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Improving the availability of inclusive mental health
services for all residents in Clay, Platte and Ray counties.

The Mental Health Board of Trustees Members

Members of the Clay, Platte, Ray Mental Health Board of Trustees represent all three Northland counties, as well as a wide range of interests and experiences. What they share in common is a passion for helping those with mental illness and their families, while exhibiting careful stewardship of all public resources entrusted to them.

Photo of Sandra Ferguson, Platte County, Chair—Sandra earned her law degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Law. She practices at Ferguson & Ferguson Law, Kansas City. She is past president of the Clay County Bar Association and a member of the Clay, Platte and Missouri bars. She is past vice chair of the North Kansas City Hospital Board of Trustees and was the City of Parkville Municipal Judge for 25 years. Sandra is a founder of Tri-County Mental Health Services and is a member of Soroptimist International of KC Northland. Sandra has been on the board since it was organized.

Sandra Ferguson, Platte County, Chair—Sandra earned her law degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City School of Law. She practices at Ferguson & Ferguson Law, Kansas City. She is past president of the Clay County Bar Association and a member of the Clay, Platte and Missouri bars. She is past vice chair of the North Kansas City Hospital Board of Trustees and was the City of Parkville Municipal Judge for 25 years. Sandra is a founder of Tri-County Mental Health Services and is a member of Soroptimist International of KC Northland. Sandra has been on the board since it was organized.

Photo of Sharon Callahan, Clay County, Treasurer—A Clay County resident since 1959, Sharon has been a real estate broker for 40 years. She served on the National Alliance on Mental Illness Kansas City Board of Directors for 12 years and is a founding board member Tri-County Mental Health Services. Sharon enjoys traveling, dancing, sports and time with family. She considers it a privilege to serve on this Mental Health Board of Trustees, values its impact and sees it as a critical component.

Sharon Callahan, Clay County, Treasurer—A Clay County resident since 1959, Sharon has been a real estate broker for 40 years. She served on the National Alliance on Mental Illness Kansas City Board of Directors for 12 years and is a founding board member Tri-County Mental Health Services. Sharon enjoys traveling, dancing, sports and time with family. She considers it a privilege to serve on this Mental Health Board of Trustees, values its impact and sees it as a critical component.

Photo of Ronald C. Thiewes, Clay County, Assistant Treasurer—Ron is a lawyer and certified public accountant, whose practice concentrates on representing taxpayers. He is the former Chairperson of the Professional Ethics Committee of the Missouri Society of CPAs and is the Mentor Coordinator for the Veterans Court of Clay County Circuit Court. He enjoys gardening, fish and game pursuits. "I am so impressed with the stewardship—the due diligence, scrutiny, review and analysis of expenditures—exercised by the Levy Board over the taxpayer’s funds."

Ronald C. Thiewes, Clay County, Assistant Treasurer—Ron is a lawyer and certified public accountant, whose practice concentrates on representing taxpayers. He is the former Chairperson of the Professional Ethics Committee of the Missouri Society of CPAs and is the Mentor Coordinator for the Veterans Court of Clay County Circuit Court. He enjoys gardening, fish and game pursuits. "I am so impressed with the stewardship—the due diligence, scrutiny, review and analysis of expenditures—exercised by the Levy Board over the taxpayer’s funds."

Photo of Joan Patterman Barrett, Clay County—Joan has called the Northland (both Platte and Clay Counties) home since 2004. She has been a high school teacher and school counselor, transitioning to adult education and community organization at many locations during her husband’s 32-year Army career. Most recently, Joan was grant manager for a national non-profit. Behavioral health policy and programs were core elements of her work there. Joan is active in her church and a number of state and local organizations. She is honored to serve the Northland community through this Board.

Joan Patterman Barrett, Clay County—Joan has called the Northland (both Platte and Clay Counties) home since 2004. She has been a high school teacher and school counselor, transitioning to adult education and community organization at many locations during her husband’s 32-year Army career. Most recently, Joan was grant manager for a national non-profit. Behavioral health policy and programs were core elements of her work there. Joan is active in her church and a number of state and local organizations. She is honored to serve the Northland community through this Board.

Photo of Susan Bartlett, Clay County – Susan Bartlett has been a committed resident of Clay County since 2005 and brings more than two decades of experience in social work and mental health. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Over the past 20+ years, Susan has worked extensively within public education, advocating for the mental health and well-being of students and families. In her current role as North Kansas City School’s District Coordinator for School-Based Mental Wellness, she leads initiatives that foster valuable partnerships to integrate mental health services directly into schools, ensuring students have consistent access to critical supports. Susan is passionate about serving the Clay County community and is honored to join the board. She looks forward to advancing its mission of expanding access to essential services for all residents.

Susan Bartlett, Clay County – Susan Bartlett has been a committed resident of Clay County since 2005 and brings more than two decades of experience in social work and mental health. She holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Over the past 20+ years, Susan has worked extensively within public education, advocating for the mental health and well-being of students and families. In her current role as North Kansas City School’s District Coordinator for School-Based Mental Wellness, she leads initiatives that foster valuable partnerships to integrate mental health services directly into schools, ensuring students have consistent access to critical supports. Susan is passionate about serving the Clay County community and is honored to join the board. She looks forward to advancing its mission of expanding access to essential services for all residents.

