Contact: Sara Wurfel
517-335-6397 or / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, Feb. 6, 2012

Snyder makes appointments to

Michigan Board of Psychology

LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointment of three members and the reappointment of one member to the Michigan Board of Psychology.

The board evaluates and determines minimal entry level competency of health practitioners, and takes disciplinary action against any misconduct of licensees.

“The physical and mental health of Michigan citizens is of utmost importance,” said Snyder. “These skilled individuals will help provide key oversight to the licensing and accountability of the state’s mental health practitioners."

Appointed:

Lt. Col. Michael Connelly, of East Lansing, is commander of Air Force ROTC- Detachment 380 and chair of the aerospace department at Michigan State University. Connelly’s previous assignments include work at the Pentagon and service in numerous leadership positions, including flight commander, assistant director of operations and deputy division chief. While deployed in Afghanistan, he assisted with the creation of the Afghanistan Air Corps. Connelly received a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a master’s of business administrationin information systems management from City University in Washington. He will represent the general public and replaces Julie Cowie.

Joseph Horak, of Caledonia, is owner and president of Horak Family & Psychological Services PC and serves as adjunct faculty at Grand Valley State University’s Seidman School of Business. He previously served as president and partner of Horak & Kuhn, LLC and as an out-patient therapist at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. Horak received a bachelor’s degree from the University of St. Thomas, a master’s degree in theological studies from St. John’s Provincial Seminary, a master’s of social work from Wayne State University, and a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Western Michigan University. He will represent professionals and replaces Roberta Toll.

Eric Özkan, of Midland, is a clinical psychologist with Behavioral Medicine Associates of Mid-Michigan. He also serves as vice chairman of the psychology section of the Mid-Michigan Medical Center and as a member of the American Psychological Society, Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Michigan Psychological Association, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society.Özkan received a bachelor’s and master’s degree and Ph.D. in biological sciences from Wayne State University, as well as a master’s degree and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Central Michigan University. He will represent professionals and replaces James Reed.

Reappointed:

Alan Warbelow, of Plymouth, is a limited license psychologist and program manager at Eastwood Clinics where he is responsible for the administrative and clinical management of outpatient mental health and substance abuse services. He received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wayne State University and a master’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of Detroit. He will represent professionals.

Appointees will serve four-year terms expiring Dec. 31, 2015, and are subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.

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