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11 Years of Innovation and Impact: Celebrating the DBH Program at CGI

By October 7, 2025No Comments8 min read

By: Dr. U. Grant Baldwin Jr., DBH, Director of the Doctor of Behavioral Health Program

A Legacy of Vision and Purpose

As we reflect on 11 remarkable years of the Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) program at the Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies (CGI), I am filled with gratitude and pride. What began as a bold vision to advance integrated behavioral healthcare has evolved into a thriving global community of scholar-practitioners, innovators, and leaders. Each year, I have had the privilege of witnessing our students, alumni, and faculty carry forward the DBH mission transforming healthcare systems, strengthening communities, and improving the lives of countless individuals.

The past 11 years have taught us much about perseverance, collaboration, and the power of purpose-driven education. The lessons we have learned together shape not only who we are as an institution, but who we continue to become. As we celebrate this milestone, we honor the collective effort that has brought the DBH program to this moment and look forward to an even more impactful future.

Honoring the Visionaries Who Made It Possible

I am filled with gratitude, pride, and deep respect for the visionaries and leaders who have made this journey possible. The program’s existence and success are a testament first and foremost to the foresight and commitment of Dr. Nick Cummings and Dr. Janet Cummings, whose vision to found and establish CGI created a foundation for innovation, excellence, and the advancement of integrated behavioral healthcare. Thier pioneering spirit laid the groundwork for an institute that nurtures leaders capable of transforming healthcare systems, communities, and the lives of patients.

Dr Janet Cummings, Dr. Nicholas A. Cummings, and Dorothy Cummings at the 2020 DBH Commencement Ceremony

I also want to honor Dr. Cara English, our fearless CEO and CAO, whose guidance, strategic insight, and steadfast dedication have propelled CGI forward. Her leadership inspires all of us to innovate, collaborate, and continuously elevate the quality and reach of our programs.

Finally, I extend heartfelt recognition to my colleagues, faculty, and staff who work tirelessly and closely together every day to advance our mission. Your dedication, expertise, and collaboration embody the spirit of CGI, ensuring that our program not only endures but thrives, continuing to push boundaries, build knowledge, and expand the impact of behavioral health integration.

Building a Movement, Not Just a Program

The past 11 years have been a journey of vision, resilience, and collective commitment. Each lesson learned, challenge overcome, and milestone achieved reflects the dedication of everyone who has contributed to the DBH program’s legacy. Together, we have built more than a program we have built a movement.

As CGI commemorates the 11th anniversary of the DBH program, we celebrate a legacy defined by vision, innovation, and service. What began as a pioneering response to fragmented healthcare has become a transformative force, shaping leaders who integrate behavioral health into every level of care. The DBH program continues to prepare practitioner-scholars capable of bridging clinical, operational, and systemic divides, empowering them to improve access, quality, and outcomes across the healthcare spectrum.

As we look back, we honor both our achievements and the invaluable lessons learned along the way each one a testament to our shared commitment to advancing integrated behavioral healthcare.

Integrated behavioral healthcare is no longer optional; it is essential. The growing prevalence of chronic conditions, trauma, and mental health challenges underscores the need for comprehensive, team-based care. The DBH program stands at the forefront of this movement, equipping leaders to design systems that honor the inseparable connection between mind and body. Our graduates embody this philosophy, leading efforts that improve outcomes, reduce disparities, and bring compassion back to healthcare.

Education That Fuels Systemic Change

From its inception, the DBH program has been guided by a powerful vision: to educate leaders who drive systemic change. Every component of the program, its courses, its mentorship, and its community reflects the belief that vision fuels transformation. This vision has inspired graduates to take on leadership roles in organizations, shape healthcare policy, and champion equity in behavioral health access.

The DBH program embraces innovation as a catalyst for progress. Our curriculum fosters entrepreneurial thinking, encouraging students to challenge convention, identify unmet needs, and design creative, evidence-based solutions. Graduates emerge not only as clinicians but as innovators launching programs, founding consulting firms, and leading organizational change that improves care delivery and sustainability.

The DBH curriculum continues to evolve to meet the demands of an ever-changing healthcare landscape. Grounded in systems thinking, quality improvement, and leadership development, it equips students to address the complex realities of healthcare reform. By integrating applied learning and real-world problem solving, the curriculum ensures that every DBH graduate enters the field prepared to lead with confidence, competence, and compassion.

DBH White Coats at a DBH Commencement Ceremony

Community, Mentorship, and Support

One of the greatest strengths of the DBH program lies in its commitment to student support. We understand that doctoral education is as much an emotional and personal journey as it is an academic one. Through mentorship, academic advising, and individualized engagement, students are guided by faculty who genuinely care about their success. This supportive culture fosters resilience, personal growth, and lifelong commitment to professional excellence.

