Let’s say hypothetically that “John” has a chronic case of diabetes and a chronic case of depression. And his brother “Frank” suffers from chronic diabetes alone. Statistics show that Frank will live 25 years longer than John – that is, if both of John’s behavioral and physical conditions are not equally treated.
More than two years ago, CEO Dwayne Butler led the Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers to integrate physical and behavior health care under one roof. Now someone with John’s conditions can be treated in the same place by an integrated medical staff working together.
Butler and his team recognized the challenges of coordinating physical and behavior health care services when they are not managed by the same organization.
“Our Board of Directors realized that if we are going to call ourselves the custodians of community health, this is something we need to address,” said Butler.
As CEO of People’s, Butler acquired the Hopewell Center, which has a long history of treating behavioral issues. Butler also has led the organization to open a new pediatric wing in its North St. Louis County center during his tenure.
On Saturday, May 5, Butler will receive the 2012 Health Care Administrator of the Year Award at the St. Louis American Foundation’s Salute to Excellence in Health Care Award Luncheon.
By integrating physical and behavior health, Butler has helped People’s Health earn national attention.
“The regional and federal medical and behavioral health communities are watching this integration because it is something that they have been talking about for a very long time,” he said. “We are one of the first organizations that are beginning to put that into practice.”
In his four years as CEO, Butler said, bringing behavior health services alongside primary care is his biggest accomplishment.
From volunteer to CEO
As many know, Butler’s mother – Betty Jean Kerr – was one of the founders of the center some 40 years ago. It was started as a free clinic in the basement of a duplex in an apartment complex on Kingsbury.
From kindergarten all the way through college, Butler volunteered at the clinic. He remembers riding on his bike to hand out pamphlets in the community and handing out snow cones at the center’s events.
“You don’t grow up in her household without volunteering and being involved in the community,” he said. “Community service has always been part of my DNA, basically. When the opportunity came to dive into service with both feet, I jumped at it.”
He came to People’s Health Centers from a banking career in Chicago, where he earned his MBA in finance and marketing at the University of Chicago School of Business.
Butler grew up adhering to the center’s mantra – to underline everything they do with dignity and respect.
“I spend as much time with our maintenance staff as I do with our physicians’ staff because it’s important that we create an environment to where people walk in and they know that they are valuable,” he said.
A little more than a year ago, the group opened a $1 million expansion of its North County pediatric wing, using federal funding from the Affordable Care Act.
“It’s another step to making sure the underserved community has services that are world-class and that are deserving of anyone by virtue of breath alone,” he said.
Butler said he is proud to help move People’s forward, but he is far from alone in the effort.
“While I receive the award, there are a number of people in the organization who contribute as much – if not more – than me to make sure that our journey is fulfilled and our community is benefiting from the services we provide,” he said.
