photo by: Courtesy: Jeff Burkhead

Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center CEO Patrick Schmitz is pictured in June of 2019.

Patrick Schmitz has resigned his role as CEO of the Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center, effective immediately. The governing board is expected to “appoint an interim CEO in the coming days.”

On Tuesday during the Bert Nash Governing Board meeting, members of the board announced Schmitz’s resignation. Schmitz told board members in a written statement read aloud at the meeting that he remains deeply proud of the organization’s work and securing future properties for future expansion, including the planned Youth Recovery Center.

He also said he remains grateful to the team, the board and community partners that have made this work possible.

“As I step aside from this role, I do so with confidence in the strength of the Bert Nash Center team and the values that continue to guide the organization,” Schmitz wrote. “Thank you for the opportunity to serve. It has been an honor and a privilege I will carry with me always with sincere gratitude and respect.”

Schmitz’s resignation comes after Bert Nash has experienced financial challenges, with a projected budget deficit for 2025. As the Journal-World reported, last week, finance committee members were told the organization ended May with enough cash on hand to cover 0.16 months of operating expenses. The organization is on pace for an annual loss of about $2.1 million, which is slightly higher than the $2 million estimate Bert Nash provided as part of its April financial report.

“On behalf of the board, I want to recognize the good service that Patrick has provided for many years,” said Governing Board Chair Matthew Herbert in a press release from Bert Nash. “We also appreciate that his decision to resign allows us to act swiftly to address our financial crisis.”

Herbert also said this is an incredibly difficult time for people who rely on services from Bert Nash.

“The future of BNC is at the front of every Governing Board discussion and decision,” Herbert said in the release. “We appreciate the incredible dedication and service of BNC staff and are confident that we will create a bright future when we work together.”

This is a developing story and will be updated.