The DBH program thrives because it is built upon a community of learners who teach and teachers who learn. Faculty, students, and alumni engage as collaborators in a shared pursuit of knowledge and innovation. This community fosters intellectual exchange, collegiality, and professional identity, enabling each member to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of integrated behavioral health practice.

The evolution of the DBH program reflects the collective wisdom of its participants. Our students bring rich professional backgrounds and diverse experiences that enrich the classroom. Faculty members offer mentorship, leadership, and expertise that bridge scholarship and practice. And our alumni, now leaders across healthcare systems, continue to inspire new generations of DBH students. Together, they have shaped a program that grows stronger with every cohort.

Integrated behavioral health thrives on collaboration. The DBH program emphasizes systems thinking as a core competency, training leaders to see beyond individual silos and engage across disciplines. Our graduates work alongside physicians, nurses, administrators, and policymakers to co-design systems that are efficient, patient-centered, and equitable. This approach reflects the very essence of integration: collective expertise in service of whole-person care.

A Living Legacy: Our Alumni

Our alumni are the living legacy of the DBH program. They lead behavioral health initiatives, influence policy, and bring integration into diverse care settings. Their work sends ripples across systems, improving access, reducing costs, and elevating standards of care. Each story of success affirms the DBH program’s mission and demonstrates how one practitioner’s leadership can transform an entire organization or community.

Dr. U Grant Baldwin Jr. addresses DBH Graduates at the 2024 DBH Commencement Ceremony

Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter

No journey is without its challenges, and the DBH program’s growth has been marked by moments of reflection and reinvention. Policy shifts, technological advancements, and societal changes have all tested our adaptability. Yet, each challenge has strengthened our resolve and refined our approach. Through resilience, open dialogue, and a shared commitment to excellence, the program has emerged stronger, more focused, more inclusive, and more innovative than ever before.

As healthcare continues to evolve, the DBH program remains future-focused. We are preparing the next generation of leaders who will navigate emerging technologies, advocate for behavioral health equity, and guide the integration of care across systems. Our graduates will continue to bring empathy, intelligence, and creativity to the forefront of healthcare reform, ensuring that the DBH legacy not only endures but expands.

The Journey Continues

The story of the DBH program is one of continuous growth and transformation.

For 11 years, CGI has been guided by the principle that innovation in behavioral health is not just about systems, it’s about people.

As we look ahead, we remain committed to advancing our mission through education, research, and leadership that empowers change.

Together with our students, alumni, and faculty, we will continue to shape a future where integrated behavioral healthcare is not an aspiration, but a standard. The next decade promises continued growth, deeper collaboration, and an unwavering dedication to improving lives through integration, compassion, and evidence-based leadership.

The journey continues, and the best chapters are still ahead. 😎

Testimonials

“As a member of the AAPI community, I’m very familiar with the barriers to mental health services and the need to break through the glass wall of cultural stigma that prevents many from receiving potentially life–saving treatment. I was the only Asian American person in my master’s cohort, the only Asian American person in many of my clinical work settings, the only Asian American person to walk into many of the professional settings that I pushed myself to show up to. In my current practice, I’m constantly reminded by my patients of how difficult it is to find an Asian American mental health provider, though this reminder constantly informs me that more needs to be done for my community. Day after day, I read stories of Asian American people who die by suicide as a consequence of our culture’s avoidance of mental health topics. As a DBH, my biggest goal is to use my expertise in whole–person care to amplify the conversation around mental health and help my community understand that mental healthcare is not a privilege that we are not entitled to, it is a crucial part of our healthcare that will manifest differently in us than what many Western psychology or psychiatry textbooks will describe, and that our unique experience of mental health issues are valid, important, and is time to be part of the larger conversation.”

Willam Chum, LMHCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - September 16, 2022

“The Doctor in Behavioral Health (DBH) program has changed my understanding of the subject and career path. Before this academic journey, my knowledge of behavioral health was primarily theoretical, including essential ideas and methods. However, the DBH curriculum combined intense academic research with practical application, helping me understand behavioral health from multiple angles. Recognizing mental health as part of total health changed my perspective. The biopsychosocial model, which showed how biological, psychological, and social variables affect mental health, was stressed in the DBH curriculum. This comprehensive approach made me realize how complex human behavior is and how important it is to address mental health issues. Effective interventions must target the individual’s surroundings, relationships, and life experiences, not just symptoms. The curriculum also gave me enhanced evidence-based practice training to execute successful solutions. Studies methods and data analysis classes improved my critical thinking and allowed me to evaluate and apply behavioral health studies. This gave me the confidence to contribute to the field’s knowledge base through practice and research.”

