Feb. 11 , 2005
Norman – David Wanser, deputy commissioner for behavioral and community health at the Texas Department of State Health Services, has been named one of four distinguished alumni from the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oklahoma. Wanser will be honored at the college’s annual Kaleidoscope Evening, slated for 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, in the ballroom of Oklahoma Memorial Union, 900 Asp Ave., Norman.
In addition to receiving the award, Wanser will give a free, public presentation titled “Why a Course on Health Policy Should be a Prerequisite for an Undergraduate Degree” at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, in the Regents’ Room at the union.
Wanser graduated from OU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, master’s degree in human relations and doctoral degree in psychology. He worked in Norman at the Youth and Family Center, Central State Hospital, the Central Oklahoma Mental Health Center and maintained a private practice before moving to Texas.
Wanser also served as the executive director of the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, during which time he chaired the statewide Drug Demand Reduction Advisory Committee, composed of 19 state agencies. During his tenure at the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Wanser served as director of behavioral health services and as director of the NorthSTAR Managed Care project. NorthSTAR was established in 1999 to integrate Medicaid, state revenue and federal grant funds to guarantee services to low-income individuals in need of mental health and substance abuse services in parts of Texas. In 2001 and 2002, NorthSTAR was selected as a semi-finalist in the Innovations in American Government competition sponsored by Harvard University and the Ford Foundation.
In September 2004, Texas consolidated its departments of mental health, substance abuse and public health into the Texas Department of State Health Services and named Wanser the deputy commissioner of behavioral and community health. He also serves as an officer on several boards of directors for national organizations and has been a consultant to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Mental Health Services for ten years.
Other distinguished alumni being honored by the College of Arts and Sciences at the Kaleidoscope Evening are Edward N. Brandt Jr., Regents’ Emeritus Professor at OU’s Health Sciences Center; Fred R. Harris, former Senator and chairman of the Democratic National Committee; and A. Thomas Loy, chairman and president of MetaFund. Peter G. Pierce III, president of First Bethany Bancorp, will receive the college’s Distinguished Service Award. All four distinguished alumni will give presentations on Thursday, Feb. 24.
Proceeds from the Kaleidoscope Evening go toward student scholarship support. Tickets are available for $100 per person. For ticket reservations or additional information on any of the presentations, contact Vivian Glore at (405) 325-2347.
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