Dr. Lisa Dixon Elected to NAMI National Board of Directors

Columbia Psychiatry’s Dr. Lisa Dixon has been elected to the 2020 - 2021 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Board of Directors for a three-year term. 

As the Edna L. Edison Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Director of the Center for Practice Innovations at Columbia Psychiatry, and Director of OnTrackNY, Dr. Dixon has long been a leading voice for people with serious mental illness and their families. 

Now, as a member of Board of Directors at NAMI, the nation’s foremost advocacy organization for those with mental illnesses, she will have new opportunities to shape the national dialogue.  

“NAMI is one of the most important advocacy organizations in the US dedicated to improving the lives of individuals affected by mental illness,” said Dr. Dixon. “It was started by family members, but now includes a diverse group of stakeholders at all levels. NAMI has helped my family.”

NAMI has worked with Dr. Dixon for many years, going back to her days in medical school when her brother was diagnosed with schizophrenia. She experienced first-hand the vital support and education that NAMI offers to those with mental illnesses and their family and friends. Dr. Dixon understands the importance of grassroots advocacy and has been a support to New York’s local and state NAMI chapters. 

“I have also had the privilege of working with NAMI,” said Dr. Dixon. “We have worked together to conduct research establishing the effectiveness of one of its signature programs, the family to family education program and an adaptation for family members of active duty soldiers and Veterans. Being on the board represents an opportunity to give back and also to have influence at a national level.” 

Throughout her career, Dr. Dixon has been committed to the power of family and peer support and is excited to continue that work as a member of the Board of Directors. We congratulate Dr. Dixon and look forward to the contributions she will make to NAMI’s mission of providing advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives.