Wayne Senfeld, Ed.S., LPC, senior vice president for behavioral health at Tanner Health System, will have a key role in impacting how Georgia addresses mental health.
Senfeld was appointed by
Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan to serve on the state’s new Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission.
The commission —
created by House Bill 514, which passed the General Assembly earlier this year with broad bipartisan support — brings together representatives from the legislative, executive and judicial branches of state government, public health officials and behavioral health experts to propose changes that will expand access to behavioral health care throughout Georgia.
“Mental health is an issue that impacts everyone in our state regardless of socio-economics, race, age or gender,” said Duncan in announcing the appointment. “Because of this, it is vital we take whatever steps necessary to evaluate the things we are doing right, as well as those things we could improve upon here in Georgia. I applaud the members of this commission who are ready and willing to provide their time and expertise to this important issue. I have no doubt their recommendations will be insightful and meaningful as we work together to ensure our best days are ahead of us.”
Senfeld was named a senior vice president at Tanner in 2012, where he is responsible for Willowbrooke at Tanner’s inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services. He received a 2012 Georgia Hospital Association Hospital Heroes Award for his advocacy of patient care, mental health and his progress in behavioral health program growth in the west Georgia area.
Senfeld joined Tanner in 1998 as a program manager and served in various positions before becoming the administrator of Willowbrooke at Tanner in 2008. Senfeld has since earned Georgia Hospital Association’s Community Leadership Award and was elected to the Georgia Hospital Association’s Board of Trustees in 2018.
In addition to his new role on the Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission, he also serves as chair of the Georgia Hospital Association’s Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Division committee and, since 2017, has served on the American Hospital Association’s Regional Policy Board.
“It’s an honor to be given this opportunity to help advance mental health access in Georgia,” said Senfeld. “Mental health affects all areas of health — both for the individual person and the community. Effective mental health services give people an opportunity to live healthy, productive lives. That’s what we hope to work toward for all the citizens of Georgia.”
The commission also features appointments from Gov. Brian Kemp, House Speaker David Ralston and Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton.
State Rep. Kevin Tanner, R-Dawsonville, will chair the commission.
More information on Willowbrooke at Tanner’s services, programs and locations can be found at
WillowbrookeAtTanner.org. Free, confidential mental health assessments can be scheduled by calling Willowbrooke at Tanner’s 24-hour help line at
770-812-9551.