NNews October 2024

44 October 2024 (continued from page 43) Get Better Aquainted with the NJAMHAA and NJMHI Board Members Shavonda Sumter, MBA President & CEO, Children’s Aid and Family Services Member, New Jersey General Assembly New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus Chair LisaMerritt, DNP, RN, PMHNP-BC, NE-BC Chief Nurse Executive Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton WITHADISTINGUISHED TEN-YEAR tenure, Lisa Merritt has exemplified her commitment to excellence by spearheading strategic planning, SHAVONDA SUMTER HAS WORKED inmental health services for more than 20 years. She previously served as Director of Behavioral Health Services at Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical Center. She also held leadership roles at other hospitals and behavioral health facilities. Shavonda has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2012 and held the executive leadership positions of Deputy Speaker andMajority Conference Leader. She is currently Chair of the Assembly Community Development andWomen’s Affairs Committee, and Vice-Chair of the Environment, Natural Resources, syndrome and provide essential care for pregnant women grappling with opioid use disorder. “I worked on Catholic Charities initiatives to fortify our nursing infrastructure and integrated healthcare delivery, and I oversee crisis support services and integrated models of care. I also contributed to the development of psychiatric residency programs, as well as student internship and practicumprograms. I look forward to sharingmy expertise and experience to strengthen NJAMHAA and all its member organizations,” Lisa said. and Solid Waste Committee. She also serves on the Labor and Commerce and Economic Development Committees. In addition, Shavonda is the first woman to chair the New Jersey Legislative Black Caucus. She received her Master’s degree in Business Administration from the FairleighDickinson University Silberman College of Business and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Kean University. “Being on the board givesme an additional opportunity to be the voice for providers of care for our community,” Shavonda said. organizing and overseeing the comprehensive operations of nursing and medical services at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Trenton. Lisa is also a Nurse Educator, serving as adjunct faculty at various universities. She was instrumental in opening and expanding treatment facilities, increasing access to ambulatory detoxification andmedication- assisted treatment services, and implementing nurse-led community- based interventions. Notably, she has been a driving force behind statewide efforts to combat neonatal abstinence “NJAMHAA and NJMHI are fortunate to have such strong, impactful leaders with diverse professional and cultural backgrounds. These impressive individuals will undoubtedly continue to contribute tremendously to our initiatives. Their individual and collaborative endeavors will greatly benefit New Jersey’s behavioral healthcare system and the individuals who rely on services to lead the highest-quality lives possible,” said Debra L. Wentz, PhD, President and CEO of NJAMHAA and Executive Director of NJMHI.