Honoring Insight and Tenacity

Jonathan Delman uses his experience with Bi-polar disorder to help others who live with a mental illness shape meaningful research, services and treatment programs. He is one of 10 Community Health Leaders named this year by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Here's a portion of Delman's statement:

“I am honored and humbled to receive this important award," said Delman. "It was only 10 years ago that I was receiving Social Security Disability and Medicaid benefits. This recognition is certainly a credit to the many colleagues and family members who have supported me throughout this amazing journey. It will support my continued efforts to challenge the institutional norms of academic research, how it is conducted and how findings are utilized." Delman is recognized by both, mental health consumers and providers. In a letter of recommendation supporting his nomination for the award, Marylou Sudders, former commissioner of mental health for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, called Delman a "catalyst for change" with "unwavering belief and tenacity."

Delman started Consumer Quality Initiatives (CQI), a group that asks patients with a mental illness to evaluate services they receive and help train researchers and providers. His award includes a $20,000 personal gift and $105,000 to support the work at CQI.