Quarterly Membership Meeting - March 2021

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), Mental Health Support and Behavioral Health resources available - this meeting will feature the following discussion points:

• Identifying employee warning signs of disengagement and management techniques
• Resources for employers
• Overall mental health support and resources for employers/employees
• Student wellness and resources

Featuring panelists from Nationwide Children's You Matter program, Otterbein Director of Counseling Services, Student Wellness, OhioHealth Employee Assistance Program, Mount Carmel St. Ann's and facilitated by Linda Jakes, Executive Director of Concord Counseling.

Dr. Brandon Kozar is a licensed clinical psychologist, Director of Leadership Coaching & Development and Director of the YOU Matter staff support program for Nationwide Children's Hospital. His primary work focuses on developing services to support the emotional wellness of hospital staff, developing hospital leaders, and supporting NCH Chiefs of Medicine in growing and managing their divisions. Dr. Kozar specializes in leadership coaching, interpersonal and team dynamics, personality assessment, and employee emotional wellness. He is a frequent presenter on topics related to emotional intelligence, stress management, resiliency, wellness, and interpersonal communication.
Born and raised in northeast Ohio, Dr. Kozar graduated Magna Cum Laude from John Carroll University with a Bachelor's of Science in psychology. He concurrently achieved his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and his Masters in Business Administration with a specialty in organizational development and leadership from Wright State University. He currently lives in Columbus, Ohio and enjoys living an active lifestyle with his wife Allison and their two sons, Connor and Carter.

Dr. Kathy Ryan is the Director of the Counseling Center at Otterbein University, which offers a full range of clinical and outreach services for a population of 2500 undergraduate and graduate students.   She provides vision and leadership regarding campus mental health planning and initiatives, strategic direction and clinical/administrative oversight of staff, and maintains a limited caseload, along with crisis response availability.  Kathy loves the culture of respect, vitality, and inquisitive spirit among students and staff alike.   
 
Prior to opening the Counseling Center in 2015, Kathy was part of a busy private practice, Northeast Psychology Associates, in Westerville.  She simultaneously worked with various local colleges and at Chase Bank as part of their Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Critical Incidents Stress Debriefing (CISD) teams, as well as for Strathman Associates, providing leadership workshops and communication seminars, both locally and nationally.  Kathy has enjoyed collaborating with community partners on many service projects, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Concord Counseling Center. 
 
In her free time, Kathy enjoys watching sporting events and programs, walking her beagle, LucyLu, and being active outdoors, especially enjoying the sunshine!


Heather Herron Murphy is the Manager of the OhioHealth Employee Assistance Program and Mindfulness Program. She is a passionate advocate for the well-being and resilience of those who serve and is a leader on the OhioHealth Well-Being Collaborative. She has led numerous initiatives to support associates and providers including most recently the creation of a well-being hotline to support during COVID and beyond. Ms. Herron Murphy has a BA in Sociology and Women’s Studies. An OhioHealth associate for over 20 years, Ms. Herron Murphy has also served in a leadership role with Outpatient Behavioral Health and Sexual Violence Services.


Rick Gehlbach is a counselor in Behavioral Health Services serving the OhioHealth Employee Assistance Program. With a diverse background serving the mental and emotional health of adults and adolescents including individual, couples, family and group counseling therapies; Rick brings a wide range of experience and education to support his clients. His work with Mid-Ohio Psychological Services includes the development of a research based substance abuse program, conduction of quality assurance activities as well as co-authoring the review of the agency's sex offender program. Rick is a Member of the American Counseling Association and graduate of Muskingum College and Ohio University. 

Mandi Pierson, Mount Carmel Health System, Clinical Social Worker for the Crime and Trauma Assistance Program (CTAP)

Linda has been a staff member of Concord Counseling Services for 33 years. In 1987 she began working at Concord as their Community Treatment Team Leader, and in 2001 she was promoted to Clinical Director of Case Management Services.  Because of her extraordinary skill and dedication to the clients and staff she became the agency Clinical Director in 2007, and in 2012 she became the Associate Director.  The programs Linda manages at Concord have long been approaches that incorporate support and community integration to increase community living days. This program and Linda were highlighted in John Kasich's book Courage Is Contagious.