BHECN names award recipients in six Nebraska counties

Each year, the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN) recognizes individuals who make a significant impact in the behavioral health field in the state of Nebraska. Awards are given annually for distinguished service, ambassadorship and courage.

“It is one of the highlights of our year to be able to honor individuals who are mentoring others and advocating greater awareness for behavioral health careers in Nebraska,” said BHECN Director Marley Doyle, MD. “My thanks and congratulations go to our 2020 honorees for making an impact on the future of behavioral health.”

This year, BHECN created the Champion Award, a new award category that recognizes professionals who are champions for behavioral health in their community.

“As we were reading through the award recommendations this year, it became clear that an additional award was needed to recognize behavioral health professionals who provide outstanding service to people living with mental illness,” said BHECN Ambassador Program Coordinator Ann Kraft. “We have had an award that recognizes consumers or family members (the courage award), but not one that specifically recognizes professionals.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, honorees will receive this year’s awards by mail, although BHECN leaders hope to eventually recognize honorees in a public setting.

The 2020 award recipients and the Nebraska communities in which they practice are:

• Distinguished Service Award – Hugo Gonzalez Nieto, MD, Kearney: The Distinguished Service Award is BHECN,s highest honor and given to individuals who provide inspirational leadership, service, advocacy and heart in support of the behavioral health workforce in Nebraska.
• Ambassador Award -Beatrice Kim Hill, PhD, Beatrice; Carrie Howton, PhD, Scottsbluff: The Ambassador Award recognizes individuals for their outstanding efforts in mentoring behavioral health students and trainees in Nebraska.
• Courage Award – Marian Perry-Burse, Omaha, and Havalynn Russell, Omaha: The Courage Award recognizes outstanding service and outreach to the community by a consumer of behavioral health services or a family member.
• Champion Award – Ann Young, Lexington, and Chelsea Turner, Chadron: The newly created Champion Award recognizes outstanding service and behavioral health outreach to the community by a professional.

See more information on the recipients.