DHSS Press Release |
Date: January 14, 2008 DHSS-10-2008 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
DHSS NAMES NEW HOSPITAL DIRECTOR FOR DELAWARE PSYCHIATRIC CENTER
New Castle DE - Husam E. "Sam" Abdallah, MAS has been named the new Delaware Psychiatric Center (DPC) Director by Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary of Delaware Health and Social Services. After a nationwide search, Mr. Abdallah was selected for his strong dedication to patient care, proven track record of enhancing the performance of psychiatric facilities and outstanding wealth of knowledge in the field. He will officially begin work on February 11, 2008.
Mr. Abdallah currently serves as the Section Chief / Complex Administrator for Greystone Park Psychiatric Hospital in Greystone Park, New Jersey where he oversees the care of more than 200 patients and supervises nearly 500 staff members. Mr. Abdallah has been employed by Greystone Park since 2000 and advanced through a number of leadership positions before being appointed Section Chief / Complex Administrator in 2005.
"Mr. Abdallah's hiring as the DPC Hospital Director represents an exciting new chapter for the DPC and its dedicated team of employees," said Meconi. "We are eager to draw on Mr. Abdallah's expertise and experience to develop additional programs, policies and strategies to further enhance patient care and improve hospital procedures, employee management and internal communications."
"I am very pleased to have Mr. Abdallah at the helm of DPC," said Renata Henry, Director, Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health. "His years of experience, combined with his successful performance improvement efforts in the field, will surely assist us in addressing the challenges and opportunities before us.
As DPC Hospital Director, Mr. Abdallah will manage the day-to-day operations of the state psychiatric hospital with the goal of delivering quality and cost-efficient patient services. DPC provides care to 240 patients, has an annual budget of $40 million and has a multi-disciplinary staff of 500 professionals.
"I am honored to be a part of this team and excited to get in there to assess the system's needs," said Sam Abdallah. "We will make changes and improvements as needed to provide a safe, secure and therapeutic environment for our patients, the staff that serve them and our visitors."
Mr. Abdallah received his Master's of Administrative Sciences from Fairleigh Dickinson University and his Bachelor of Science degree from Upsala College in East Orange, New Jersey.
Guy Perrotti, who has been serving as acting director of the Delaware Psychiatric Center since late last fall, will return to his position as Director of the Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities.
In addition to his responsibilities at Greystone, Mr. Abdallah is a Faculty Member of Fairleigh Dickinson University in their School of Administrative Science Master's program and has instructed on Workplace Violence for Rutgers University Center for Management Development. He is a certified mental health screener for the state of New Jersey, mental health educator, non-violent crisis intervention educator and Pre/Post Crisis Responder.
Delaware Psychiatric Center has been serving Delaware citizens since 1886. The mission of Delaware Psychiatric Center is to provide treatment in a consumer centered environment that supports recovery. Delaware Psychiatric Center is one member in a continuum of providers offering effective treatment to individuals who have mental health/substance use conditions. Through collaboration with consumers and community partners, Delaware Psychiatric Center helps individuals reach their maximum level of wellness with the goal of community integration.
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
