Michelle Heritage Ward honored with 2009 Barry Mastrine Award

Michelle Heritage Ward, President and CEO of St. Vincent Family Center, was honored with the 2009 Barry Mastrine Award at the ADAMH Annual Meeting held on Tuesday, December 1 at the Center for Workforce Development at Columbus State Community College.

The Barry Mastrine Award recognizes someone within the ADAMH system of care who motivates health care providers to work together, promotes collaboration and cooperation between agencies and inspires people to give back to the community.

Ward has more than 20 years of experience working in the area of mental health and drug and alcohol rehabilitation. For the past eight years, she has helped connect children with behavioral health challenges with the resources and treatment they need.

According to her nominators, Ward’s leadership “continues to create a mission-driven culture that provides cutting-edge programs... She has created a dynamic team of employees committed to excellence.”

Ward has also been selected as a 2010 Women for Economic and Leadership Development (WELD) “Women You Should Know” and under her leadership, St. Vincent Family Center was recognized by Business First as one of the 2009 “Best Places to Work”.

ADAMH is Franklin County’s authority for planning, funding and evaluating mental health, alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment services. ADAMH-funded services are provided by a local network of more than 40 not-for-profit providers and offered on a sliding-fee scale, making them affordable for any county resident, regardless of income.