Dannette Smith Named BHA Commissioner, Has Ties to Dr. Medlock - A Big Win for Community

Today, Governor Polis announced Dannette R. Smith to lead the Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). Smith will start as BHA Commissioner on March 18.

Denver Post coverage shared Smith’s appointment which is a big win for JFM and the community, as Smith is a Woman of Color, and is connected to Dr. Medlock via a national fellowship. 

The Denver Post also highlights Dr. Medlock’s ongoing EEOC case, after being discriminated against and unjustly removed from her role as the BHA Commissioner. 

The appointment of a Leader of Color, after the loss of Dr. Medlock, builds off of Dr. Medlock’s foundation of community-centered co-creation and success in launching the BHA. The people of Colorado deserve the accessible, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive behavioral health care that Dr. Medlock was working to deliver. 

With Smith starting her role on March 18, the JFM collective truly hopes that final justice will be delivered to Michelle Barnes, Interim BHA Commissioner, who has not only lied to the people of Colorado, but also harmed BHA employees with historically resilient identities, and has several open civil rights complaints (all of which JFM has reported on with receipts in previous drops).  

JFM will continue to report on Dr. Medlock’s federal racial discrimination and retaliation complaint. The collective will continue to seek Justice for Medlock so thank you for supporting the movement.