TDMHSAS Leader Chosen for Prestigious Fellowship Opportunity

NASHVILLE, Tenn.— A top leader in the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services has been selected to the next cohort of a prestigious fellowship program.  TDMHSAS Deputy Commissioner Matt Yancey will be part of the 2022-2023 class of Milbank Fellows Program.

Yancey has served as Deputy Commissioner for Behavioral Health Community Programs since 2018.  He is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and has two decades of experience in public service.

“I’m both honored and humbled to have been selected as a Milbank Fellow,” said Yancey.  “I look forward to working with other executive branch and legislative leaders across the country and gaining new knowledge regarding how a population health approach can further advance the public behavioral health system in Tennessee.”

The Milbank Fellows Program is a 9-month leadership program for senior executive branch and legislative state leaders who are committed to improving population health in their communities.  The fellowship is offered by the Milbank Memorial Fund which is a nonpartisan foundation focused on improving population health and health equity.

“We are so excited for Matt.  His selection as a Milbank Fellow is a testament to his ability to tackle complex problems, synthesize various opinions and inputs, and create impactful and lasting change for the people we’re blessed to serve,” said TDMHSAS Commissioner Marie Williams, LCSW.  “Tennesseans are better off for Matt’s service, and we can’t wait to see how this opportunity continues his development as a behavioral health leader.”

Prior to his appointment as Deputy Commissioner, Yancey served as Assistant Commissioner for Mental Health Services.  He joined the department in 2015 as Director of Special Projects.  Yancey is a Georgia native where he began his career in public service in 2002.