The Metropolitan Human Services District (MHSD) is governed by a Board of nine members: seven members from Orleans Parish and one member from each of the parishes of Plaquemines and St. Bernard. Of the nine members, five must be professionals in developmental disabilities, mental health, or addictive disorders, two must be advocates with a history in one of the MHSD service areas, and two must be consumers. Of the seven Orleans Parish appointments, three must be professionals in one or more of the MHSD service areas, one must be an advocate in one of these areas, and one must be a consumer of services.
Board members are appointed by the chief executive officer of the parish they represent subject to the approval of the governing authority that parish. They are eligible for two consecutive three-year terms.
Orleans Parish (8 Representatives)

Gary Mendoza
Chair 2019-20
200 St. Charles Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70130
[email protected]
Appointed October 2014
1st Term Expires: October 2, 2017
2nd Term Expires: October 2, 2020

Michael Pechon
Vice-Chair
612 Friscoville Ave.
Arabi, LA 70732
[email protected]
Appointed July 19, 2016
1st Term Expires: July 19, 2019

Dr. Joseph Kanter, MD, MPH
Medical Director, New Orleans Health Dept.
2000 Canal Street
D&T 2nd Floor – Suite 2720
New Orleans, La. 70112
[email protected]
1st Term Expires: January 28, 2020

Charlotte Parent
200 Henry Clay Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118
[email protected]
[email protected]
Appointed June 2013
Reappointed 2nd Term Expires: November 15, 2019

Cathy Lazarus
2020 Gravier St.
New Orleans, La. 70112
[email protected]
Appointed December 2015 to fill term of Resigned spot.
Term Expires: November 15, 2016
Reappointed Second Term Ends: November 15, 2019

Mike Miller, LCSW-BACS
715 South Broad St.
New Orleans, LA 70114
[email protected]
Appointed November 16, 2017
1st Term Expires November 16, 2020

Sarah Schirmer, MPA
Appointed November 16, 2017
1st Term Expires November 16, 2020
Plaquemines Parish (2 Representatives)

Sarintha Stricklin, Ph.D
125 Keating Drive
Belle Chasse, LA 70037
[email protected]
Appointed October 2014
1st Term Expires: October 09, 2017
St. Bernard Parish (1 Representative)

Stanley S. Simeon
2012 Landry Court
Meraux, LA 70075
[email protected]
Appointed December 14, 2017
1st Term Expires: December 14, 2020