A public health epidemiologist, Dr. Mary Roary has worked on both infectious and chronic disease prevention. Throughout her career she has been a champion for behavioral health access and health equity. She works nationally and across sectors to provide equitable, culturally competent and historically relevant mental health care for all communities.
Mary earned her doctoral degree in epidemiology from the University of Arizona in 2008. Since then, she has worked in government, academia and private industry, demonstrating her passionate dedication to public health and health equity.
Currently, Mary serves as the chief equity officer in the Office of Behavioral Health Equity, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. She works with a variety of organizations to expand access to mental health services in minority communities and to promote a healthy mindset around receiving mental health support.
Mary believes that without behavioral health, there is no health. She manages the National Network to Eliminate Disparities program that provides mental health and substance use services for community-based organizations. The program serves as a support system for community health workers to build connections, develop partnerships, learn and innovate. In this role, Mary also hosts a diversity and inclusion project showcase that links community-based organizations to resources and funding.
Mary has improved thousands of lives through her dedication to creating equity in access to mental and behavioral health.
