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Director of the Governor’s Office of Community Integration to serve as acting director
January 8, 2010
Governor Felix P. Camacho today announced the resignation of Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (DMHSA) Director, Dr. David Shimizu. The governor accepted Dr. Shimizu’s resignation after consideration of issues facing the department.
“Dr. Shimizu took on the challenge of leading the department at a very difficult time, and I am grateful for his efforts,” said Gov. Camacho. “Our Mental Health department is faced with numerous challenges, yet in less than one year DMHSA has made tremendous progress towards meeting the requirements of the Amended Permanent Injunction (API) and related orders issued by the U.S. District Court.”
Despite scarce resources, DMHSA employees, through the leadership of Dr. Shimizu, have been able to recruit professional staff, repair the agency’s fire suppression system, construct additional residential group homes, complete multi-disciplinary treatment plans for consumers and fund dental care services. In addition to these accomplishments, DMHSA successfully hired three psychiatrists, three psychologists, six psychiatric nurses, 14 psychiatric technicians, and 13 community program aides, a quality assurance coordinator, a residential program manager, and psychiatric social workers. These new employees continue to work closely with their colleagues to develop and expand behavioral health services to our consumers. The addition of these employees allows the agency to service numerous consumers through its in-patient units, medication clinic, and residential group homes.
“I wish him well in his future endeavors,” said Gov. Camacho. “Leadership is tested during times of adversity and in his short amount of time at the department, Dr. Shimizu has proven his ability to lead and serve the people of Guam.
The governor in the meantime has appointed the Director of Community Integration, Elizabeth Cruz Esq. to serve as Acting Director of DMHSA. Mrs. Cruz is also currently serving as assistant legal counsel to the governor and has been working closely with DMHSA in meeting the requirements of the API.
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