Lake County ADAMHS Board Celebrates a Year of Milestones, Honors Community Champions at Annual Meeting
MEDIA RELEASE:
Contact: David Schick
The Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board
Phone: 440-350-2193
Email: DSchick@LakeADAMHS.org
For Immediate Release: June 17, 2025
Lake County ADAMHS Board Celebrates a Year of Milestones, Honors Community Champions at Annual Meeting
Eastlake, OH – The Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board gathered on June 16 for its Annual Meeting, a night marked by celebration, reflection, and renewed purpose. The evening honored outgoing leaders, welcomed new ones, and recognized individuals who made an extraordinary impact on the behavioral health system in Lake County.
Pamela Kurt officially stepped into the role of Chair of the ADAMHS Board for Fiscal Year 2026, succeeding Roberta Kalb, who now serves as Past Chair. Joining Kurt on the Executive Committee are Nicole Parker (Vice Chair), Mike Hatton (Treasurer), and Jeffrey Taylor (Secretary). Together, they will continue the Board’s mission to strengthen one of Ohio’s most effective and responsive behavioral health systems.
A highlight of the evening was a heartfelt tribute to retiring Board member Amber Torres Gonzalez, whose deep understanding of youth behavioral health brought critical insight to Board decisions. Kurt praised Amber’s instrumental role in the Board’s success, including the passage of the 2024 levy renewal and the expansion of youth-focused service providers.
“This Board has been strengthened by Amber’s steady leadership, thoughtful questioning, and her commitment to putting young people first,” Kurt said.
The Board also honored the memory of Curt Lau, a dedicated member whose passing left a lasting impact. His legacy of curiosity and integrity was remembered as a guiding influence through the year’s challenges.
The Lake ADAMHS Executive Director, Kimberly Fraser reflected on a transformative FY2025—expanding its membership to 15, streamlining staff roles for greater impact, and achieving a decisive victory with the passage of the 0.9 mil levy renewal. The year also brought record-breaking success for the Board’s Celebrity Art Auction and new partnerships aimed at overdose awareness, suicide prevention, and youth substance use prevention.
Among the evening’s most notable moments was the presentation of the Board’s first-ever Behavioral Health Champion Award to Pat Hengst from Lake County’s Narcotics Agency, in recognition of his visionary leadership and deep collaboration across systems.
Nominated by Signature Health, Hengst was recognized for expanding the Quick Response Team (QRT) to reach individuals after overdose, co-launching a youth vaping awareness campaign, and working with the Willoughby Municipal Court to engage youth in prevention education.
“Pat is helping shift perceptions of law enforcement in behavioral health,” said Kurt. “He’s reducing stigma, building trust, and making sure people get the help they need.”
The evening also included remarks from Liz Henrich, CEO of the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities, who shared insights on the state landscape and the critical role of local boards in shaping Ohio’s behavioral health future.
About the Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board: The Lake County ADAMHS Board plans, funds, monitors, and evaluates services available to residents who are living with mental illness and/or substance use disorders. For more information, visit our website at HelpThatWorks.us
Photo Credit: All attached photos were taken by David Schick and may be used by media outlets for coverage of this story. High-resolution versions are available upon request.