s journey into behavioral healthcare leadership commenced with the completion of his Doctorate Degree in Clinical Psychology at the School of Professional Psychology at Forest Institute. Since then, he has played a significant role in various aspects of community mental health.

At Burrell, Dr. Andreassen played a pivotal role in expanding access to care through community partnerships, public policy advocacy, and workforce development initiatives. Much like F&CS, Burrell is a CCBHC demonstration agency, and under Dr. Andreassen’s leadership, they have more than doubled their organizational revenue and services, ensuring accessibility for those most in need. He is a strong advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, considering these values fundamental to the mission of community mental health.

Upon his appointment, Dr. Andreassen expressed his enthusiasm, saying:

“I met Gail and the FCS team shortly before COVID in early 2020 and was immediately impressed with their innovation and passion for access in the thriving city of Tulsa. But I never imagined the story would lead to the point of joining this amazing system in such a dynamic and passionate community! Gail and FCS are known among community mental health centers throughout the United States for their quality and creativity. She is leaving behind an extremely strong team and organization; I am committed to ensuring we honor that legacy with continued growth as we relentlessly pursue ensuring quality access to care! Access to behavioral healthcare is vital for the health and well-being of every community. Access is a concept more than a place; it is more than being open for business – every barrier to care must be removed.”