MIRECC / CoE
Consumer Advocacy Board (CAB) | South Central MIRECC
Description of CAB
Established in 2001, the CAB advocates for Veterans and our efforts to better serve them. The CAB offers critical input on clinical, educational, and research materials created by SC MIRECC Affiliates as well as strategically to other VA’s including national initiatives related to rural and underserved Veterans. It is composed of 10+ standing members who are Veterans, family members of Veterans, and members of Veteran service organizations. Multiple members are also current or former clinicians and VA employees.
Recent CAB meetings have included discussion of projects that address suicide and lethal means counseling for Veterans, direct-to-consumer marketing to improve mental health access, initiatives to improve care for female Veterans, sexual health, and improving access to care for rural Veterans. The CAB is also focused on advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion to increase the SC MIRECC’s ability to improve access to mental health care for all Veterans, especially those who have been historically underserved.
CAB Meetings and Processes (how CAB works, how to request CAB meeting/feedback)
The CAB meets monthly (first Wednesday of each month from 10-11 CST) by video conference and typically reviews one project at a time during a standing 1-hour meeting. Presenters work with CAB administrators to determine the topic, scope, and general structure of the anticipated presentation.
Information for Presenters
Types of Presentations
- It is recommended that presenters keep their formal presentation to no longer than 25 minutes to allow the CAB to discuss, interact with the presenter(s) and provide feedback. Shorter presentations are also appropriate to allow for longer discussion periods.
- Presentations should address Veteran mental health topics but need not be VA-specific.
- Most presentations are research or education based. However, developing clinical programs or program evaluation projects may also benefit from CAB discussion.
- Unfunded and developmental projects are welcome and have historically proven to be a good opportunity for developers to get input from the CAB.
- The CAB places a priority on projects that address rural and underserved Veteran populations.
Before Presenting
- Presenters will complete a pre-survey to communicate to CAB members which SC MIRECC priority areas their project addresses, and what feedback is desired.
- Presenters will also be asked to provide “pre-read” documents for CAB members who will review these materials prior the presentation. Brief documents are recommended.
- Brief biographies will be exchanged between presenters and CAB members, so that each party can know the other’s relevant background.
How to get on the schedule
- Please email the Administrative Team Contacts listed at the bottom of this page.
- The Administrative Team will discuss with you your type of project, area of focus, and potential utility of receiving CAB feedback.
- If suitable, the Administrative Team will provide you with a list of upcoming openings to present during monthly CAB meetings.
- Once approved for a presentation, the Administrative Team will be able to answer questions and help you prepare for the meeting (as needed).
List of Members and Member Bios
Quinton Ezeagwula, is originally from Little Rock Arkansas. Mr. Ezeagwula is an Army Veteran and served from 2008 – 2012. He is also a Purple Heart Recipient. After serving in the Army, he attended Philander Smith College, where he earned a BA in Business Administration. Currently, he is a Peer Specialist with the HUDVASH program, where he was selected as 2022 CAVHS peer of the year.
Giovanni Gonzalez, is a Health Technician at the Valley Costal Bend Health Care System. He currently helps Veterans and their clinicians connect virtually with ease via information and education. Mr. Gonzalez served as a HR administrator in the United States Marine Corps from 2001-2005.
Dick Hills, is a 75-year-old Air Force, Vietnam Veteran. He has served on the Community Advocacy Board (CAB) for over 20 years. Mr. Hills has been a strong advocate for mental health services for Veterans for many years. He started a small psychiatric hospital in South Carolina; and at the same time, he was involved in starting NAMI. As part of NAMI, he served as a Veteran’s representative, and then later as a founding CO-Chair of the NAMI Veterans Committee. As a long-standing member of the CAB, Mr. Hills has had the opportunity to witness and be involved in many advancements within the VA.
