I’m happy to announce that we’ve been able to draft Pat Benchik to serve as our new Assistant Director for Behavioral Health Services.
Pat’s had a long career in behavioral health here in Arizona. He started his career in the 1980s working as an administrator at La Frontera in Tucson. He worked at the Pima County Regional Behavioral Health Authority in the early 1990s doing contract administration. Pat was the President and CEO of COPE Community Services, Inc. from 1992 – 2009… where he transformed a small behavioral health provider organization with a negative fund balance into one of the largest and most successful behavioral health provider organizations in Southern Arizona.
Pat has most recently served as a Pima County Behavioral Health Administrator where he has been responsible for development, administration and oversight of Pima County behavioral health care programs and initiatives- promoting recovery and resiliency through integrated health and health promotion strategies. He earned a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from the U of A and has a BA in Psychology from St. Louis University.
He’ll be joining our team on September 17th… welcome to the Transformation Express.
Great choice!! Pat will be an incredible addition to DBHS. He has wonderful energy and really believes in recovery. Good luck, Pat, and have fun in the new job.
The Division can look forward to working with a true gentleman and a thoughtful , caring leader with tremendous vision and a patient and determined spirit! -Dan Steffy
Pat has excellent vision and his leadership will benefit all of the behavioral health community. Cheers Mr. Benchik.
Pat is positioned to effect change in a greater way! Go Pat!! You will do a spectacular job.
Congrats Pat – well deserved and we’ll miss seeing you on campus!
Congratulations, Pat. Because of your past experience and knowledge, your continued work in the public behavioral system
will be very beneficial to its clients.
Pat, The Office of Individual and Family Affairs welcomes you. We have heard about your wonderful partnership with Peer and Family Members in Southern Arizona and are looking forward to your leadership.
Kathy Bashor
This is an amazing advancement for the State of Arizona and our citizens who need behavioral supports and encouragement for recovery. I’ve had the honor of working with Pat on multiple projects in Tucson, and he puts his money where his mouth is in terms of doing the right thing. This is a great appointment for the people of Arizona.