Mark Stringer will be Missouri's Mental Health department director beginning July 1, Gov. Jay Nixon announced Thursday, after the state Mental Health Commission made the selection.
Stringer will succeed Keith Schafer, who is retiring after 16 years heading the state department.
The Constitution requires the Mental Health director to be confirmed by the state Senate, similar to other department heads the governor appoints. Other commission-appointed jobs in state government, such as the Transportation and Conservation directors and the commissioners of Higher Education and Elementary and Secondary Education, do not need Senate approval.
In a news release, Nixon said: "Mark Stringer is a dedicated, experienced and respected leader in the field of mental health who I've worked closely with over the last six years to strengthen and improve Missouri's mental health system.
"From placing new law enforcement liaisons at each of our community mental health centers to expanding access to Mental Health First Aid training, I've been pleased to work with Mark on a number of key initiatives to ensure Missourians with mental health challenges receive the care and treatment they need."
Nixon's news release said that strengthening and expanding Missouri's mental health system has been an administration priority.
That includes construction of a new, state-of-the-art Fulton State Hospital to replace the crumbling current facility opened in 1851. It is Missouri's only maximum security psychiatric facility and the oldest state psychiatric hospital west of the Mississippi River.
Fulton's Biggs Forensic Center treats patients with serious mental illness who are committed by Missouri courts for evaluation and treatment related to a crime, or who have assaulted patients or staff in other state psychiatric hospitals.
Since 2007, Fulton State Hospital has taken in more than 1,500 admissions from 100 Missouri counties and the city of St. Louis.
Nixon also said in the news release: "As DMH director for 16 years, Dr. Keith Schafer has left a tremendous legacy of accomplishment, along with an experienced and dedicated leadership team, including Mark Stringer.
"I look forward to working hand-in-hand with Mark and his team at DMH to build on this tremendous progress."