TEMPE, Ariz. - GeorgiaChron -- Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies (CGI) proudly celebrated the graduation of seven new Doctors of Behavioral Health (DBH) during the DBH commencement ceremony held on September 12, 2024 in Chandler, Arizona. The event honored a diverse group of healthcare visionaries committed to advancing integrated behavioral health through leadership, innovation, and advocacy.

Graduate Highlights:

Dr. William Chum, DBH, LMHC

Founder of Woodside Mental Health and Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Dr. Chum specializes in serving Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. His culminating project, AANHPI Resilience Project: The Vital Role of Culturally Appropriate Screening in Equitable Healthcare Practices, focuses on culturally appropriate mental health screening to improve equitable care for AANHPI populations. By addressing language access, cultural stigma, and unique community stressors, his work supports a more inclusive model of behavioral health integration. Dr. Chum continues to lead advocacy and education efforts through the nonprofit organization born from this project.

Dr. Rachel Grimes, DBH, LCSW

A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Clinical Supervisor, and trauma therapist, Dr. Grimes works at a Cystic Fibrosis care center in Texas, where she enhanced integrated behavioral health services. Her culminating project, The Lived Trauma Experiences of Adult Patients with Cystic Fibrosis, highlights the importance of trauma-informed care for this vulnerable population. The study revealed that Cystic Fibrosis patients face chronic exposure to traumatic experiences in healthcare, reinforcing the need for routine trauma screening and tailored support. Dr. Grimes also brings EMDR therapy into both her clinical and private practice to support patient healing.

Dr. Kristin McQueeney, DBH, MS, MEd, LPC, NCC

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Dr. McQueeney has a background in counseling and educational psychology, which informs her commitment to supporting young people's mental health. Her culminating project, The Eclipse Project: Transitioning from Pediatric Mental Health to Adult Mental Health, is a comprehensive curriculum designed to assist youth as they transition from pediatric to adult mental health services. The program fosters health literacy, self-advocacy, and continuity of care during a period often marked by service gaps. Dr. McQueeney aims to implement the model statewide and expand its reach through partnerships with schools and healthcare systems.

Dr. Juan Sanchez, DBH, MSW, MA

A veteran and Social Worker, Dr. Sanchez addresses substance use challenges in his community, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, through his culminating project Medical Detoxification with Follow-On Integrated Behavioral Health Services, advocating for integrated care solutions in underserved regions. His work is rooted in both lived experience and community need, as Rio Arriba County continues to face one of the nation's highest overdose rates. The proposed model emphasizes continuity of care from detox to recovery, helping to break cycles of relapse and isolation.

Dr. Selena Schmidt, DBH, MSN, MJ, PMHNP-BC

A board-certified Holistic Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and executive leader in behavioral health, Dr. Schmidt was named a Notable Leader by Crain's Business in 2023. Her culminating project, Continuous Educational Opportunities (CEO), LLC, is an innovative online platform providing integrative, evidence-based education tailored to diverse learners co-created with Dr. Wims-Madden. The platform is designed to democratize access to continuing education through flexible formats, affordability, and learner-centered design. Dr. Schmidt's work bridges policy, leadership, and frontline care to support system-wide transformation.

Dr. Jennifer Wims-Madden, DBH, MSN, PMHNP-BC

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A board-certified Adult Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and educator, Dr. Wims-Madden has nearly two decades of experience in mental health care. She co-developed her culminating project, Continuous Educational Opportunities (CEO), LLC, with Dr. Schmidt to transform continuing education for healthcare professionals and lifelong learners. Drawing on her clinical experience and passion for teaching, she helped design the platform's trauma-informed content and user-friendly interface. The initiative supports healthcare workforce development and promotes integrative care literacy across professions.

Dr. Jason Young, DBH, MS

A managed care expert with two decades of experience, Dr. Young's culminating project, Integrative Care in Oncology, examines gaps in oncology care for Latina women and advocates for a holistic, integrated model addressing physical and behavioral health needs. Inspired by his own family's experience, the project highlights the importance of cultural humility and wraparound support for patients facing complex diagnoses. Dr. Young's vision includes advancing health equity through policy change and cross-sector collaboration.

'CGI graduates are different," said Dr. Cara English, CEO and CAO of CGI. "Not only do they fundamentally understand that the person seeking care must be restored to the center of care design, they passionately pursue joining with the individual to get to the root causes of their health concerns so that they can experience relief as soon as possible and without developing dependence on the clinician or system. These Doctors of Behavioral Health are innovating healthcare with a better quality of life for all as their compass. I am so proud of their work."

The DBH program at CGI prepares healthcare professionals to lead transformative change in integrated behavioral healthcare delivery through advanced education, research, and collaboration. Graduates are equipped to address complex health challenges across medical, behavioral, and community systems.

For more about the graduates and the DBH program, visit cgi.edu.

About Cummings Graduate Institute

Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies is a nonprofit, DEAC-accredited, online institution of higher learning offering post-graduate education and training in the field of integrated behavioral healthcare. CGI is focused on meeting the healthcare industry's need for a highly-skilled workforce to support an integrated approach to addressing patients' needs.