AHA & CredibleMind Multi-Session Forum
AHA Affinity Forum Session #1: Community Health Strategies to Advance Behavioral Health
Session Overview
In the AHA Affinity Forum session #1, we discussed how hospitals are uniquely positioned to move from being the place of last resort to the organization of first support for behavioral health.
Experts shared how prevention, early screening, and digital “front doors” can help hospitals support three overlapping communities (patients, staff, and local residents) while easing pressure on limited clinical resources.
What You’ll Learn:
- Learn how hospitals are addressing behavioral health across their service area, workforce, and patients.
- How digital tools are improving access and awareness
- Examples of hospital-led initiatives that integrate prevention and partnerships
- What’s next in the evolution of community-based behavioral health
Panelists

Deryk Van Brunt, DrPH
CEO, CredibleMind & Clinical Professor, UC Berkeley School of Public Health
Deryk Van Brunt is a co-founder of CredibleMind and serves as CEO. He is also President and CEO of the Healthy Communities Foundation, a nonprofit organization. He teaches health informatics at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health, and conducts research in the area of individual and community health information systems. Dr. Van Brunt has overseen the creation, development, and evaluation of clinical and patient-centered information systems implemented in over 500 healthcare institutions. He has authored several health-related articles and is the recipient of the Health 2.0 Outstanding Leadership Award for 2022. Dr. Van Brunt received his MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics and his DrPH in Health Informatics from the University of California, Berkeley.

Nancy Myers
Vice President of Leadership and System Innovation, American Hospital Association
Nancy Myers is a seasoned healthcare leader with a strong track record in health system redesign and population health strategy. Currently serving as Vice President at the American Hospital Association, she has successfully driven initiatives that align payer and provider goals, resulting in significant cost savings and improved patient outcomes. With a PhD in Medical Sociology, Nancy combines her academic expertise with practical experience in clinical transformation and quality improvement. She has a passion for coaching and leading multi-disciplinary teams towards a culture of excellence. Nancy’s career reflects her commitment to integrating social determinants of health into healthcare practices, ensuring comprehensive care delivery. Her extensive experience spans both the delivery and payer sides of healthcare, making her a versatile leader in the industry. Outside of her professional achievements, she is known for her engaging public speaking and teaching abilities, inspiring others in the field.

Arpan Waghray, MD
Chief Executive Officer, Providence’s Well Being Trust
Dr. Arpan Waghray is a geriatric psychiatrist and CEO of Providence’s Well Being Trust, a national foundation advancing mental, social, and spiritual health. He also serves as Chief Medical Officer of Behavioral Medicine at Providence, one of the nation’s largest nonprofit health systems. A nationally recognized leader in mental health, he has held advisory roles with the American Psychiatric Association, Catholic Health Association, and American Hospital Association. Trained in India, New York, and Washington, Dr. Waghray is widely published and featured as an expert on mental health and well-being. He lives in Seattle with his wife and two daughters.

Jonathan Adler, MD, MS, FACEP
Chief Medical Officer & Co-Editor-in-Chief, CredibleMind
Jon Adler serves as the Chief Medical Officer and Co-Editor-in-Chief of CredibleMind. A dedicated clinician and teacher at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School for 22 years, he served as an editor of the New England Journal of Medicine, NEJM Journal Watch, eMedicine.com (now the Medscape Reference by WebMD) and authored or edited 14 books. Jon earned his M.S. in Aerospace Engineering and M.D. from University of Colorado and is an emergency physician with Beth Israel Lahey Health.
Explore the latest resources
AHA Affinity Forum: Advancing Population-Based Behavioral Health Inside and Outside the Hospital Walls
Explore how hospitals and health systems can leverage digital innovation and population health strategies to improve health outcomes.
Transforming Behavioral Health Access in California
Discover How Monterey County Tripled Engagement, Lowered Costs, and Reached Underserved Communities with WellScreen.
Request a demo.
We’d love to share more with you about population-based mental health and how you can empower your communities, members, or workplaces to flourish.