2024 Spring Newsletter

18th Annual

The 18th Annual Champions of Hope was a very special night. Not only was it a celebration of the accomplishments of Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services (GCBHS) but it also allowed us to pay tribute to our very own retiring Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tracey Skale (read more about Dr. Skale on page 3).

The room at the Madison Event Center was full of old and new friends, clients of Dr. Skale, and GCBHS staff. The event was hosted by WKRC Breaking News and Traffic Anchor Jen Dalton, who is also the co-host for ARC Cincinnati which airs at 8 am on STAR 64. This was not Jen’s first time at the Champions of Hope podium, and we were thrilled that she was able to help us give Dr. Skale a proper send-off!

The evening was a tremendous success, due partly to the incredible support of this year's event sponsors (see page 2 for a complete list) and a much sought after Bengals helmet signed by none other than Cincinnati’s favorite quarterback, Joe Burrow!

One of the highlights of the evening’s program was the tribute to Dr. Skale. GCBHS President & CEO Jeff O’Neil, who has known Dr. Skale for over 30 years, gave a heartfelt and touching speech which highlighted how beloved she is by her patients and staff. He also thoughtfully described her typical workday to those in attendance, which included “eating cold soup right out of the can” because she did not have time to take a lunch break. You can see for yourself on page 3!

A huge surprise for Tracey was that Jeff Oak, the father of a former patient, traveled all the way from New York to be with her on this special night. He shared the amazing story of how her kindness and compassion along with the entire GCBHS team made such a huge difference in his son’s life.

Throughout the night several people referenced a plaque Dr. Skale kept on her desk for many years. It simply said, “Never, never, never, give up.” In a video tribute, many of her patients and their families mentioned that one of Tracey's amazing qualities is that she never gives up on people. Along with her tremendous heart, her dedication has been instrumental in their road to recovery.

Volunteers and GCBHS staffers Kelly Smith-Trondle (left) and Julie Viltrakis.

Hamilton County Mental Health & Recovery Services Board VP of MH and Addiction Services, Linda Gallagher (left) and President/CEO LaNora Godfrey.

GCBHS COO Jeff Kirschner presents the Community Partner award.

GCBHS Board member Grant Hesser (left) with Tom Sundermann.

GCBHS President & CEO, Jeff O'Neil (right) with special guest speaker Jeff Oak.

The much coveted Joe Burrow autographed helmet!

THANK YOU

to our generous sponsors

HERO SPONSOR CHAMPION SPONSOR HOPE SPONSOR

RECOVERY SPONSORS

WELLNESS SPONSORS

Barnes Dennig

Dr Larry and Lisa Graham Gallagher

Kapor Davis & Associates, LLC Mercy

PRESENTING SPONSOR CARE SPONSORS EMPOWERMENT SPONSORS

Community Partner Award Given to Tender Mercies

This year’s Community Partner Award was presented to Tender Mercies by Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services' (GCBHS) COO, Jeff Kirschner. Many in the audience did not know that Tender Mercies was born out of an idea by three clergymen living in Over-the-Rhine. They were concerned about the number of homeless individuals who were suffering from mental illness and about the lack of safe housing for them. In 1985, they took action. Starting with two apartments, Tender Mercies was born.

GCBHS and Tender Mercies have been formally working together for over 25 years now. Tender Mercies was part of the initial launch of PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness), which links individuals who have a mental illness and are experiencing homelessness, to community resources. That partnership has continued ever since. According to Jeff Kirschner, “We have had the great privilege of working side by side providing support and treatment services to those moving from homelessness into Tender Mercies Housing.”

Presently Tender Mercies operates 199 units that have housed over 3500 people (many of whom were GCBHS clients) over the past 39 years. Together, we have helped change lives!

Tender Mercies' CEO Russell Winters (left) accepted the Community Partner Award.

Saying

“Thank You” to a Dear

Friend & Colleague

Dr. Tracey Skale joined the staff at Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services (GCBHS) in 1993 and has served as the organization’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for over 20 years! During that time, she has treated thousands of patients, helped families heal, and made an indelible mark on the mental health community in Greater Cincinnati. She is also a well-respected speaker on diseases of the brain as well as an expert in psychopharmacology and neuroscience. And, although she is far from “truly” retiring, Dr. Skale will be saying goodbye to us at the end of June.

