The Missouri Department of Mental Health (DMH) will have a new Director on July first.
The DMH has announced Thursday that current Director in the Division of Behavioral Health, Mark Stringer, will succeed retiring Department Director Keith Schafer.
The search for the new Director was conducted by a 12-member panel comprised of individuals representing statewide organizations from the fields of behavioral health and developmental disabilities.
“We look forward to the Department’s continued growth and success with current initiatives,” Search Committee Chair Steve Roling said in a press release issued by the department. “We know Mark will strengthen existing relationships and build new ones as well as carry on the innovative thinking of Keith Schafer and the DMH Senior Management Team.”
Stringer has been with the Department for 16 years, and has worked closely with retiring Director Schafer since 2007.
Stringer says he is excited for the new level of responsibility, and is looking forward to the continued success of the Department.
“The Department has done some spectacular things over the years, and my goal is to continue the projects and initiatives that are underway now,” Stringer said. “As well as to develop some initiatives that will help us even better serve the people we care for.”
Stringer said that the continued development of the new high-security Fulton State Hospital, along with working with law enforcement to better serve those with mental illness, are top priorities during his tenure.
