Bedford VA Mental Health Chief Gets National Recognition

Dr. Chuck Drebing, Chief of Mental Health Service, recently received the Michael S. Neale Award at the American Psychological Association Conference. This award is presented to an individual whose commitment to serving those with serious mental illness is demonstrated in a body of work expressed through advocacy, research, program development, or service delivery.

This recognitionof Dr. Drebing’swork at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital (Bedford VA) was recently noted by Under Secretary for Health Dr. David J. Shulkinas an example of things that are going well in VA.

His work has contributed to a number of new service models and enhancements for veterans with mental health disorders, including contingency management for vocational rehabilitation, motivational interviewing interventions for employment, supported self-employment, and peer-mediated supported education. He has published widely on the VA’s Compensated Work Training program and his on-going work seeks to support the roll-out of the VA supported education and peer support services.

Dr. Drebing has served as an investigator with the New England MIRECC since 1997 and is currently the Director for the new Social and Community Reintegration Research Program.

Robert Cook, Public Affairs, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital (Bedford VA)

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