Rebecca Palpant Shimkets
Experience
Leadership and Honors
· The National Academies Committee on Changing Behavioral Health Social Norms through Messaging for the Public, Committee member (2016-2018)
· Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education, Advisory Board Member for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Grant (2014-Present)
· Bring Change 2 Mind (Non-profit founded by Actress Glenn Close), Scientific Advisory Board Member (2012-Present)
· Global Alliance for Stigma Reduction, U.S. Representative, Member (2015-Present)
· Center for Dignity, Recovery, and Empowerment of Mental Health Association of San Francisco, Advisory Board Member (2013-2016)
· Atlanta Business Leaders Cancer Project (ABLI), Advisory Committee Member Focused on Behavioral Health (2013-2017)
· The National Academies Committee on the Science of Changing Behavioral Health Social Norms, Committee Member (2014-2016)
· Mental Health America of Georgia, Board of Directors Member (2011-2015)
President (2013-2014)
Executive Committee, Nominating Committee Chair (2012-2013)
· Sixth International Stigma Conference – San Francisco, CA, February 2015 Planning Committee Member and Policy/Advocacy Subcommittee Chair (2014-2015)
· Janssen, Mental Illness and Incarceration Communications Advisory Board Member (2013-2015)
· The College for Behavioral Health Leadership (formerly American College of Mental Health Administrators – ACMHA)
Board of Directors Member (2012-2013)
Communications Committee Chair (2011-2013)
Emerging Leaders Interest Group (2008-2011)
Fellow (2008-2010)
· Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (Federal Agency)
Voice Awards, Judge of Accurate Depictions of Behavioral Health in Film and Television (2008-2017)
Wellness Research and Evaluation Initiative, Advisory Committee Member (2012-2013)
ADS Center –Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity, and Social Inclusion, Steering Committee Member (2010-2012)
Ad Council National Anti-stigma Campaign, Advisory Board Member (2005-2006)
· American Prospect – The Politics of Mental Illness Special Report, Advisor (2008)
· Colombia University Graduate School of Journalism, Steering Committee on Education Reporting, Member (2007)
· Entertainment Industries Council, Advisor (2005-2006) (Advised writers, producers, directors of prime-time television shows such as “ER” and “House”)
Special Projects
· The Carter Center Resource Guide for Behavioral Health Reporting, September 2016. Editor – oversaw the editing, production and distribution for a media guide on mental health and substance use conditions.
· The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Committee Member, Committee on the Science of Changing Behavioral Health Social Norms. Produced a national report on the science of stigma reduction (2014-2016).
· International Program Development - Oversaw creation, partnership development, launch, and/or ongoing administration of Journalism Fellowship Programs in the following countries:
o New Zealand 2002-2006
o South Africa 2006-2012
o Romania 2007-2014
o Colombia 2013-2018
o United Arab Emirates 2016-2018
o Qatar 2016-2018
· American Journal of Public Health Special Theme Issue on Stigma and Social Inclusion, May 2013. Project Manager - Oversaw entire development, identification of potential authors, communication with the journal and editors, and launch event that featured former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter and U.S. Congressman Tony Coehlo (CA).
Training and Education
Select Reporting Workshops - Led the development and launch of one-to-four-day workshops for Mental Health Reporting.
What’s at Stake for Mental Health? Collaboration with National Press Foundation, Washington, DC, July 2017.
When Veterans Come Home: A Workshop for Working Journalists. Collaboration with Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, January 2010.
The Status of Boys: Crisis or Not? Collaboration with Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, Nov-Dec 2006.