Each month, Oklahoma Behavioral Health Association brings together its Members to discuss current industry trends and news from the organization. OBHA membership meetings are also key opportunities for Members and Partners to network amongst each other, create new business relationships, and stay up to date on developments within their fields. Finally, monthly meetings give Members the chance to meet invited public and private sector leaders, vendors and speakers in a closed, intimate setting. The monthly speaker will be announced prior to each meeting.

Continuing Education credits (1.5 hours) are available for most meetings. Lunch is provided.

Member price: FREE
Non Member price: $35.00
Online registration is available to all members and non-members closing each month on the Friday before the meeting.

Commander Karen Hearod, LSCW

SAMHSA Regional Administrator

As a SAMHSA Regional Administrator, Karen Hearod oversees Region 6, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma & Texas.

1301 Young Street
Suite 1030
Dallas, TX 75202
Karen.Hearod@samhsa.hhs.gov(link sends e-mail)

• National Resources
• Region 6 Resources

CDR Karen Hearod is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Prior to accepting her new role as Regional Administrator, CDR Hearod served as the Indian Health Service Oklahoma City Area Acting Behavioral Health Consultant. In this position CDR Hearod had oversight over behavioral health and substance abuse programs across Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas providing services impacting 410,00 Native Americans. In addition to providing leadership as Chair for the IHS National Zero Suicide Advisory Committee, she served as a member of the National Suicide Crisis Policy Committee working to establish the first IHS national suicide care policy.

During her federal career, CDR Hearod has served as the Chief Behavioral Health Officer for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. In this role, Hearod oversaw a behavioral health system which spanned the area equivalent to the size of Vermont including 13 facilities and 90 staff. She was successful in seeking out and implementing multiple grants addressing substance abuse and suicide prevention, sexual assault forensic treatment and prevention, HIV and teen pregnancy prevention, and cardiovascular disease prevention. She led the creation of the Choctaw Nation Wind Horse Treatment Center providing family centered substance abuse prevention and treatment services for high risk families in an area with little access to care. She also facilitated the transition to a fully integrated Electronic Health Record for Behavioral Health with Choctaw Nation Health programs greatly improving continuity of care.

CDR Hearod joins the team of 10 Regional Administrators subsequent to the retirement of Mr. Michael Duffy who served in this position since its inception. SAMHSA’s Regional Offices provide expertise on behavioral health and a link between SAMHSA and other Federal agencies, States, behavioral health service providers, community-based organizations and others in the region.