Behavioral Health ECHO Program

Supporting patients during behavioral health crises can be complex. These situations often impact both patient safety and staff well-being, and they require thoughtful, coordinated responses. 

At WMCHealth, we partner with healthcare teams throughout New York to strengthen day-to-day skills and build confidence in these moments. The Behavioral Health ECHO Program offers a structured, collaborative way to learn from experts, share experiences, and apply strategies in a range of care environments. 

Healthcare teams are navigating increasingly complex behavioral health needs in hospitals and congregate care settings. These situations often unfold quickly and can be difficult to manage without a shared approach. 

Many organizations are working to: 

• Respond to escalating behaviors in real time  
• Help staff manage stress and burnout  
• Create more consistent approaches across teams and departments  
• Improve coordination between hospital and community-based care  

How the Program Works

The Behavioral Health ECHO Program is a virtual learning collaborative designed for healthcare teams throughout New York State. 

Each session follows a consistent format that makes it easy to engage and learn alongside peers. Weekly sessions combine focused instruction with open discussion, creating space to explore real situations and exchange ideas. 

Sessions include: 

• Brief, targeted presentations from subject matter experts  
• Case-based discussions based on real scenarios from participating sites  
• Peer dialogue and shared problem-solving  

Topics reflect common challenges teams face every day and include trauma-informed care, crisis response, de-escalation strategies, staff well-being, and coordination between care settings. 

WMCHealth received a grant from NYS OMH and is working with the Office of Hospital Care & Community Transitions to bring this learning collaborative to NYS Hospitals & Congregate Settings

Learn Together, Apply in Practice

This program is interactive by design. Teams are encouraged to bring forward their own experiences and questions, which helps shape each session. 

Over time, this shared learning environment helps build consistency, confidence, and stronger communication. Many teams find that learning alongside peers facing similar challenges is just as valuable as the formal instruction. 

Program Schedule

Organizations enroll in a cohort and attend weekly virtual sessions over a defined timeframe. This structure allows teams to build skills steadily while staying connected to a broader learning community. 

2026–2027 Cohorts 

• Fall Cohort: October 7 – December 12  
• Winter Cohort: January 13 – March 17
• Spring/Summer Cohort: May 5 – July 7  

Each cohort includes 10 sessions focused on practical application, discussion, and shared learning. 

Program Faculty

Sessions are led by experienced clinicians and leaders from across WMCHealth, representing psychiatry, nursing, emergency care, addiction medicine, and behavioral health services. 

Faculty include: 

• Stephen Ferrando, MD – Chair Psychiatry – WMCHealth and Edith Har Esh, M.D. Professor and Chairman Department of Psychiatry – New York Medical College
• Michael Doyle, MD – Associate Director, Department of Psychiatry; ECHO Director and facilitator  
• Katelyn Delmar, DNP, RN – Lead Clinical Resource Coordinator; Nurse Manager and facilitator  
• Abraham S. Bartell, MD – Division Chief, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry; Director of Pediatric Psychiatry  
• Lauren Augello, MD – Director, Addiction Medicine 
• Isaac Bruck, MD, PhD – Medical Director, Emergency Department, HealthAlliance Hospital  
• Beth Alter, LCSW – Behavioral health specialist  
• Macon Navarro, LCSW – Senior Director, Behavioral Health Services
• John Simon, MDiv, MTS, BCC – Vice President, Integrated Patient Experience
• Nicole Blanchard, BSN, RN, PMH-BC – Nurse Educator, Behavioral Health  
• Katlyn Allabaugh, BSN, RN – Nurse Manager 

Resources

WMCHealth not only provides premier care for mental and behavioral services but is a hub of resources to help you get you connected with groups and programs that will help you on your continued good mental and behavioral health and provide assistance and support as you journey through everyday life.