Garry Laborde, served in United States Army from 1998-2004, Operation Enduring Freedom: 2003 (Afghanistan). He earned a master’s in social work in 1997 and a MBA in Health Administration in 2009. He is currently the Assistant Chief of Mental Health and has been in that role since 2010. He has been a member of the CAB since 2016.
Abbie Luck, is an active-duty Social Worker in the United States Air Force (USAF). She retired in 2010 after 20 years of service as a Lt. Colonel. She served in the Pentagon from 2004 – 2006. Ms. Luck set up the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response policy for the USAF. In 2009, she was deployed to Iraq Contingency Operating Base (COB) Adder, where she was responsible for providing mental health services. She earned a MSW from the University of Southern Mississippi and is a licensed clinical social worker for the states of Mississippi and Louisiana. Currently, she has a private practice in Gulfport, MS and also provides telehealth services for Louisiana.
Dinesh Mittal, MD, is the VISN 16 Deputy Chief of Mental Health Officer, South Central VA Health Care Network.
Estella Morris, is a 1976 graduate of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; a 1987 graduate of UALR Graduate School of Social Work; a 1994 graduate of VA Social Work Administrative Leadership Training; a 1996 graduate of the VA Management Development Program at the University of Alabama and a 1998 graduate of Leadership VA. In 2003, she earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work from Jackson State University in Jackson, MS. Dr. Morris entered the federal system as a VISTA Volunteer in 1977 and joined Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare (CAVH) in 1981 as a Social Work Associate in the Independent Living Program, a precursor to the Homeless Program. Within VHA, she has worked in multiple programs including Spinal Cord Injury; Admissions Psychiatry; Post-Traumatic Stress; Nursing Home Care and various medical units. Following receipt of her Master of Social Work in 1987, I joined the Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program, which was one of 43 original VA Homeless Programs. Under her leadership, the program has grown from one employee to 48 employees when fully staffed. She served seven years in the AR Army National Guard and three years in the U.S. Navy Reserve and is a service-disabled Veteran.
Clyde Reed, served in the US Air Force for 30 years mainly in the human resources field. After retirement, he began a career as a service officer with the American Legion and VFW. In 2004, he began his career with the Paralyzed Veterans of America, where he continues to serve as a National Service Officer. Mr. Reed has been a member of the CAB for five years.
Kristian (Kris) Smith, she was a member of the US Army for 14 years. She served in two tours Iraq and Afghanistan. After the military she completed her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice. She currently works at the Day Treatment Center in Little Rock, AR. She serve as the Post-Incarceration Engagement (PIE) peer. This position is special to her because there are only 6 peers in this pilot program. She works closely with Veterans being released from prison/jail to help them reintegrate into society.
Terry Williams Sr., is a retired United States Army Veteran. He has served many years as an advocate for Veterans. He served on the Arkansas Veterans Coalition for 26 years, the VA Consumer Advocacy Board (CAB) for 23 years, as Veteran Commissioner for Arkansas for 15 years, and on the Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center (GRECC) Advisory Subcommittee for 9 years.
Ken Woods, is a Veteran of the U.S. Army serving 6 years active duty and 6 years in the Air Force Reserves. He grew up in the wonderful city of Galveston, Texas. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Houston Baptist University, and his M.B.A from the University of Houston-Victoria. He enjoys working at the VA as it gives him the opportunity to continue to serve and work with the men and women that have served in the military. Mr. Woods is currently employed at the Houston VA within the Mental Health MIRECC Department in Houston, TX and he has been with the VA for over 17 years. He enjoys being a part of many of the Veteran Organizations such as the Disabled American Veterans, Gulf Coast Regional Veterans Coordinating Council, and many more.
Administrative Team Contacts
Joseph (Jay) Boffa, PhD, Assistant Director for Improving Clinical Care; Joseph.Boffa@va.gov
Darrell Zeno, MS, Senior Program Manager; Darrell.Zeno@va.gov
Jeffrey Cully, PhD, Associate Director for Improving Clinical Care; Jeffrey.Cully@va.gov
Last updated: June 28, 2024
