Columbus, Ohio 12/2/2009

Dr. Muhammad Akhtar, a Rosemont Center employee and resident of Hilliard, was honored with the Extraordinary Mile Award at the ADAMH Board Meeting located at Columbus State Community College on Tuesday, December 1st, 2009.  Kim Kehl, ADAMH Board of Trustees presented Dr. Akhtar with this prestigious award.

Dr. Akhtar has been a psychiatrist with Rosemont Center for 10 years.  In that time, he has provided very high quality, individualized services to children and their families.  He's very strength-oriented and goes out of his way to provide positive reinforcement for both families and staff.  He doesn't waiver in his high ethical standards, yet can be very flexible in other areas, when it's necessary.  He's very conscientious and careful in his diagnostic and treatment recommendations and collaborates extremely well with staff.  Dr. Akhtar has done a wonderful job of bridging the gap between the Somali and Muslim populations and the mental health system, de-bunking mental health myths and distrust.  More and more Somali families are seeking his services and have developed trusting relationships with him.

His nominator, Rosemary Standish, Clinical Director of Rosemont Center, said "Dr. Akhtar has a calming, welcoming presence with children and families.  He invites participation from everyone involved with clients, including family members, direct care staff and clinicians.  He values the feedback of family members and takes it seriously.  He pays attention to what families want from treatment. He listens to children, taking their opinions into consideration."

ADAMH is Franklin County's authority for planning, funding and evaluating mental health, alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment services. ADAMH-funded services are provided by a local network of more than 40 not-for-profit providers and offered on a sliding-fee scale, making them affordable for any county resident, regardless of income. For more information, please visit www.adamhfranklin.org