Axis Chief Integration Officer, Jennifer Penney, PsyD Appointed to Advisory Board

Blog contribution: Axis Community Health

Dr. Jennifer Penney, PsyD, Chief Integration Officer at Axis Community Health, has been appointed to serve on the Alameda County Mental Health Advisory Board, marking a significant step in strengthening local mental health advocacy and oversight.

The appointment, made by District 1 Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert, places Dr. Penney in a crucial advisory role where she will help shape the future of behavioral health services in Alameda County. As an advisory board member, she will contribute to vital decisions regarding mental health programming and the allocation of county funds, while working to identify and address gaps in mental health care services.

Under Dr. Penney’s leadership, Axis’s Integrated Behavioral Health program sees over 19,000 visits a year, and the innovative Axis Bridge Mental Health Urgent Care program has demonstrated remarkable success in the Tri-Valley community. Since its launch in 2021, the program has transformed local mental health care delivery, achieving notably low hospitalization rates with less than 1% of patients requiring hospitalization or emergency 72-hour psychiatric holds during their participation in the program. In the past year alone, the program served 820 individuals, stabilizing patients presenting with urgent mental health struggles and demonstrating the program’s effectiveness in filling this gap in care.

“As a citizen of our local community and a professional working within the health field, participating as a member of the mental health advisory board provides an opportunity to represent our local community values, needs and aspirations,” says Dr. Penney. “Learning and exchanging ideas with other professionals and system champions throughout the county is engaging and allows for direct participation in some of what impacts our community directly.”

The Mental Health Advisory Board plays a fundamental role in ensuring that county behavioral health services align with community needs. Advisory board members collaborate with county officials and healthcare professionals to develop recommendations that enhance mental health care accessibility and effectiveness throughout the region.

“I’m honored to be a member,” Dr. Penney adds, expressing her commitment to serving the community in this new capacity.

This appointment represents a continuation of Alameda County’s efforts to strengthen its mental health services through experienced professional guidance and community representation. Dr. Penney’s proven track record in developing successful mental health programs and her deep connection to the local community positions her well to contribute meaningful insights to the advisory board’s important work.

Learn more about Axis Community Health HERE.