Tom will be leveraging his extensive experience in multiple industries to address how behavioral health providers can transform the way they think and work. He will discuss where we need to take behavioral health care agencies and facilities in the next era, using lessons learned from the public health emergency over the past two years and evaluating workplace traditions that need to evolve. He will share his approaches for provider and agency survival in this very challenging workforce environment – rethinking compensation and how we collaborate with colleagues and sharing innovative ways to help break down barriers to care. Tom’s approach includes sharing methods to empower all of us for change versus relying on policy directives. He will also help reinforce the importance of self-management, which is especially critical for behavioral health providers to avoid vicarious trauma. Finally, Tom will share what actions the disruptors in this industry are taking and how we must adapt if we are to successfully grow sustainable clinical practices focused, first and foremost, on patients and getting them the care they need.

The views and opinions expressed by the speakers at the conference do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Optum.