Einstein’s Chairman of Psychiatry First Psychiatrist Honored With
Bell of Hope Award from Mental Health Association of
Southeastern Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA, May 30, 2007 -- Michael J. Vergare, MD, Chairman, Department of Psychiatry, Albert Einstein Medical Center and Daniel Lieberman Professor and Chair, Department
of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, recently received the 2007 Bell
of Hope Award from the Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania (MHASP).
The Bell of Hope Award recognizes an individual, organization, foundation or corporation for significant contributions benefiting
those facing the challenge of mental illness. Dr. Vergare is the first psychiatrist to receive this honor which was awarded
at MHASP’s annual dinner in May. The award salutes those who bring hope to the struggle through their words, resources, products,
research or advocacy efforts. He was selected because of his impact on the mental health community and his long-standing
work in the field of mental health education and research.
Dr. Vergare is board-certified in general psychiatry, as well as in geriatric and administrative psychiatry. He has received
the Presidential Medal of the American Psychiatric Association of which he is a Fellow, and the Judicare Medical Services
Award. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Psychiatrists and the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, an honorary
Fellow of the Philadelphia Association for Psychoanalysis and an elected member of the Group for the Advancement of Psychiatry.
Dr. Vergare chairs the Governor’s Advisory Committee for Mental Health and Mental Retardation. He has served as president
of the Philadelphia Psychiatric Society and the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society and as president of the Mental Health Association
of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
On a national level, Dr. Vergare serves on the National Advisory Council of the Center for Mental Health Services of the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. He also serves on the board of the American Association of Psychiatric Administrators,
American Association of Chairs of Departments of Psychiatry and the Alliance of Academic Medical Centers. Dr. Vergare is
also a member of the Residency Review Committee of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and a representative
to the Council of Academic Societies of the American Association of Medical Colleges.
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Editor’s Note: Dr. Vergare resides in Chestnut Hill.
About Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, is a 1,200 bed integrated delivery network serving the communities of North Philadelphia
and Montgomery County, PA. A founding member of the Jefferson Health System, Einstein combines the best of academic medicine
and community service, employing nearly 7,000 people, and offering training programs for physician residents and fellows,
nurses and other health professionals. The Network provides healthcare services through the Albert Einstein Medical Center
and Einstein at Elkins Park hospitals, its MossRehab and Belmont Behavioral Health divisions, Germantown Community Health
Services, Willow Terrace (a nursing home), Willowcrest (a center for subacute care), outpatient facilities such as Center
One and Einstein Neighborhood Healthcare, network of primary care and specialist practices throughout the community. For more
information, visit or call 1-800-EINSTEIN.
CONTACT: Judy Horwitz
Communications Specialist
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
215-456-6767 horwitzj@einstein.edu
Publish date: May 30, 2007
