Integrated care: connecting medical and behavioral care - Tom Sebastian - TEDxSnoIsleLibraries

Tom Sebastian, executive director of Compass Health in Everett, Wash., addresses the need for a whole health care approach by exploring the impact of an often-fragmented behavioral health care system. By creating holistic behavior health care plans, health care providers in his community are seeing first-hand the positive impact of integrated behavior health care planning and treatment in individuals, families, and providers. This talk shares the benefits of treating a patient as a whole person for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. President and CEO of Compass Health and has been with the organization since 1987. He is also Co-CEO of Behavioral Health Northwest, providing health plan and behavioral health services statewide in Washington State. Tom holds an MS from Illinois State University and an MPA from the University of Washington. Tom serves on the Board of the Washington Council for Behavioral Health and is a Board member of Mental Health Corporations of America. He is driven by a calling to serve others and is most fulfilled by using his experience to empower those around him to thrive. Faith, family, laughter and community service are his constants in times of joy and difficulty. An avid marathoner, he embraces a commitment to persisting through the long hauls, while appreciating each step by recognizing that the present is a gift to be cherished.