Robin Henderson, Psy.D., Director of Behavioral Health Services for Cascade Healthcare Community, was recently elected to the governing council for the American Hospital Association’s Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Services.

Dr. Robin Hender, Psy.D. of Bend, Oregon

In her role on the council, Dr. Henderson will represent hospitals throughout the nation to help provide better guidelines for providers of mental health services nationwide. She will serve a three-year term, and will be participating in the federal legislative process.

Along with the rest of the council, Dr. Henderson will begin her term focusing on three key areas: (1) seclusion and restraint guidelines, (2) psychiatric prospective payment guidelines, and (3) federal parity in mental health benefits.

“The seclusion/restraint guidelines have a significant impact for all the hospitals in the CONet region and across the state,” Dr. Henderson said. “The psychiatric prospective payment guidelines apply directly to St. Charles Medical Center–Bend and other Oregon hospitals with psychiatric units. Oregon just passed one of the most inclusive parity laws in the nation, and I was pleased to be a part of that process, so we’re seen as a leader in this area.”