Mr. Dennis O. Romero Appointed Regional Administrator Of SAMHSA

I am pleased to announce that The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an operating division within the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), has appointed Mr. Dennis O. Romero to serve as the first Regional Administrator of SAMHSA in Region II. Most recently, Mr. Romero served as the Acting Director of SAMHSA’s Office of Indian Alcohol and Substance Abuse.

As the SAMHSA Regional Administrator, Mr. Romero will help SAMHSA reach out to and provide information to States, Territories, Tribes, providers, communities and other stakeholders, whether about funding opportunities, federal policies affecting them, or disaster preparedness and response. He will also make it easier for SAMHSA to collaborate with other HHS colleagues in the regional offices and be better informed about behavioral health needs throughout the region.

Mr. Romero has extensive experience in the fields of administration, program development, and as a seasoned clinician has served in numerous clinical capacities. Among them, Mr. Romero has served as the Deputy Director of the Alcoholism Council of New York (ACNY), in New York City as well as the Assistant to the Director of Mental Health at the William F. Ryan Community Health Center in New York City, one of the Nation’s largest and most comprehensive community-based health organizations. As the Inpatient Programs Manager at the Ellis Hospital Department of Psychiatry, in Schenectady, NY, he was directly involved with health care delivery systems, especially as they relate to managed care and quality assurance, Medicaid, and other issues of health care reform. He was instrumental in establishing an adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit as part of the comprehensive psychiatric services of Ellis Hospital as well as serving as the mental health liaison to the county.

Mr. Romero has served on the board of many professional committees, advisory boards, and commissions (at the Federal, state and local levels) that address both local and regional issues related to behavioral health issues and prevention, as well as allied social and educational issues. Currently serves an active member of the National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives. In 2008, he received the National Pearl Award for his dedication and contribution to Hispanic Families by the National Hispanic Family Initiative. Mr. Romero was also recognized by The Pacific Substance Abuse and Mental Health Collaborating Council (PSAMHCC) of the Pacific Jurisdictions at the Annual Conference for supporting and recognizing the great work of local providers. In 2007, he was recognized by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, Office For Addictive Disorders. In 1997, he received, by a public vote, the prestigious appointment to the New York State Board of Regents to the Committee of Professional Assistance Program under the Office of the Professions where he served in many capacities including Chair of the Committee. He is also the recipient of numerous other awards, honors and recognitions. He has been invited to offer reports and testimony before congressional hearings and at state legislatures in his capacity as a senior executive within SAMHSA and as a member of the substance abuse prevention / treatment community.

Earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy and Psychology from Cathedral College, Mr. Romero also holds a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from Manhattan College. He received post-graduate training at the State University of New York (SUNY), Albany Campus.

We are very pleased to have Mr. Romero join the leadership team of HHS in Region II. Mr. Romero began his new duties shortly after the New Year.

Thank you!

Jaime R. Torres, DPM, MS
Regional Director, Region II (NY, NJ, PR,VI)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
26 Federal Plaza, Suite 3835
New York, New York 10278