Interview with Eve Byrd, April 12, 2017

Eve Byrd talks about her and Tom Bornemann’s reaction to the series of exposé articles published in The Atlanta-Journal Constitution over the care of patients in Georgia mental state hospitals. Byrd describes her experience working with Dr. William McDonald, chair of the Fuqua Center for Late-Life Depression, as a supporter of the conversation between stakeholders, medical professionals, and community leaders. Byrd explains how mental health representatives on behalf of the State Department of Georgia partnered with the Fuqua Center for Late-Life Depression at Emory University in the efforts to reform parts of the mental healthcare system of Georgia. Byrd explains her present work as the Director of The Carter Center for Mental Health programs. Byrd reflects how the settlement agreement was carried out in a timely and effective manner, and she gives special recognition to the officials of The Carter Center Mental Health Program who assisted in beneficial developments for patients and stakeholders despite political tensions.
Eve Byrd earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Nursing, a master’s degree in Psychosocial Nursing from Florida State University, and a master’s in Public Health from Emory University. yrd was a faculty member at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing at Emory University. She held the position of executive director of the Fuqua Center for Late-Life Depression before she became the director of The Carter Center’s Mental Health Program in February 2017. Additionally, Byrd has experience with behavioral health policy as a consultant to the Georgia Division of Aging, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, and the Atlanta Regional Commissioner.
Eve Byrd's role during the settlement agreement between the Georgia State Mental Health Program and the Department of Justice was in engaging stakeholders and supporting the Special Advisor to the Governor on Mental Health.

2017-04-12

RBRL391GDC-009

38 minutes