David Elkin Email & Phone Number

As the Executive Director of The Center for Advancement of Youth (CAY), an outpatient pediatric behavioral health clinical service line, I manage over 65 providers and support staff with an integrated, interdependent approach. Under my leadership, this high-volume clinic has set a new industry standard with consistent technological innovation — including telehealth — to reach and better serve patients throughout Mississippi.I have built a financially viable and sustainable business model while prioritizing excellence in evidence-based care by obtaining federal and private grants, fundraising, and executing astute financial management. I believe that when business principles are applied alongside a patient-first approach, we create a future where the quantity and quality of mental healthcare rises. My personal mission is to provide mental health care to all.MY SUCCESSES INCLUDE:Increased patient flow by an average of 17% in FY 2019, 2020, and 2021.Obtained $5M from the Mississippi Division of Medicaid to establish a fully-integrated center that focuses on excellent care and for all children in the state. The grant was awarded with the express purpose of reshaping behavioral care in Mississippi, moving away from the traditional model of care to expand care statewide.Reduced redundancy and streamlined care to save Medicaid $2.5M a year.Solicited and received over $2M in funding from a private foundation to expand CAY’s digital footprint by implementing telehealth across the state, and $1Mfrom a private donor to establish an applied behavior analysis (ABA) program for kids with autism. These donations allowed CAY to further expand behavioral health services.Reduced wait times from 200 days to 40 days pre-pandemic.Engineered CAY to see twice as many patients at 1/10th of the budget of a local competitor by maintaining a business mindset and patient-first approach. Increased staff by over 800% from 8 to 65 people, including child psychiatrists, developmental/behavioral pediatricians, child psychologists, social workers, licensed professional counselors, nurse practitioners, and even separate occupational and physical therapy gyms. Established an active educational program for trainees in all specialties, with an emphasis on productivity balanced with employee engagement.