SSPHA Board Members
Vacant
Dr. Kelly Gothard , Director of Forensic Services
G. Werber Bryan Psychiatric Hospital, (864)231-2673, Kelly.gothard@scdmh.org
Dr. Kelly Gothard has served as the Forensic Services Director for the South Carolina Department of Mental Health since 2020. She received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Auburn University, where she focused her clinical training and research experiences on juvenile delinquency and sex offender evaluation and treatment. She completed her doctoral internship at William S. Hall Psychiatric Institute/USC Department of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science in 2008. She has previously worked as a psychologist for the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice and in the South Carolina Sexually Violent Predator Treatment Program as the Clinical Director. In her current role, Dr. Gothard is responsible for overseeing the state's forensic operations, to include operations of the state's only forensic hospital, and all initial forensic evaluations and sexually violent predator evaluations performed for the state. After helping pass legislative changes in 2022 to allow for outpatient and jail based competency restoration, she has also been developing outpatient/jail based competency restoration programming.
Chris Loftis , Director
Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, (615) 253-4809, Chris.Loftis@tn.gov
Chris Loftis is the Director of Hospital Services for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS), where he has served since May 2019. Chris earned a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Leadership from Austin Peay State University and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University. His office provides oversight to four Regional Mental Health Institutes, offering administrative, quality management, and clinical services. Additionally, he manages contracts with three hospitals in East Tennessee for inpatient care of uninsured psychiatric patients in emergency situations. He also provides administrative support to the Office of Forensic & Juvenile Court Services, which evaluates and treats pre-trial criminal defendants and individuals found Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity. Previously, Chris held various roles at TDMHSAS, including Forensic Services Director, Project Manager for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services EMR Implementation, and Forensic Coordinator.
Dr. Mark Messer , Superintendent
Terrell State Hospital, (972) 551-8061, mark.messer@hhs.texas.gov
Dr. Mark Messer is a board-certified psychiatrist who has been practicing psychiatry for 24 years and has been dedicated to the community with extensive experience in public and private inpatient and outpatient settings, including, but not limited to, forensic, child and adolescent, clinical research, and at present three academic faculty appointments. He is an experienced psychiatric director who continues to actively participate in the treatment of the seriously mentally ill and dually diagnosed patients. Dr. Messer is currently the CEO at Terrell State Hospital, a 305 bed inpatient psychiatric facility.
Brandi P. Justice, Psy.D. , Facility Director/CEO
Central State Hospital, (804) 524-7373, brandi.justice@dbhds.virginia.gov
Dr. Justice started her career in Washington, DC, working in the fields of intelligence and threat assessment. She eventually decided to pursue a career in clinical psychology to fulfill her passion of working with marginalized groups and individuals. For the past 15 years she has had the pleasure of working as a clinical psychologist for federal and state corrections, university medical centers, and state behavioral health facilities. Dr. Justice currently serves as the CEO for Central State Hospital in Petersburg, Virginia. Dr. Justice earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from the College of Charleston, a Master’s degree in Forensic Science from The George Washington University, and Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology from Argosy University.
Craig A. Richards , CEO
Mildred Mitchell-Bateman Hospital, (304) 525-7801 ext. 624, Craig.A.Richards@wv.gov