Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA), one of the state’s oldest and largest child welfare and behavioral health nonprofit agencies, is pleased to announce the addition of Chief Behavioral Health Officer, Tracy Thurston, MC, LPC and Medical Director, Ramiz Audi, MD to the leadership team.

Thurston holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and a master’s degree in counseling from Arizona State University. Prior to joining AzCA, Thurston had 19 years of experience in behavioral health and 16 in the non-profit sector. During that time, she worked in direct care, program growth, clinical oversight, leadership and staff development.

In her new role, Thurston is responsible for the behavioral health services for the children and families of AzCA.

Dr. Audi has years of clinical experience treating patients at inpatient units, emergency rooms and urgent cares in outpatient settings. Through his work, he has created psychiatric urgent care models for nonprofit agencies in Virginia and Arizona that help reduce recidivism of children. Dr. Audi worked previously as a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Child Health and Psychiatry at University of Arizona, a clinical assistant professor in psychiatry at Creighton University and an instructor of psychiatry at Mayo Clinic. He developed a psychopathology lecture series and supervised child and adolescent fellows while assisting in the development of Phoenix Children’s Child and Adolescent Fellowship Program.

Audi will be engaged in the improvement of existing programs as well as the development and revision of policies that govern them, fostering growth, excellence and quality care at AzCA.

“Tracy and Dr. Audi are both valuable additions to the AzCA leadership team,” said Jacob Schmitt, President and CEO of AzCA. “With their leadership, AzCA continues our commitment to providing high quality, trauma informed services and supports to the children and families we are entrusted to serve across Arizona.”

For more information about Arizona Children’s Association, you can visit the website at arizonaschildren.org and like them on Facebook.

About Arizona’s Children Association
For 100 years, Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA) has stayed true to “Protecting Children, Empowering Youth, Strengthening Families,” serving more than 40,000 children, individuals and families in all 15 counties each year. They are one of the oldest and largest statewide child welfare and behavioral health nonprofit agencies in Arizona. Learn more at http://www.ArizonasChildren.org.