Monica Johnson, LPC, Behavioral Health Division Director from the Georgia Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) has been selected as a fellow for the 2022 – 2023 class of the prestigious Milbank Fellows Program.

“I’m very honored to have been selected as a Milbank Fellow,” said Johnson. “I’m looking forward to learning how a population health approach can advance the public behavioral health system in Georgia.”

“We were excited and honored by the expertise, insight, and diverse lived experience of the candidate pool this year — the largest ever,” said Milbank program officer Kate McEvoy, who oversees the leadership programs. “We look forward to partnering with the members of the new cohort of Milbank Fellows Program and learning from them.”

The Milbank Fellows Program is a nine-month leadership program for senior executive branch and legislative state leaders who are committed to improving population health in their communities. The fellowship is offered by the Milbank Memorial Fund, which is a nonpartisan foundation focused on improving population health and health equity.

“We at DBHDD are thrilled that Monica was selected as a Milbank fellow. Her selection speaks highly of her ability to work with individuals at a national level and tackle a wide range of complex issues. I’m looking forward to what she brings back to Georgia to enhance our service delivery systems,” said DBHDD Commissioner Judy Fitzgerald.

Johnson joined DBHDD in 2011 as the Director for Child & Adolescent Mental Health, and was quickly promoted to the Director for Community Mental Health, and in 2014 was selected as the Division Director for Behavioral Health. Ms. Johnson has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Kennesaw State University and a master’s degree in professional psychology from Argosy University. She has over 26 years of experience in the behavioral health field and resides in Stockbridge.