From therapist to leader: How our new mental health & addiction executive is transforming care

Chris Beamish’s journey into mental health and addiction care began thousands of miles from Minnesota, at the Durban Children’s Home in South Africa. There, he worked with children affected by trauma, HIV, and substance use.

"That experience shaped everything for me," he said. "It wasn’t just about providing care – it was about understanding the root causes of trauma, resilience, and the profound impact mental health struggles have on vulnerable communities."

Today, as the service line executive for mental health and addiction care at M Health Fairview, Beamish leads a team that is transforming the way care is delivered, ensuring that services are accessible, compassionate, and focused on the whole person.

Under Beamish’s guidance, M Health Fairview provides groundbreaking programs like EmPATH, a first-of-its-kind model for mental health crisis intervention, and Integrated Behavioral Health, which places licensed mental health providers in primary and specialty care clinics to ensure same-day access for patients.

We caught up with Beamish to learn more about his experience and vision for the future.