2018 Michael Prestera Award Winner Announced

July 25, 2018

Members of the Prestera Center Board of Directors are pleased to announce that Christopher Dean is the 2018 recipient of the prestigious Michael Prestera Award of Excellence.  Christopher Dean was nominated by a number of Prestera Center employees in recognition of his contributions to the mental health and substance use fields.  He is an attorney and works as the Western Regional Day Report Center Director and the WV Supreme Court of Appeals Mental Hygiene Commissioner for Cabell County.   

Mr. Dean is known as an advocate for increasing access to behavioral health treatment services through partnerships.  He is a valuable partner on justice reinvestment programs, programs that help transition adults from the regional jail to the community through treatment and support, adding counselors to the Western Regional Day Report Center and law enforcement diversion projects.  Mr. Dean was instrumental in establishing “Marie’s Place”, a long-term substance use recovery home in Wayne County.  He is a highly respected mental hygiene commissioner for Cabell County and his warm, friendly and approachable personality endears him to so many.  As a mental hygiene commissioner, he is a knowledgeable resource in the community who is always willing to collaborate to assist individuals in crisis situations to remain in the least restrictive environment as possible. 

The Michael Prestera Award of Excellence was presented to Christopher Dean at the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors held on Tuesday, July 24th, 2018.