Former Advocate On Mental Illness Now To Direct Mass. Public Health Group

This just in from the Massachusetts Public Health Association:

Boston, MA – The board of directors of the Massachusetts Public Health Association has appointed Toby Fisher, MBA, MSW, to serve as the organization’s new Executive Director. Mr. Fisher, who has twenty years of experience in health and human services, is a proven statewide leader, a visible force on Beacon Hill, and a well-known alliance builder. He will lead the Massachusetts Public Health Association in the next phase of its work to promote the wellbeing of all Massachusetts residents – including ensuring effective implementation of the $60 million Prevention and Wellness Trust recently established as part of Massachusetts cost control legislation.

Mr. Fisher previously served as Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts (NAMI-Mass), an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with mental illnesses and their families. During his tenure at NAMI-Mass, Mr. Fisher was instrumental in launching the country’s largest mental health walk and established NAMI as a clear statewide political leader. His work with NAMI led to numerous awards and citations, including the Commonwealth's prestigious Lilo McMillan Award for statewide activism. Most recently he launched FundMentalHealth.org, which is a statewide partnership of families, providers, and unions whose advocacy led to the recent restoration of $16 million in desperately needed mental health funding.