News Around the State

Thames and McEwen Named Leading Business Women

Pictured are (l to r) Ann Thames, Director of the Bureau of Workforce Development and Training; Ed LeGrand, DMH Executive Director; and Dorothy McEwen, Director of South Mississippi Regional Center.

The Mississippi Department of Mental Health (DMH) recently announced Ann Coleman Thames of Brandon and Dorothy Roberts McEwen of Long Beach have been selected as two of the Top 10 Mississippi Business Journal’s “50 Leading Business Women” for 2009. Thames and McEwen were honored at a reception on April 8 at the Mississippi Trade Mart.

“There are no two women more deserving of this honor than Ann and Dorothy,” said Ed LeGrand, DMH Executive Director. “They serve as role models because of their dedication and love for the people we serve. I am proud of their accomplishments and their continued devotion to helping Mississippians with mental health needs. ”

Thames, a native of Oxford, has worked for DMH for 34 years. She currently serves as the Director of the Bureau of Workforce Development and Planning; however she will be retiring on April 30. In 2007, Thames led the way in the development of the Department’s Accelerated Leadership Development Program, “Focus”  to offer employees a unique opportunity to hone their skills to greater and higher personal performance and self-awareness. 

In 2008, Thames was the recipient of the Bradley A. Sanders Service Award which honors a person who has made outstanding contributions in the field of behavioral healthcare management in Mississippi. Thames is a certified mental retardation therapist, licensed mental health/mental retardation administrator, certified public manager and a graduate of the Stennis Institute. She received the Outstanding Student Award from Mississippi State University in 2000 where she received her second Master’s degree in Public Policy and Administration.

McEwen has worked for DMH for 20 years. She currently serves as Director of South Mississippi Regional Center in Long Beach. The Center serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. McEwen has also worked at DMH’s Specialized Treatment Facility in Gulfport. In 2008, she graduated from the Department’s Accelerated Leadership Development Program “Focus.”

McEwen is a board member for several organizations including the Mississippi Humanities Council, Back Bay Mission, and MS KIDS COUNT. She is former president of the MS Chapter of National Association of Social Workers. McEwen is a licensed clinical mental retardation therapist, licensed certified social worker, certified public manager, and a licensed mental health/mental retardation administrator.

Dorothy McEwen Named SMRC Director

 

Dorothy Roberts McEwen will assume the office of Director of South Mississippi Regional Center in Long Beach, effective May 1. SMRC provides services to citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the six southern counties. McEwen, currently SMRC’s Assistant Director, has been employed with the Department of Mental Health since 1990, serving as the Director of Social Services at SMRC for 15 years, and as Clinical Director/Program Services Director at the Specialized Treatment Facility in Gulfport for two years.

In 2008, McEwen graduated from the DMH FOCUS Program, an accelerated leadership development training. She is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi School of Social Work where she earned her Master of Social Work degree. She is a Licensed Certified Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Mental Retardation Therapist and Mental Health/Mental Retardation Administrator, and a Certified Public Manager.

McEwen has an extensive background with various professional and civic organizations, holding membership in the National Association of Social Workers, the American Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the MS Humanities Council, KIDS COUNT Advisory Board, YMCA of the MS Gulf Coast and the USM Gulf Park Social Work Program Advisory Board. In 2001, the Mississippi Chapter of the NASW recognized McEwen as Social Worker of the Year. This same year, she was also honored by being chosen as the Outstanding Career Woman of the MS Gulf Coast by the Lighthouse Business and Professional Women, an organization whose mission is to achieve equity for all women in the workplace. She is a 2002 graduate of Leadership Gulf Coast and was recognized as the 2004 Distinguished Alumni for the USM College of Health.

McEwen’s family is well known to the MS Gulf Coast Community. Her late father, Lawrence E. Roberts, was a retired Air Force Colonel who began his military career as a Tuskegee Airman. Her mother, Lucimarian Roberts, is recognized for her community service.

Dr. Baker to retire on April 30

 

Dr. Pamela C. Baker, Director of South Mississippi Regional Center (SMRC), will retire on April 30 after more than three decades in State government administration.

Since 1983, Dr. Baker has served as Director of SMRC in Long Beach. South MS Regional Center provides community and residential supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the six southern counties.

“When I joined North Mississippi Regional Center as a speech pathologist in 1978, little did I know the wonderful ways in which God would change my life over the next thirty years,” said Dr. Baker. “I will always hold in highest regard the Department’s leadership, the Board and many treasured colleagues with whom I have worked. They have inspired and energized me with their dedication to Mississippi’s citizens.”

Dr. Baker is past President and Fellow of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disability and past President of the Association of Public Developmental Disabilities Administrators, nationally elected offices that she held simultaneously. During her career, she taught at the University of Mississippi, William Carey University and Itawamba Community College. Prior to her tenure at SMRC, Dr. Baker worked as a speech pathologist at the North MS Regional Center and the Jackson Public Schools. She is a Certified Public Manager, a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and Certified Speech Pathologist.

“Dr. Baker is an inspiration to us all,” said Ed LeGrand, DMH Executive Director. “She is truly dedicated to making the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities better. It is difficult to imagine the Department without her. We will miss her dearly.”