Aspire Indiana Health Senior Director of Information Systems and Technology Demetrius Dillard has been named Advocate of the Year by the Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC).
This award recognizes an individual who has championed the advancement of CMHC’s mission to deliver high-quality, culturally competent, comprehensive primary care services regardless of patients’ ability to pay. They have demonstrated a steadfast commitment to supporting the growth of the CMHC through education, partnership, or service.
According to the Indiana Council, Dillard has been named CMHC Advocate of the Year for his tireless advocacy efforts on behalf of CMHCs in Indiana. His passion for data and technology within Aspire and CMHCs has been instrumental in leading an effort for a systemwide data integration product and process.
“When the Indiana Council asked for a person to coordinate and lead an effort for a systemwide data integration product and process, Demetrius volunteered without hesitation,” Aspire Information Officer Jim Skeel said. “He provided expertise and guidance to Zoe [Frantz, Indiana Council President and CEO], the State team, and the Council team in their conceptualization and understanding of the capabilities and possibilities in this arena. In step with the Council’s and State’s ‘build the plane while you fly it!’ approach to implement this portion of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) transformation, Demetrius was a strong advocate for the involvement of all CMHC’s and helped set up a framework for the collection and meaningful use of CCBHC data.”
“I appreciate how Demetrius is constantly looking at his team internally – how they can grow and keep learning,” Aspire Indiana Health Culture Officer Dr. Gina Forrest said. “He keeps up with trends in the workforce from his lens, and that helps us in HR to know what he might be looking for when he needs to add to his team. Also, he is proactive in anticipating what our needs are across the organization.”
The Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers is dedicated to advocating for and supporting the provision of quality mental health and substance use services for all Hoosiers. Comprising CMHCs across the state, the Council works collaboratively with government entities and stakeholders to ensure accessible and effective mental health care.
About Aspire
Serving central Indiana since 1966, Aspire Indiana Health is a nonprofit provider of comprehensive healthcare services addressing behavioral health, primary care medicine, substance use disorder, infectious diseases, deaf services, veteran services, recovery housing, abused/neglected children, and programs addressing the social drivers of health, including housing and employment assistance. Aspire is supported by a strong network of community organizations, state and federal entities, and generous benefactors. Learn more at aspireindiana.org.