Phila.gov
July 6, 2021
PHILADELPHIA — Dr. Jill Bowen, commissioner of the City of Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, announced today the appointment of H. Jean Wright II, Psy.D., as deputy commissioner of DBHIDS.
“As director of the DBHIDS Behavioral Health and Justice Division, Dr. Wright has worked tirelessly to reduce stigma, increase behavioral health awareness across systems, strengthen community and cross-system capacity, support recovery and resilience, and increase early intervention and access to behavioral health services,” Dr. Bowen said. “We look forward to him bringing these qualifications to his new, expanded role with DBHIDS as we work to address trauma, achieve equity, and engage community.”
Dr. Wright’s appointment comes as DBHIDS prepares for the retirement of Roland Lamb, the current deputy commissioner of the Division of Planning Innovation, planned for September 2021.
Under Dr. Wright’s leadership, the Behavioral Health and Justice Division expanded from a unit within the Division of the Chief Medical Officer to its own standalone division. The division launched in 2020 with a focus on providing equal opportunities for treatment, support, and community integration for justice-involved Philadelphians with behavioral health challenges. As deputy commissioner, Dr. Wright will use his expertise to maintain the department’s enhanced focus on behavioral health and justice collaborations and resources while bringing his range and breadth of experiences to an expanded department-wide leadership role.
“I am grateful to Dr. Bowen for this opportunity to serve Philadelphians as deputy commissioner of the Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services,” Dr. Wright said. “I’m honored to be part of this team that works so hard to educate, strengthen, and serve as we work to build a Philadelphia where every individual can achieve health, well-being, and self-determination.”
Wright is a transformational, highly experienced, and professionally trained clinical and forensic psychologist with more than 20 years of experience in behavioral health and with proven success in leading people and managing projects and initiatives in the government and private practice; in rehabilitation and correction; and in academia.
Wright earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, English literature, and cultural studies from The Ohio State University and a doctorate in psychology with focus in clinical and forensic psychology from Wright State University. He continued with post-doctoral work at Wilberforce University and Cincinnati VA Medical Center.
About DBHIDS
The Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, part of the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Health and Human Services, offers behavioral health care, intellectual disability supports and early intervention services in one comprehensive integrated system. For more information about DBHIDS, visit DBHIDS.org.
