Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Janice Buntz, Kate Casserly, Paula DeSanto, Senator Michelle Fischbach, Dr. Troy Hanson, Dr. James Jordan, Nicole Lynch, Timothy Walsh, and the reappointment of Robin Bode, Carol Cirocco, Barbara Holcomb, Representative Bud Nornes, and Marlyse Oswald to the State Advisory Council on Mental Health.

Buntz, of Minneapolis, is a founding board member of the Barbara Schneider Foundation, a nonprofit organization that collaborates with police and social services providers for training in crisis intervention. She is the co-chair of the Mt. Olivet Church Mental Illness Task Force. Buntz holds a bachelor of science degree in education from Concordia College in Moorhead. She is appointed as a family member representative to a four-year term that ends January 3, 2011. She replaces Atashi Acharya on the council.

Casserly, of Maple Grove, works for the Minneapolis Public Schools as part of a Safe School/Healthy Students grant to facilitate school-wide staff effectiveness and training in a number of areas including: bully and substance abuse prevention, mental health needs for students, and how to work with diverse learners. Casserly holds a master of science degree in adolescent nursing leadership and a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and criminal justice from the University of Minnesota. She is appointed as a parent of a child with mental illness to a four-year term that ends January 3, 2011. She replaces Mona Carter on the council.

DeSanto, of St. Paul, a licensed social worker, is the program director for People Incorporated, a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding meaningful ways to assist those who struggle with mental illness and other brain disorders. DeSanto holds a master of science degree in psychiatric rehabilitation counseling from Boston University and a bachelor of science degree in human relationships from the University of Minnesota. DeSanto is appointed as a representative of a provider of mental health services to a four-year term that ends January 3, 2011. She replaces Jannina Aristy on the council.

Fischbach, of Paynesville, is serving her fifth term in the Minnesota State Senate representing District 14. During her tenure in the Minnesota Senate, she has served on a number of health related committees and is a former member of the Rural Health Advisory Committee. Fischbach is the ranking minority member on the Health and Human Services Budget Division and has a special interest in how health care services are delivered. Fischbach has a bachelor of arts degree in political science from St. Cloud State University. She is appointed to fulfill a four-year term that expires January 7, 2008. She replaces Senator Leo Foley on the council.

Hanson, of New Prague, is a board certified family physician and medical doctor with Locum Tenens in Buffalo. He is the vice-chair of the Scott County Human Services Resource Council and a member of the Mental Health Advisory Committee. Hanson received his medical degree and is currently working on a master of public health degree from the University of Minnesota. Hanson is appointed as the family physician member of the council to fulfill a four-year term the ends January 7, 2008. He replaces Dr. Lyle Torguson on the council.

Jordan, of St. Paul, is a board certified psychiatrist and director of the Hamm Memorial Psychiatric Clinic in St. Paul. He is a clinical professor in the psychology department at the University of Minnesota and acts as a consultant to the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice. Jordan attended Loyola Medical School in Hines, Illinois and did his residency with the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Rochester. He is a member of the Ramsey Medical Society Board of Trustees, the Minnesota State Psychiatric Society, and Minnesota State Medical Association. Jordan is appointed as the member representing the discipline of psychology to a four-year term that ends January 3, 2011. He replaces Dr. Gary Christenson on the council.

Lynch, of Apple Valley, is a family psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner with Abbott Northwestern Hospital. She is currently working on her doctorate of nursing practice degree from the University of Minnesota. She has a master of arts degree as a family psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner from St. Scholastica in Duluth, and a bachelor of science degree in psychology from Augsburg College. Lynch is appointed as the member representing the discipline of nursing to fulfill a four-year term that ends January 7, 2008. She replaces Ethel Macheel on the council.

Walsh, of Hastings, a licensed psychologist, is the director of the Health and Human Services Division for Scott County. Walsh has worked in the mental health profession for over 20 years and has experience in counseling, treatment, and crisis intervention. He has served as a member of a number of state initiatives and work groups including the Mental Health Offender Act Advisory Group and the Children’s Mental Health Task Force. Walsh holds a master of arts degree in counseling psychology from the University of St. Thomas and a bachelor of arts degree in social science and psychology from Northwestern College in St. Paul. He is currently working on a doctoral degree in public administration at Hamline University. Walsh is appointed as the county social services director member to a four-year term that ends January 3, 2011. He replaces John Dinsmore on the council.

Bode, of LeCenter, is a licensed social services supervisor with St. Peter Regional Treatment Center. She provides direct clinical supervision to 27 licensed social workers and oversees performance, procedure development, and risk management. She is a member of the National Association for Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council and the president of the Consumer Survivors Network Board of Directors. Bode has a bachelor of science degree in social work and psychology from St. Cloud State University. She is reappointed as a consumer survivor network representative to a four-year term that ends January 3, 2011.

Cirocco, of Bemidji, a licensed social worker, is the owner of Four Winds Center for Wellness, Inc. She provides individual, group, and family therapy for clients of all ages. Cirocco is a member of the Bemidji State University Social Work Advisory Council and the University of Minnesota Duluth Social Work Distant Education Advisory Council. Cirocco holds a master of social work degree in child and family social work from Jane Addams School of Social Work at the University of Illinois, and a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Cirocco is reappointed as the member representing the discipline of social work to a four-year term that expires January 3, 2011.

Holcomb, of North Branch, is a certified personal care attendant with over 15 years of experience in the human services and mental health field. She is a member of the Consumer Survivor Network and a board member of the Salvation Army, Northern Unit in Roseville. Holcomb is reappointed as a consumer member to a four-year term that ends January 3, 2011.

Nornes, of Fergus Falls, represents the western half of Otter Tail County in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He was first elected in 1996 and is currently serving in his sixth term. Nornes serves on the E-12 Education; Early Childhood Learning Finance Division; Energy Finance and Policy Division; Higher Education and Work Force Development Policy and Finance Division; and Minnesota Heritage Finance Division committees. Nornes is reappointed as the member representing the Minnesota House of Representative to a four-year term that ends January 3, 2011.

Oswald, of Blue Earth, has experience as a certified nursing assistant, nursing home activity assistant, and as an employee of two homes for the developmentally disabled and mentally ill. Oswald is also the parent of an adult child with a mental illness. She is reappointed as a member who is a consumer of mental health services to a four-year term that expires January 3, 2011.

The State Advisory Council on Mental Health advises the Governor, legislature, and state agency heads about policy, programs, and services affecting people with mental illness. The Council is made up of 30 members appointed by the Governor.