ɫ��ɫ’s President and CEO, Anne Bakar, is honored to be participating in the future-focused efforts of two important groups: The California Future Health Workforce Commission and the Kennedy-Satcher Center for Mental Health Equity.

Anne is privileged to work alongside other leaders in the fields of health and mental health care, as well as state and national political leaders, as the groups plan, prepare for, and promote a new era of mental health equity, decreased stigma, and a robust, capable, diverse workforce.

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California Future Health Workforce Commission 

As we move further into the twenty-first century, the field of behavioral healthcare continues to advance alongside physical healthcare, requiring new skills, knowledge, and expertise. ɫ��ɫ's President and CEO, Anne Bakar, is honored and pleased to have the opportunity to serve as a California Future Health Workforce commissioner.

The Commission was funded by several large California healthcare foundations to develop a strategic plan to build the future healthcare workforce. This plan will include a set of practical short-, medium-, and longer-term solutions that can be adopted and implemented by the state, educational institutions, employers, and other stakeholders to address current and future gaps in the health workforce.

Along with other behavioral health leaders, Anne is also serving on the Behavioral Health Subcommittee to make recommendations to the broader Commission. As part of her work on the subcommittee, Anne is advocating for improvements such as enhanced behavioral health professions education, support for education and career development for unlicensed staff, removal of licensing and technology barriers for the future workforce, advancement of integrated care models, Peer Support Specialist Certification, and behavioral healthcare pay parity.

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Kennedy-Satcher Center for Mental Health Equity

(L-R): Ayanna Smith (MSM), Shemeka Dawson (MSM), Jerry Reed (NAB), Saul Levin (NAB), Joe Pyle (NAB), Anita Everett (NAB), Sharon Rachel (MSM), Glenda Wrenn (MSM), Patrick Kennedy, Arthur Evans (NAB), David Satcher, Nathaniel Counts (NAB), Mary Giliberti (NAB), Chirlaine McCray (NAB), Vivek Murthy (NAB), Anne Bakar (NAB), Eve Byrd (NAB), Carol McDaid (NAB), LeRoy Reese (MSM), Liz Camacho (MSM), Victor Ede (MSM), Megan Douglas (MSM), Sayon Cooper (MSM)

As the national conversation about healthcare continues to evolve, we must raise our voices and advocate for equal access, coverage, and care standards for mental healthcare.

The Kennedy-Satcher Center for Mental Health Equity (KSCMHE) was jointly envisioned by the 16th U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. David Satcher, and former U.S. Representative Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) to further discussion of the most important challenges and opportunities for advancing best practices and policies for people living with mental health and substance use disorders. Building on their longstanding relationship and shared commitment to promoting mental health parity and health equity for people living with mental health and substance use disorders, the Center, led by Director Glenda Wrenn, is a clear voice advocating for those we serve.

Anne Bakar is honored to serve on the , working closely with other national healthcare leaders to promote mental health equity on a national scale. The most recent Board meeting was held on November 27th, at the historic Morehouse School of Medicine.

(L-R) Supervisor Scott Haggerty, District 1; supervisor nate miley, District 4; Anne bakar, telecare president and ceo; supervisor wilma Chan, District 3; Supervisor Richard Valle, District 2. Not pictured: Supervisor Keith carson, District 5. 

ɫ��ɫ , was honored by the on January 9th, 2018, for her leadership in providing excellent mental health services in Alameda County.

Alameda County Board of Supervisors President, Wilma Chan, commended Anne for her strong advocacy for mental health, for her partnership with Alameda County since joining ɫ��ɫ in 1987, and for her success in guiding ɫ��ɫ’s expansion through turbulent healthcare cycles over the years. During Anne's tenure, ɫ��ɫ has grown from five Northern California inpatient programs in 1987, to more than 100 programs in eight states today.

Supervisor Chan also congratulated Anne on her for taking over as CEO of ɫ��ɫ 30 years ago and building the company into a “national powerhouse.”

Anne was also recognized by the Board of Supervisors for her work in numerous civic and community activities, including volunteering for the National Council of Behavioral Health, the World President’s Organization, and the Jewish Community Federation, and advising the UC Berkeley School of Public Health and the UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland, CA.

In closing, Anne addressed the Board of Supervisors, saying, “It never would have been possible if I had not had the support of this board and the collaboration from this county. I want to genuinely thank you for your belief and support in making these types of programs happen.”

“ɫ��ɫ has partnered with Alameda County since the late 70’s to provide a wide array of inpatient and outpatient services. Anne Bakar led the organization’s successful expansion through turbulent healthcare cycles over the years. We are very, very proud to have worked with her and are really impressed with the ɫ��ɫ’s programs and the wonderful staff.”

— Supervisor Wilma Chan, President

“Anne took ɫ��ɫ and she turned it into something very special. And I know that her father is certainly looking down and is extremely proud of what Anne has built; but more importantly, he would be proud of the much-needed services that she (and ɫ��ɫ) provide on a daily basis to people that are in need. That was the mission of ɫ��ɫ. That’s why her father started the business, along with his partner. That’s what they wanted to do. They wanted to help people. And that’s been Anne’s focus since she took over the business with the passing of her father.”

— Supervisor Scott Haggerty

“In becoming familiar with ɫ��ɫ and the staff and services that they provide to the mentally ill and other client populations, I’ve really come to admire both her [Anne] and her family-owned business. We’re just really pleased that they’re here in Alameda County and I hope they continue to provide quality service well into the future.”

— Supervisor Nate Miley

“I’ve had the privilege of having two good friends who were under your care at ɫ��ɫ, and both came back very positive. I appreciate that. I’ve only been there [to ɫ��ɫ programs] a couple of times and I look forward to visiting again. Congratulations.”

— Supervisor Richard Valle, Vice President

On November 9th, ɫ��ɫ President and CEO Anne Bakar was inducted into the Bay Area Council's Business Hall of Fame. Featured in the video below is a short video honoring Anne, as well as her acceptance speech. 

Anne Bakar was honored as a speaker at the Dean's Speaker Series at the Berkeley Haas School of Business on March 16, 2017.