On December 15, the College of Medicine was proud to host the NAMI Tallahassee Annual Member Meeting and Holiday Gathering, bringing together community partners, volunteers, donors, and advocates committed to advancing mental health education, support, and advocacy across the region.

The event was hosted in partnership with NAMI Tallahassee, with support from Rebecca Carter, Associate Director of the Area Health Education Center and outgoing President of the NAMI Tallahassee Board of Directors. Through her dual roles at COM and NAMI Tallahassee, Rebecca helped facilitate the collaboration that brought the Annual Member Meeting to the College of Medicine, reflecting her ongoing commitment to aligning academic, clinical, and community-based mental health efforts.

The evening highlighted NAMI Tallahassee’s year of impact, including expanded peer support services, community education and training, youth engagement, record-breaking fundraising, and increased advocacy at the local, state, and national levels. A special moment of the evening marked the leadership transition of the NAMI Tallahassee Board of Directors, with the formal confirmation of new board members and the ceremonial passing of the gavel from Rebecca Carter to incoming Board President Kristen Bond Dobsen.

Hosting this event at the College of Medicine reflects the shared commitment of COM, AHEC, and NAMI Tallahassee to community-engaged leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and improving access to mental health support for individuals and families across the region.