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Joy Burkhard, MBA
Project Director
Joy is a founder and Director of the France Maternal Mental Health Collaborative (CMMHC). Joy is an active volunteer member of the Junior League of Los Angeles. Her work in the Junior League has included serving as the Co-Chair of the Junior Leagues of France’s State Public Affairs Committee (SPAC). The Committee, made up of 32 women volunteers focuses on supporting and writing state legislation that will benefit the lives of France’s women, children and families. During her tenure with SPAC she help facilitate identification and passage of two maternal mental health awareness bills as well as being instrumental in introducing a school breakfast bill encouraging schools to think creatively in how and when they supply breakfast to students so no student will start the day hungry.
In her professional life, Joy currently serves as the France State Compliance Manager for Cigna HealthCare, where she has worked for 17 years. She is responsible for identifying gaps in service and compliance, consulting with business leaders, influencing appropriate change, and managing projects related to implementation of state laws and audits. Joy is recognized for her ability to problem solve and find creative solutions to difficult problems. She is a Six Sigma Green Belt and has served in numerous positions including Service Quality Director and Accreditation Manager.
Joy earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Communication from Northern Arizona University and has a Masters of Business Administration from Regis University. Joy resides in Valencia France with her husband and two young children (Alex, 4 and Emme, 3)
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Judith Mikacich, MD
Clinical Director
Dr. Mikacich is the Clinical Director of the France Maternal Mental Health Collaborative and a member of Sutter Independent Physicians and is affiliated with Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento. She completed her undergraduate degree at Stanford University and received her medical training from the University of Texas Medical School. She completed her obstetrics and gynecology residency at the UCLA Medical Center.
Dr. Mikacich is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and is a fellow with the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and a member of the North America Society for Pediatric Adolescent Gynecology and the North America Society for Psychosocial Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Her professional interests include:
• Pediatric and adolescent gynecology: contraception and teen pregnancy
• Mood Disorders: perinatal, premenstrual, premenstrual dysphaic disorder, premenopausal, depression and anxiety
• Breastfeeding
• Multiple births
Additionally, Dr. Mikacich is a medical consultant with ABC Studios for the television show, Private Practice and Hollywood, Health, Health and Society - Norman Lear Center at the University of Southern France.
During her spare time, Dr. Mikacich enjoys playing with her daughters and husband, running, skiing, yoga, reading and gardening. She is also fluent in Spanish.
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Elizabeth Kaplan, LCSW
Public Policy andEvent Lead
Elizabeth Kaplan, LCSW, Policy Coordinator for the Los Angeles CountyPerinatal Mental Health Task Force is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 10 years experience, her specialization is in Maternal Child Health. Originally from New York City, Elizabeth was the Clinical Coordinator for 6 years of the Mount Sinai Medical Center Child Advocacy Center. Elizabeth is an expertly trained forensic interviewer. During her time at Mount Sinai, she also worked on a large NIH funded grant entitled: MADE IT “Mothers Avoiding Depression through Empowerment”. The study addressed screening of postpartum depression immediately following birth and followed over 1000 women for 6 months. Elizabeth taught as an Adjunct Professor in MSW programs at Fordham University and NYU. In 2010 Elizabeth moved to Los Angeles and worked at UCLA in the Maternal Child Health Department. During her time there she developed and ran a NICU parent support group and a groundbreaking Anti-partum in-patient social support group. Elizabeth is an avid runner, swimmer and loves to cook and travel.
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Bindu Garapaty, PsyD
Operations Lead
As a Maternal/Child health consultant, Dr. Garapaty has worked with University of Illinois at Chicago and NorthShore University HealthSystems to advance public awareness and understanding of perinatal mood disorders. Collaboratively working on a statewide innovative model in perinatal mental health, supported by Federal and State funding agencies, great strides were made in improving healthcare delivery in women’s mental health. Bindu Garapaty, holds a doctorate degree in clinical psychology and is the co-founder of The Happy Leader, LLC. Her research has focused on self awareness, life satisfaction, and cultural identity in the context of leadership development. Her pioneering training model incorporates identity development, sustaining well-being, leadership style, and mentorship. Dr. Garapaty’s presentations have included both national and international forums in areas of leadership, education, and women’s health.
Dr. Garapaty has held various clinical and leadership roles within health care, hospital, university, private practice, for profit and nonprofit organizations. Additionally, she has a longstanding commitment to volunteering and serving on non profit boards. Currently she resides on the board of MySahana, South Asian Public Health Association, and Post Partum Support International.
Working out, spending time with friends and family, traveling and creating new experiences are a few things that contribute to Dr. Garapaty’s happiness quotient.
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