Pamela Hyde Nominated to Head SAMHSA

Pamela S. Hyde, the current New Mexico Health and Human Services Secretary, has been nominated by President Obama to be administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Rear Admiral Eric Broderick has served as acting SAMHSA administrator since former head Terry Cline, Ph.D., stepped down last year.

The federal agency develops programs, policies and grants committed to improving the lives of people with or at risk for substance abuse and mental disorders.

Pamela Hyde has more than 30 years experience in management and consulting for public healthcare and human services agencies. She has served as a state mental health director, state human services director, city housing and human services director, as well as CEO of Comcare, a private non-profit managed behavioral healthcare firm.

Improved Services

Hyde was appointed cabinet secretary of the New Mexico Human Services Department in 2003 by Gov. Bill Richardson.

"Hyde has been with my administration since day one and has been a tremendous asset for the people of New Mexico, providing greater access to quality resources they need to be successful in life," Richardson said.

"She not only improved the services available through the Human Services Department but took on the task of improving and streamlining the way behavioral health services are administered in our state, something no other state has tried, much less accomplished."

Ms. Hyde is an attorney. She received her J.D. from University of Michigan Law School in 1976 and her B.A. from Southwest Missouri State University in 1972.

More:

• SAMHSA Website To Help Build Drug-Free Workplaces
  
• SAMHSA Releases 'Know Your Rights' Brochure
  
• SAMHSA Releases Practical Guidelines for Counselors

^{Photo: SAMHSA}