Requested Agenda Date:
8/16/2022
Requested Agenda Title:
Title
Behavioral Health Services Advisory Council Appointment
Siamak Khadjenoury, District 6
Body
Requested Agenda Item Description: The Behavioral Health Services Advisory Council (BHSAC) has three (3) vacant council position and has been accepting applications for the past several months. We received an application from Siamak Khadjenoury in February 2022 and invited him to attend the April 6, 2022 BHSAC meeting to discuss his interest in the vacant position and share his relevant experience and qualifications that may be complementary to the efforts of the BHSAC. A motion was made during the April 6"' meeting to proceed with submitting Siamak's application to the Mayor and County Council for review and consideration for an official appointment with the BHSAC. The current BHSAC members voted in unanimous support of the motion to request consideration for Siamak Khadjenoury to become an appointed member of the BHSAC. Siamak Khadjenoury is an Iraqi immigrant who reports he has "personal ties within the Middle Eastern, Jewish, and Indigenous communities in the area." He has a vast amount of experience in the behavioral health field, including having been the CEO of several local behavioral health organizations and psychiatric hospitals. Siamak is currently the CEO of Altium Health, which is an organization dedicated to removing barriers from those seeking treatment for mental health and addictions. Siamak ran for Utah House of Representatives in 2020 and per his report, "has a great understanding and appreciation for the legislative process." Mr. Khadjenoury has a wealth of experience in the behavioral health field, he has a unique and invaluable perspective on diverse and often underserved populations in Salt Lake County, and he has a firm understanding of the political and legislative processes involved in behavioral healthcare in Utah. The current BHSAC members feel that Siamak Khadjenoury's persona...
Click here for full text