Julie Clark, J.D., Joins Mental Health America as V. P. of Healthcare Reform

Julie Clark, an experienced public policy advocate and attorney, joined Mental Health America in July as the organization’s new vice president of Healthcare Reform.

Clark leads Mental Health America’s Healthcare Reform Department, which develops state initiatives and advocacy efforts to influence policies in the health, mental health and substance abuse areas.

“Julie is an outstanding addition to our team,” said David Shern, Ph.D., president and CEO of Mental Health America. “Her leadership and extensive background in mental health and disability issues and knowledge of both federal and state healthcare policy will be invaluable in our advocacy and policy efforts.”

Clark brings to the position more than 30 years of experience in implementing, advocating and shaping public policy in the mental health, disability, employment and aging fields.

She came to Mental Health America from the Office of Disability Employment Policy at the U.S. Department of Labor, where she was a Senior Policy Advisor. Previously, she founded a public policy research firm, ConnectABILITY, and held positions at the National Council on Independent Living and the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law.

Among her many honors, Clark was the recipient of the Secretary of Labor’s Exceptional Achievement Award in 2006. She was also awarded the Mental Health Community Achievement Award in 1996 from the Washington Psychiatric Society.

In 1995, she was selected by the President as one of 15 “Distinguished Americans” to participate in the 5th Anniversary celebration and discussion of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Julie received her undergraduate degree from Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan, and her law degree from George Mason University in Virginia.

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