Thanks to the philanthropic vision of alumnus Dr. Michael "Mike" Kubly and his wife, Mrs. Billie Kubly, the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine is able to operate the Charles E. Kubly Child Psychiatry Access Project. Their relationship with Jon Lehrmann, MD, the Charles E. Kubly Professor and Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, led to the creation of this unique project that gives pediatricians and family physicians tools to identify, diagnose and treat children with mental health issues.
After their son, Charlie took his life at the age of 28, Billie and Mike Kubly dedicated their lives to reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness and working to remove barriers facing patients and families struggling with these diseases. Shortly after his death, they created the Charles E. Kubly Foundation, a public 501(c)3 charity, devoted to improving the lives of those affected by depression.
With a personal donation to the Medical College of Wisconsin, the Charles E. Kubly Child Psychiatry Access Project started as a pilot project in Milwaukee metropolitan clinics (Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Waukesha counties). The project is headed by a team of professionals from the Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. A psychiatrist is on call for questions and also delivers training in the clinics to arm doctors with the tools they need to diagnose and treat children with mental illness. Because of the success of the pilot program, Dr. Lehrmann and others went to the Wisconsin state legislature to request funding to expand this project. Combined with increased philanthropic support from Billie and Mike Kubly, legislation was passed that allowed for the creation of the Child Psychiatry Access Program, which reaches the Northern regions of the state.
Fully equipped to face these challenges, the Medical College of Wisconsin, working in partnership with Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, seeks to support the mental health needs of thousands of children who currently lack even the most basic access to treatment and care.
Mental health awareness to reduce the stigma associated with mental health diseases.
Training for pediatricians and family physicians to enhance the care and services they provide to children.
Offer consulting services that cover the diagnosis and medication choices for children suffering from mental health disorders, in order to produce better healthcare outcomes.
Through the goodness of the Kublys we were able to begin the pilot project in the Milwaukee metropolitan area and then expand it. We have started meeting the needs of children in the Milwaukee area and went to the state to secure funding to meet the needs of children in northern Wisconsin, as well. We have a ways to go in breaking down barriers to meet the needs of children with mental illness, but this is a great beginning.
Promoting improved access to quality mental health resources within communities.