Jefferson Healthcare and Jefferson Mental Health Services (JMHS) have teamed up to hire Susan M. Ehrlich, former chief of psychiatry at JMHS, to work in both locations.

Ehrlich is to serve as JMHS medical director and chief of psychiatry, and to work part-time at Jefferson Healthcare’s hospital and clinics in providing consultation and patient care.

The two agencies have been working together for several months to develop strategies for managing the mental health issues in Jefferson County.

“We are very excited to have Sue back in our community,” said Dr. Joe Mattern, chief medical officer for Jefferson Healthcare. “This is a significant step in starting to address the mental health crisis in Jefferson County.”

Adam Marquis, JMHS executive director, said he also is pleased with the partnership.

“The working relationship between Jefferson Mental Health and Jefferson Healthcare has been incredibly constructive and focused. The collaboration of our agencies will benefit our community in many ways. We look forward to developing this collaborative co-located care model in our community.”

Ehrlich earned her medical degree at Tufts University in Boston and did her psychiatry residency at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville, North Carolina. She completed a fellowship program in integrative medicine at the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine. She is board certified in psychiatry, neurology and integrative holistic medicine.

She returns to JMHS on March 16 and begins practice at Jefferson Healthcare on June 15.

Officials from both agencies say the innovative approach demonstrates the commitment of Jefferson Healthcare and Jefferson Mental Health Services to attenuate the problems with mental health care in the county.