Board of Visitors

About the Board

The Board of Visitors is established under 13.33 of the Mental Hygiene Law. It is made up of volunteer advocates for people who are receiving care and treatment from New York State operated psychiatric centers, children's psychiatric centers and facilities operated by OPWDD's developmental services offices. The Board of Visitors operates within facilities managed by the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities and the Office of Mental Health. The board performs inspections of OPWDD's state-operated residences and provides guidance related to the operation of OPWDD-run programs. 

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Membership

The Board of Visitors is made up of members from area Boards of Visitors that represent operations across the state. Each developmental disabilities state operations office (DDSOO) should have a minimum of seven Board of Visitors members but not more than 14 members. Any DDSOO with less than seven members has vacant positions. 

Members do not receive compensation, but can be reimbursed for their actual expenses in connection with their service to the Board of Visitors. Members are appointed or reappointed by the governor, by and with the advice and consent with the Senate. 

Member, County of ResidenceDDSOODDSOO Region
David Breen, M.D., Livingston1Finger Lakes
Sherilyn Coleman-Ferrer, Monroe1Finger Lakes
Anne Marie Ormiston, Monroe1Finger Lakes
Bernice Ziehm, Monroe1Finger Lakes
Charles Case, Erie1Western NY
Michael Rogers, Erie1Western NY
Ann Scherff, Genesee1Western NY
James Yonai, Livingston1Western NY
Margherita Rossi, Broome2Broome
Roger Benn, Madison2Central NY
Virginia Ellis, Cayuga2Central NY
Laura Kiefer, Herkimer2Central NY
Jan Kleese, Oneida2Central NY
Young Hee Lee, Onondaga2Central NY
Carol Neveu, Oneida2Central NY
Jeannine LeRoy Nolan, Onondaga2Central NY
Susan O'Connor, Albany3Capital District
Nirmala Sankaran, Albany3Capital District
Linda Sartoris, Saratoga3Capital District
Kathe Sheehan, Schenectady3Capital District
Patricia Wright, Saratoga3Capital District
Gilbert Duken, Clinton3Sunmount
Paul Maroun, Esq., Franklin3Sunmount
Wayne Rogers, Franklin3Sunmount
William Evans, Dutchess4Hudson Valley
Charles Scheinberg, Westchester4Hudson Valley
Ron Lehrer, Dutchess4Taconic
Mark Searle, Dutchess4Taconic
Cheryl Wilcox, Dutchess4Taconic
Enrique Colon, Bronx5Metro
Willie Mae Goodman, New York5Metro
Josephine Maldonado, Bronx5Metro
Fredericka Pol, Bronx5Metro
Diane Carbonaro, Richmond5Staten Island
Joanne Certo, Richmond5Staten Island
Edward J. Checkett, Richmond5Staten Island
Christine Dickhut, Richmond5Staten Island
Robert McCarren, Richmond5Staten Island
Frank Tellefsen, Richmond5Staten Island
Patricia Yandoli, Richmond5Staten Island
Mary Fasano, Nassau6Long Island