By Linda Alvarado-Arce
On Thursday, May 1, 2025, the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board (MHRSB) of Lucas County held its 11th annual Recognition Ceremony. This year the event was held at the Toledo Zoo.
The awardees were:
Dr. Tanvir Singh of the University of Toledo. He received an award for the Alcohol & Other Drugs Professional of the Year. He was nominated by Stephanie Calmes of UTMC.
Afaf Doumani of NAMI of Greater Toledo. She received the Advocate of the Year award and was nominated by Marriah Kornowa of NAMI of Greater Toledo
James Rye of the Zepf Center. He received the Peer Involvement of the Year award. He was nominated by Craig Gebers of the Zepf Center.
Debra Riley-Jackson of The Fair Housing Center. She was awarded the Diversity & Inclusion Award for Leadership. She was nominated by Stacy Stubblefield of the Thomas M. Wernert Center (TMWC) and Michael Carter of the MHRSB of LC.
Amy Kusner of the Thomas M. Wernert Center. She received the Health Professional of the Year award. She was nominated by the Thomas M. Wernert.
Andrea Mendoza-Loch, a Board Trustee for the MHRSB of LC. She received the Advocate Hall of Fame award and was nominated by Robert Kasprzak of the MHRSB of LC.
Two First Responders were awarded this year:
Officer Kelli Russell of the Toledo Police Department. She was nominated by Courtney Burrow of the Zepf Center.
And Officer Mohamad-Aly Nasser of the Toledo Police Department. He was nominated by Julie Embree of the Toledo-Lucas County Homelessness Board.
While the Teen Leadership Awards went to Michelle Johnson, Chloe Lard’e, Ava Newman, Mikayla Ramsey, and Stephanie Williams of Toledo Public Schools (TPS). They were nominated by Gayle Lake of TPS.
And the other Teen Leadership Award went to Drew Bensman, Olivia Colvin, Liam Kurasz, and Madison Roytek of the Swanton Area Community Coalition (SACC). They were nominated by Andrea Smith of SACC.