Dr. Rhea Hill, DBH, LPCDBH Alumna, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - February 17, 2025

“This program will change how you present to the world, not just as a professional but as an individual. Understand this is work but the work is worth it and the journey is undeniably transformative. If you are seeking a doctorate for the title, this is not the program for you. If you are seeking a doctorate to interrupt and disrupt the course of healthcare, then this is the program for you. You won’t find a more supportive program with professors who are dedicated to your success and your education. This program is not about the regurgitation of information. It is about the appropriate applied application of knowledge and information to push forward and become an advocate for equitable and quality care for all.”

Brandy K. Biglow LMHC, CCTP, QSDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - February 5, 2024

“The Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) program has definitely transformed my understanding of behavioral health. Understanding the links between physical and mental health has taught how to make better treatment decisions. The DBH program has also given me insights that otherwise would not be possible and allows me to view individuals through a lens that I was previously ignorant of. This program has helped me grow into a more confident individual, provider, and parent.”

Cory H. Cannady, BCBA, LBADBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - March 13, 2024

“The DBH program has reinforced my vision of viewing behavioral health (BH) as an integrated component of the healthcare system rather than a siloed service. As a practitioner in the focused BH realm of substance use disorder (SUD) treatment, I observe on a regular basis how identifying and serving SUD patients is often missed, ignored and stigmatized in primary healthcare, despite the fact that early intervention at these check-points often has the potential to intervene earlier and lessen the negative SUD outcomes frequently seen by the time a patient reaches specialty SUD services. Reinforcement received in my DBH program has motivated me to promote integration as a leader in my workplace and is a primary factor in considering the long-term trajectory of my individual career path.”

Kenneth L. Roberts, MPS, LPCC, LADCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - November 5, 2024

“Graduating from the DBH program has influenced and enhanced my approach to addressing behavioral health challenges and making a difference in the field by preparing me to become a serious business owner. Through the DBH program, I understand now that becoming a business owner not only assists me in reaping the financial benefits of working for myself, but the program also offers me a sense of freedom to make a difference in an individual’s life.”

Dr. Rebecca K. Wright, DBH, LBA, BCBA, QBADBH Alumna, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - December 18, 2024

“I have always wanted to pursue a higher degree but never found a program that met my needs. When I investigated the DBH program, I can honestly say I was excited. It was a program that would expand my knowledge in behavioral health but also how it relates to physical health. The philosophy of treating the whole person was exactly what I was looking for.”

Elizabeth Nekoloff, M.Ed., LPCC-S, NCCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - January 16, 2025

“Prior to obtaining my DBH, I practiced behavioral health within the boundaries of behavior analysis. The DBH degree has given me the ability to broaden my scope of competence allowing me to provide a higher quality of care to my clients through a person-centered approach, while still staying within my scope of practice. I was in the beginning stages of opening my business when I enrolled in the DBH program which set my trajectory towards being a stronger leader. The program equipped me with essential healthcare leadership and entrepreneurial skills, allowing me to ensure high-quality services for my clients and foster a supportive work environment for our staff. It has also given me the confidence to expand my business and pursue other healthcare ventures, reaching a broader range of patients in need.”

Dr. Pauline Tolentino Pablo, DBH, BCBA, IBADBH Alumna, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - January 21, 2025

“Although I have worked with many patients who have mental health diagnoses, or behaviors which make managing their medical diagnoses and day to day life difficult, the DBH program at CGI is broadening that knowledge and providing a deeper understanding of behavioral health and how best to help these individuals manage their health and improve their quality of life. This will allow me to provide and advocate for more meaningful and seamless integrated care, providing new tools for my intervention toolbox, and the confidence and skills to collaborate within and lead whole person focused interdisciplinary teams. I also anticipate building upon my knowledge as a nurse case manager and long time caregiver, as well as my personal passions and professional vision, learning about processes and operations, to be in position to start up and lead my own company one day, offering the services and care I know every person should have access to.”

Hollie Wilson, MSN, RN, CCMDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - February 11, 2025

“The DBH program will open opportunities for me to contribute to healthcare system innovation, particularly through trauma-informed care and integrated behavioral health settings. I will be better positioned to advocate for and implement holistic care models that improve health outcomes for underserved populations. Ultimately, this program will help me transition into higher-level roles, such as a director or consultant in behavioral health, where I can influence broader system changes and contribute to the future of healthcare delivery.”

DeKyn Rashad Peters, MPH-CHES,BSW/BA,APCDBH Candidate, Cummings Graduate Institute for Behavioral Health Studies - March 4, 2025

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