PEDERSON-KRAGS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RECEIVES PIRCA AWARD Mental Health Association in Suffolk County Recognizes Anita Fleishmans Work

The Mental Health Association (MHA) in Suffolk County has announced that it will present its 2003 PIRCA (People In Recovery Choice Award) to Anita Fleishman, RN, CSW, the Executive Director of the Pederson-Krag Center. The Center is one of the largest private, nonprofit outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment centers on Long Island.

Long Island, (PRWEB) October 7, 2003 --The Mental Health Association (MHA) in Suffolk County has announced that it will present its 2003 PIRCA (People In Recovery Choice Award) to Anita Fleishman, RN, CSW, the Executive Director of the Pederson-Krag Center. The Center is one of the largest private, nonprofit outpatient mental health and substance abuse treatment centers on Long Island.

With the PIRCA, we acknowledge the achievements of people in the mental health community who really make a difference," said Thomas Iusi, Executive Director of the Mental Health Association in Suffolk County. We are recognizing Ms. Fleishman with this years award to acknowledge her outstanding efforts and support in the field of mental health.

Well present the award to Ms. Fleishman at our 5th Annual Autumn Benefit in October. The proceeds of the Benefit will allow us to expand our Consumer Training Programs," continued Mr. Iusi. These programs give Long Island residents living with mental illness an opportunity to continue their education, obtain a job and return to mainstream society."

"I am honored to be chosen to receive this distinguished recognition," said Ms. Fleishman, The PIRCA award validates the work that we all are doing and the success that we have achieved."

The Pederson-Krag Centers commitment is to help people with mental health or chemical dependency challenges and to make a significant impact whenever possible with mental health and chemical dependency issues both on Long Island and within New York State," she continued.

Ms. Fleishman has been with Pederson-Krag since 1982 and was appointed Executive Director in 1990. Prior to her tenure at the Center, she was a pediatric and surgical nurse in New York City and a public health nurse for the Monmouth County Department of Health. In addition to her registered nurse degree, Ms. Fleishman has received Masters in Social Work from Adelphi University.

The Mental Health Association in Suffolk County acts as a unified voice in promoting mental health, improving the availability and quality of services and providing information about mental illness. The MHA also offers information and referral, advocacy, training and support groups for the mentally ill and their relatives and educational programs for the public and professionals.

The Pederson-Krag Center is one of the largest private, nonprofit outpatient mental health and chemical dependency treatment centers on Long Island. Since its inception in 1957, the Pederson-Krag Center has provided assistance to adults, adolescents and children who might not be able to obtain services otherwise because of a lack of insurance or an inability to pay.
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