Providence Names Herb Ozer to Lead Behavioral Health Services in Portland

March 20, 2009

PORTLAND, Ore. — Herb Ozer, an experienced behavioral health administrator and practicing therapist, has been named assistant administrator for Providence Behavioral Health Services for the Portland area. Ozer began his career with Providence in 1991 as a social worker and crisis counselor. He later assumed managerial roles, serving as director of operations for behavioral health since 2005.

“I hope to continue Providence's efforts to build strong collaborative partnerships with other providers and consumer organizations,” says Ozer. “It is these partnerships and our ability to work together that will help bridge the gap in needed services for these vulnerable members of our community.”

Ozer holds a master’s degree in social work from New York University. He is a member of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems’ Oregon Psychiatric In-Patient Committee and the State of Oregon’s Acute Care Leadership Committee. He is also board president for FolkTime, Inc., providing peer driven support services in Multnomah and Clackamas counties. Ozer replaces Sally Featherstone, who now directs leadership development for Providence’s Washington region.

Providence Behavioral Health Services provides a broad continuum of care at both Providence Portland and Providence St. Vincent medical centers, including in-patient services for adults, adolescents, and the only in-patient unit in Oregon for children ages 11 and younger. Providence operates a detox/residential chemical dependency program, and has expanded outpatient services to meet the needs in the community including for eating disorders, chemical dependency, and general psychiatry programs. Providence Behavioral Health recently added cognitive skills group services geared to support the work of individual therapists in the community.