It’s hard to believe how quickly time has passed. Dr. Skale was Chief Resident in Psychiatry at University Hospital in 1992 when she decided to join GCBHS – then known as Queen City Mental Health Services. She wanted to work with people and help them get better. Says her husband Paul Keck, MD, “It was not a wildly popular thing to go into community mental health care. It takes someone with a special heart. They were desperately trying to recruit Tracey to stay. To teach, to do research, to provide clinical care…that’s a lot of pressure for a young resident. And that she was able to stand her ground and say ‘No! This is where my heart is', I think, speaks volumes.”

Tracey has spent her entire career trying to break down the stigma and barriers (both physical and mental) that her clients face. In a 2023 Cincinnati Enquirer article that addressed the downtown homeless population posing a safety threat, Dr. Skale wanted the community to know it’s the complete opposite. She told the reporter, “So many of my patients have had repeated head injuries from being kicked or pushed. They fear people. They don’t feel good enough, not deserving enough.”

She is a big believer in how one person can play an important part in your life, which is why she loves listening to people’s stories. “You

can learn something from every single person.” That philosophy and her ability to show kindness, empathy, and respect has paid off in the mutual admiration and love her clients have for her. A former client and Director of Community Engagement for the Recovery Center, Bill Brown, CPRS says, “What Tracey did for me was see right through the logistics that I was living in and saw who I was. And (that) gave me some hope that I could regain what I had lost to my illness. And that’s invaluable.”

Of course, Dr. Skale will also be remembered for her impeccable style. Another client, Mercedes, describes Tracey as…“kind, respectful, beautiful, and fly!” Giggling, she says, “She’s always on-point!”

When presenting Tracey with this year’s Champions of Hope Honoree Award, GCBHS President & CEO, Jeff O’Neil said, “She is literally part of the heartbeat of GCBHS.” He then launched into what a “typical” day might look like for Dr. Skale, before adding, “Imagine how incredibly caring, talented, and dedicated you have to be, to be doing this kind of regimen and at such a high level for so many years…. But through all of this amazing work she has profoundly impacted the lives of thousands.”

Several clients and their family members who were interviewed for a video tribute to Dr. Skale, said that she is truly a “Keeper of Hope.” According to Bill Brown, Tracey, “held onto hope for me, when I couldn’t hold onto my own. I carry my own now and I carry other people’s when I need to….and I learned it from her.”

Dr. Skale is pictured below with the Harmeyer family. Below that, we have photographic proof that Dr. Skale is so busy she really does eat "cold soup out of the can!"

GCBHS Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Tracey Skale, accepts her award.

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www.gcbhs.com

Helping our Community Shine One Grant at a Time

When you shop at your local Kohl's, you may see the displays for Kohl’s Cares® Goods for Good, but did you know that the money raised through the program helps organizations like Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services (GCBHS)?

Kohl’s Cares® Goods for Good are the books and stuffed animals that you see on display near checkout lanes and by entrances to the store. One hundred percent of the net profit from sales goes back into communities across the country.

GCBHS would like to thank Kohl's for granting us $25,000 for our Transitions to

Independence (TIP) program. TIP helps young people with a mental health diagnosis, transition to adulthood and become selfsufficient, productive members of our community. Many TIP clients do not have family support and struggle with housing and transportation, which is imperative if they are to provide for themselves and take care of basic needs.

The program is evidence-based and focuses on life areas such as living situation, education, employment, community life, physical & mental health, positive relationships, and good communication. The TIP team consists of a Transition Facilitator,

Psychiatrist, Youth Engagement Specialist, and a Counselor, who provide intensive services to assist youth in meeting their goals. Through the program they learn how to navigate the road to adulthood while making good decisions and managing their mental health issues to lessen the risk of long-term, intensive treatment.

If you know someone in Clermont or Hamilton counties who may benefit from TIP services, go to the open access page on the GCBHS website for additional information on how to complete an assessment.