[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 7, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E606]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MARYE L. THOMAS, M.D.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 7, 2013

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
extraordinary career of Dr. Marye L. Thomas as she retires from over 30 
years of dedicated public service, including the last two decades as 
the Director of Behavioral Health Care Services for Alameda County. I 
join our community in celebrating the many ways in which her life's 
work has contributed to the success and well-being of countless people 
throughout the Bay Area and beyond.
  Marye L. Thomas, M.D. graduated from Fisk University in Nashville, 
Tennessee, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1965, and went on to earn 
her medical degree from Meharry Medical College in 1969. Upon 
completion of her residency at the University of California San 
Francisco Medical Center in 1973, Dr. Thomas accepted a position with 
John Hale Mental Health Services as a Senior Staff Psychiatrist. She 
directed a clinical team and was responsible for intake assessment, 
crisis intervention, individual therapy, and coordination of treatment 
for acute inpatients and chronically ill patients in day treatment and 
community care. She was promoted to the position of Assistant Director 
of Clinical Services in 1977. During this same year, Dr. Thomas was 
named in Who's Who Among Black Americans.
  Her career with Alameda County began in 1978 when she accepted a 
position as Chief of Clinical Services for the East Oakland Community 
Mental Health Center. There, she was responsible for the clinical 
direction of the adult outpatient component of the NIMH Center with 
direct supervision of clinical teams, policy development and planning, 
and community relations. After rising through the ranks, Dr. Thomas was 
selected to be Director of Behavioral Health Care Services (BHCS) for 
Alameda County in 1994.
  In this vital leadership role, Dr. Thomas led the department 
responsible for the delivery of all publicly funded mental health, 
alcohol, and other drug services in the County. She oversaw a budget of 
$260 million, as well as more than 3000 employees in County and 
community based organizations who delivered services to nearly 30,000 
people each year. During her tenure, the behavioral health service 
system evolved from a $58 million county operated mental health service 
to a more comprehensive behavioral health care system comprising nearly 
$300 million. The growth spearheaded by Dr. Thomas includes a vastly 
expanded resource base for children's services, the increased capacity 
to offer alcohol and drug services, and the opening of numerous 
behavioral health facilities.
  With more than 20 years' experience as the physician/administrator 
for BHCS, Dr. Thomas has ensured the provision of high-quality services 
and the administration of federal, state, and local programs. Among her 
many accolades and professional associations, Dr. Thomas is the 
recipient of the 1994 Alameda County Mental Health Association 
Achievement Award and holds leadership positions in many community 
organizations.
  Furthermore, as a former psychiatric social worker and founder of a 
mental health clinic, I've known Marye for over 35 years. She has 
inspired me as a fellow social worker and, for that, I am deeply 
grateful.
  On behalf of the residents of California's 13th Congressional 
District, Dr. Marye L. Thomas, I salute you for three decades of 
outstanding service creating a more integrated, culturally competent, 
and empowering system of behavioral health care in Alameda County. I 
congratulate and thank you for your unparalleled service to our 
community. You have touched many lives in profound ways throughout your 
career, and we wish you and your loved ones continued happiness and 
prosperity in this exciting new chapter of life.

                          ____________________