Kevin Osten-Garner, Psy.D., Executive Director of Adler Community Health Services, will join the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Advisory Committee on Interdisciplinary, Community-Based Linkages. The Committee provides advice and recommendations on policy and program development to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. 

Dr. Osten-Garner has been appointed for a three-year term that was approved by the United States Health and Human Services Secretary. This role provides direct health policy and funding priority recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and both chambers of Congress, including training programs for education centers, geriatrics, rural health, allied health, mental and behavioral health. The committee meetings invite the public to comment on their needs and recommendations to improve health in their lives and community wellbeing.  

“We are one avenue for the public to have their voice heard by their elected representatives on what matters to them in health equity and policy,” Dr. Osten-Garner said. “I am looking forward to listening to Americans across the country share their ideas for health equity and means to grow health and mental health resiliency.” 

Dr. Osten-Garner’s portfolio includes institutional training and community engagement in which he has learned about gaps in the U.S. health system across the country and internationally. This opportunity will allow him to address and advocate for equitable health policy as a socially responsible practitioner.  

“I hope to lend my experience to advance interprofessional collaborative practice in our health system, grow health equity, and address the public health and mental health workforce and funding shortage in disinvested urban and rural areas,” Dr. Osten-Garner said.