10/02/2026
Journey Health System (JHS) and its affiliated organizations held their annual meeting on October 2, at the JHS main office in . Over 40 Board members, executive leaders and guests attended, both in-person and remotely, to review the previous fiscal year, recognize goals and conduct the organization’s annual Board Elections.
This year’s meeting theme, “Transforming Behavioral Health Care,” reflected the organization’s continued focus on innovation, collaboration and accessible services for individuals and families across Pennsylvania.
Journey Health System provides administrative support for the following non-profit, behavioral health affiliates: Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems (BLBHS); Beacon Light Adult Residential Services (BLARS); Deerfield Behavioral Health (DBH); Dickinson Center, Inc. (DCI); Forest Warren Mental Wellness Association (FWMWA), Stairways Behavioral Health (SBH) and Deerfield Solutions, a for-profit provider of the LOCUS levels-of-care software. The JHS Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from each organization which deliver mental health care to a total of 20 counties across .
Joseph Yaros, JHS Board Chair, and Becky Jensen, JHS Chief Risk Officer, welcomed attendees to the meeting, honored service achievements and previewed how JHS is “Looking Ahead”.
The annual meeting’s Board proceedings and elections were led by JHS Board Chair Joe Yaros.
The following new 2026 Board members were appointed and introduced:
• BLARS: Dave Park
• BLBHS: Mary Kushner & Judge Maureen Skerda
• DCI: Amy Finn
• FWMWA: Rebecca Hand & Randy Witmer
• JHS: Norm Strotman.
Additionally, departing Board members Susan Ball from FWMWA, Anne Albright and Katie Mattocks from BLBHS, were thanked for their contributions.
Board reappointments made for a three-year term, are as follows:
Journey Health System-
• Brian Hennessy
• Kathy Jones
• Celene McIntyre
• Tom Tredway
• Joe Yaros
Beacon Light Adult Residential Services-
• Richard Dryden
Beacon Light Behavioral Health System-
• Mary Kushner
Dickinson Center, Inc.-
• Ron Hammersley
• Terry Hinton
Forest-Warren Mental Wellness Association-
• Michael Gray
• Rebecca Hand
• Randy Witmer
JHS and DBH Board Officers were elected as follows: Chairperson Kathy Jones, Vice Chairperson Maurice “Maury” Cashman, Treasurer (vacant) and Secretary John Foerstner. Officers for all of the affiliate companies were elected as well.
Annual Board Resolutions for four policies were approved.
Guy Signor, JHS President and CEO, presented a positive JHS annual financial and operation’s report. Highlights included:
• JHS ended the fiscal year with a consolidated operating profit of $7.2 million, which was $1.6 million over budget.
• Total revenue hit $100 million, which was $2.6 million over budget.
• Amazing Workplace designation displays staff satisfaction.
• One electronic medical record system is now in use.
• Accreditation and licensing audits validate care quality, client safety and readiness across the system.
Brian Larson, JHS Vice President of Corporate Strategy, followed with an overview of the organization’s new strategic planning process.
Brian Chruscial, CPA, from Zelenkofske Axelrod, LLC shared a positive JHS consolidated financial report. In addition, each affiliate’s executive director presented last year’s results, along with heart-warming videos or speeches by clients served by their agencies.
Guest speaker, Julie Graziane, MD, of the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse discussed updates to regulations, state plans regarding Su***de Prevention, 988 Helpline data, social determinants of health, and HR1 Medicaid changes effective January 1, 2027.
Surprise visitors from the children’s residential facility at Beacon Light, conducted a fun auction for Halloween artwork they created.
The meeting closed with the presentation of an appreciation plaque to Joe Yaros in recognition of his past years of leadership as the JHS Board Chairperson. For more information about Journey Health System and its affiliates, visit www.journeyhealth.org . 👏
