July 2, 2018

American Addiction Centers (AAC) today announced the winners of its 2018 Behavioral Health Academic Scholarship Program. The first place winner, Crystal Clark, will receive $5,000 in financial assistance. The second place winner, Anjalee Sharma, and the third place winner, Jessica Lurie, will each receive $2,500.

As the opioid addiction epidemic continues to ravage families and communities, there has never been a greater need for trained behavioral health professionals.

“We consider it a privilege to support students as they pursue behavioral health careers that will help us care for millions ofAmericans struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues,” said Michael Cartwright, AAC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “This scholarship program is another example of our ongoing commitment to ensure people have access to expert care when they need it most.”

First Place – Crystal Clark, Masters in Family Therapy, California State University at Northridge

Second Place – Anjalee Sharma, Ph.D in Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Third Place – Jessica Lurie, Masters in Nursing, University of North Carolina School ofNursing at Durham

American Addiction Centers launched the scholarship program in 2015 to provide financial assistance to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in the behavioral health field in response to the growing need for trained mental health and substance abuse experts.