Thursday, January 23, 2014

New Action Alliance Executive Secretary Introduction

It is my great honor to become the next Executive Secretary of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention. David Litts is a shining example of leadership and commitment who set the stage for our next chapter. I thank him for his wisdom and hard work to bring the Action Alliance to its current place of great possibility.

Here is a little information about my background. My three decades of public health experience are comprised of results-driven program improvements and work with all levels of Government, as well as with nongovernmental and community organizations to help translate research and science into policies and programs. Most recently, in my role of Executive Vice President and Principal Scientist at SciMetrika, I directed the Social and Behavioral Sciences Division and led key corporate initiatives. Before that I served as a senior leader at ICF International (formerly Macro International) which included serving as Vice President of work in the Public Health Research and Evaluation practice and addressing a broad spectrum of public health issues. I’ve directed more than 180 state and national program evaluations, policy assessments and evaluations, training projects, and research studies over my career, including work in heart disease and stroke prevention, school policies in asthma-management, and policies to improve testing and treatment for HIV among adolescents. My experience has helped to shape my commitment and dedication to good health, including the promotion of mental health and suicide prevention.

We begin the next chapter of the Action Alliance with a laser-sharp focus on meeting our goal of saving 20,000 lives in five years. Our opportunities include championing the most effective policies to prevent suicides and catalyzing research and practice communities to develop strong measures, so that we know where we are making a difference. Finally, with strong policies and reliable measures, we can monitor ways in which the Action Alliance and its productive partners change the trajectory of suicide in the United States. I look forward to beginning my work with the Action Alliance and contributing my efforts to help build a nation free from the tragic experience of suicide.

In health,

Doryn Chervin, Dr.P.H.
Executive Secretary
National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention