RWJBarnabas Health Executive Connie Greene to be Honored by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey
The Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) is pleased to announce that Connie Greene, MA, CAS, CSW, Senior Vice President for the RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery has been chosen as an honoree for its 24th Annual Evening of Excellence and 80th Anniversary Celebration. Ms. Greene is being recognized for her leadership and pioneering work in behavioral health. This prestigious event will be held on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at The Park Savoy Estate in Florham Park, New Jersey.
“Since our first collaboration on the statewide mental health response to Superstorm Sandy in 2012, we’ve seen Connie Greene’s remarkable ability to turn ideas into action and work closely with others to implement innovative solutions in behavioral health. We are thrilled to honor her outstanding leadership,” said Carolyn Beauchamp, President and CEO of the Mental Health Association in New Jersey.
Under Ms. Greene’s leadership, the RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery has emerged as a national leader in prevention, intervention, recovery, tobacco treatment and workforce development, recognized for its exceptional training and educational programming.
“When I began working in this field as a treatment provider in 1977, there was minimal understanding of the science of the disease of addiction. Fortunately, we now recognize addiction as a treatable medical disease and understand the profound importance of addressing addiction stigma. Today, I work with a team dedicated to destigmatizing addiction, reducing barriers to care and creating a whole-person continuum of care for patients,” she said.
As co-chair of the RWJBarnabas Health Tackling Addiction Task Force, Ms. Greene has been pivotal in developing a multidisciplinary approach to addressing substance use disorder and enhancing pain management. The Task Force has established best practices and ensured high-quality care for patients, integrating over 100 peer recovery specialists into hospital teams, impacting 20,000 individuals annually.
In 2023 she was re-elected for a second term serving as Chairperson of the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Professional Advisory Committee for Addictions where she advocates for integrated, holistic system of care for people with substance use and co-occurring disorders. Recently elected Vice Chair of the New Jersey Behavioral Health Planning Council, she collaborates with community members and state staff to oversee DMHAS planning for the state’s mental health and substance abuse grants.
Ms. Greene is particularly proud of the growth and development of the RWJBarnabas Health Institute for Prevention and Recovery she has led. “Ten years ago, we had a staff of 30. Today, we are a team of 225. Together, we are reducing addiction stigma and building healthier communities across the state,” she said.
About the Mental Health Association in New Jersey’s Evening of Excellence
The Mental Health Association in New Jersey’s 24th Annual Evening of Excellence is a crucial fundraiser for the organization. Proceeds from the event will support its efforts to increase access to advocacy and services for people living with behavioral health conditions. The MHANJ is grateful to sponsors, including: at the Gold/Wellness and Recovery Level — RWJBarnabas Health; at the Silver/Anti-stigma Ambassador Level – Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Inserra Supermarkets, Inc., Janine and Dan Kane, Johnson & Johnson, Minette’s Angels, Otsuka, United Healthcare and Uwill; and at the Bronze/Education and Resilience Level – Bristol Myers Squibb, Citizens Bank, Community Access Unlimited, Delta Dental, Steven E. Geltzeiler, Legacy Treatment Services, Lexpath, Lundbeck and MikeWorldWide (MWW).
The Mental Health Association in New Jersey is a statewide non-profit organization whose mission is to strive for children and adults to achieve victory over mental illness and substance use disorders through advocacy, education, training and services. For more information visit https://www.mhanj.org/ or call 973-571-4100, ext. 123.