Photo of Lancer Gates D.O., Clay County – Dr. Gates earned his Bachelor of Science in Pre-medicine from Penn State University; and his Osteopathic degree from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine/Andrew Taylor Still University. He completed his residency training at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City, NY. He maintains his internal medicine board certification (AOBIM and ABIM). He founded Gates Hospitalists, LLC in December 2022. Gates Hospitalists provides patient care at Liberty Hospital, North Kansas City Hospital. and Carroll County Memorial Hospital. He served as an appointed member of the Board of Trustees of the Clay County Public Health Department (2021-2023). He served as President of the Missouri State Medical Society (2023-2024); the President of the Kansas City Medical Society (2014), and the President of the Kansas City Regional Osteopathic Medical Association (2018-2019). He serves on the CENTRUS Health Finance Committee. He currently serves as the President of Kansas City Metropolitan Physician Association (2023-present).

Lancer Gates D.O., Clay County – Dr. Gates earned his Bachelor of Science in Pre-medicine from Penn State University; and his Osteopathic degree from Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine/Andrew Taylor Still University. He completed his residency training at Wilson Memorial Hospital in Johnson City, NY. He maintains his internal medicine board certification (AOBIM and ABIM). He founded Gates Hospitalists, LLC in December 2022. Gates Hospitalists provides patient care at Liberty Hospital, North Kansas City Hospital. and Carroll County Memorial Hospital. He served as an appointed member of the Board of Trustees of the Clay County Public Health Department (2021-2023). He served as President of the Missouri State Medical Society (2023-2024); the President of the Kansas City Medical Society (2014), and the President of the Kansas City Regional Osteopathic Medical Association (2018-2019). He serves on the CENTRUS Health Finance Committee. He currently serves as the President of Kansas City Metropolitan Physician Association (2023-present).

Jason Reed, Platte County – Jason has family in the local area and has lived in Platte County off and on, since 2013. He retired from the U.S. Army as a Lieut. Colonel after serving 22 years where he worked in military education, tactical operations, and strategic planning. He has a Bachelor of Science from Southern Illinois University, a Master of Arts from Webster University, and is a doctoral candidate with the University of the Cumberlands. He volunteers as needed at a local charity by teaching employment interview techniques to clients there. He enjoys walking, bicycle riding and animals. He is a life-member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a member of the American Legion.

Photo of James R. (Jim) Schmidt, Ray County – Jim Schmidt has been a resident of Ray County since 1969. He is a retired pharmacist with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. He has owned and operated an independent pharmacy in Richmond and has worked for a national retail chain in the Pharmacy division. Jim has a strong record of community involvement, having served as president and member of the Richmond R-XVI School Board, a board member of the Richmond Education Foundation, board member and past President of Tri-County Mental Health Services, and a founding member and past president of Special Needs Services of Ray County. He is also an active member of the Richmond Rotary Club, where he previously served as president; and currently serves as chairman of his church's finance committee. He and his wife Jeanne enjoy gardening, traveling, working with their church and with their foundation’s work in Uganda. He considers it a privilege and an honor to serve on the Mental Health Board of Trustees, working to improve mental health services for all the residents of Ray county and the Northland Communities.

James R. (Jim) Schmidt, Ray County – Jim Schmidt has been a resident of Ray County since 1969. He is a retired pharmacist with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. He has owned and operated an independent pharmacy in Richmond and has worked for a national retail chain in the Pharmacy division. Jim has a strong record of community involvement, having served as president and member of the Richmond R-XVI School Board, a board member of the Richmond Education Foundation, board member and past President of Tri-County Mental Health Services, and a founding member and past president of Special Needs Services of Ray County. He is also an active member of the Richmond Rotary Club, where he previously served as president; and currently serves as chairman of his church's finance committee. He and his wife Jeanne enjoy gardening, traveling, working with their church and with their foundation’s work in Uganda. He considers it a privilege and an honor to serve on the Mental Health Board of Trustees, working to improve mental health services for all the residents of Ray county and the Northland Communities.

Photo of Carol Suter, Clay County – Carol Suter is a retired lawyer and nonprofit executive. She is currently engaged in Suter Investment Trust with her husband, Eugene. They invest in single family residences for rental and resale. A resident of Gladstone since 1993, Carol has served on numerous civic and community boards. She was a long-time member of the Gladstone City Council and the board of the Mid America Regional Council. She has a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Bowling Green State University and a Juris Doctorate from Ohio Northern University.

Carol Suter, Clay County – Carol Suter is a retired lawyer and nonprofit executive. She is currently engaged in Suter Investment Trust with her husband, Eugene. They invest in single family residences for rental and resale. A resident of Gladstone since 1993, Carol has served on numerous civic and community boards. She was a long-time member of the Gladstone City Council and the board of the Mid America Regional Council. She has a Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Bowling Green State University and a Juris Doctorate from Ohio Northern University.

Staff: Haley L. Eisler, Board Administrator