June 11, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Faces of Resilience brought together more than 230 supporters to advance mental health efforts across Ohio.
- The event raised nearly $900,000 for Ohio State’s Center for Psychiatry and Resilience and its leading mental health programs.
- Gov. Mike DeWine and Patrick J. Tiberi were honored for their leadership in strengthening mental health support across Ohio.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – During the 16th annual Faces of Resilience fundraiser luncheon on Wednesday, more than 230 people gathered to show their support for mental health efforts led by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
“This event serves as a powerful reminder that mental health touches every community, every workplace and every family. And it reminds us why our work is so urgent. We are grateful for these leaders and champions from across Ohio who represent public, private and non-profit organizations — all with a common goal to improve the mental health and resilience of Ohioans,” said John J. Warner, MD, chief executive officer of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and executive vice president at Ohio State. “They play an integral part of a movement to transform the way we approach and treat mental illness and addiction.”
The event raised almost $900,000 for Ohio State’s Center for Psychiatry and Resilience. The center includes nine national programs of distinction that bring together world class clinical research leaders with expertise in trauma care, suicide prevention, depression treatment, addiction recovery, early psychosis interventions, along with the SOAR Study.
During the event, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine was honored for his career of dedication to addressing the mental health crisis in Ohio and around the country. DeWine has made mental health and addiction policy a central priority throughout both of his terms, beginning with the creation of the RecoveryOhio initiative on his first day in office. This initiative established a statewide, coordinated framework to improve prevention, treatment access and recovery supports, while reducing stigma and aligning efforts across agencies.
Notable among DeWine’s many contributions was his commitment to the groundbreaking State of Ohio Adversity and Resilience (SOAR Study). In partnership with the Ohio General Assembly, DeWine secured funding for this historic statewide longitudinal study led by researchers at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
The SOAR Study focuses on identifying biology-brain risk and resilience factors for mental illness and addiction. More than 16,000 Ohioans from all 88 counties are participating.
“I congratulate Dr. Phan and his research team on the progress of the SOAR study, which will lead the nation in long-term mental health studies, and also for the increased momentum in support of the Center for Psychiatry and Resilience at The Ohio State University,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “As a result of the statewide investments we've made in mental health funding, including projects like SOAR, Ohio will lead the way in this important work.”
Inspired by the pioneering longitudinal Framingham Heart Study that revolutionized heart research, the SOAR Study will explore not only mental illness and addiction but also resilience and mental wellness.
The SOAR Study investigates social, environmental, psychological, trauma-related, genetic, and biological factors that lead to – or protect from – the development of persistent distress, mental illness, substance use, overdose and suicide.
“To succeed in our goals to improve mental health across Ohio and the nation, we must be honest about the challenge. We live in difficult times. The statistics are sad, tragic, and alarming. And they are not numbers — they are people,” said K. Luan Phan, MD, professor and chair of Ohio State’s Department Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. “We all know someone in our family, our neighborhood, our workplace who we have lost to suicide or overdose. We all know someone struggling with depression, anxiety, or addiction — not ten years ago, but right now, right here. This is our why.”
During the event, Patrick J. Tiberi, President and CEO of the Ohio Business Roundtable, was honored as this year’s recipient of The Ohio State University STAR Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Fields of Trauma and Resilience. Tiberi is a Buckeye alumnus, business leader, member of The Ohio State University Board of Trustees and a mental health advocate and champion.
In recent years, the Ohio Business Roundtable has elevated the topic of mental health as an important workforce concern. Under Tiberi’s leadership, numerous CEO forums have been convened to shed light on the topic and its impact on the workplace.
The event also featured remarks by Ohio State Head Football Coach Ryan Day and a personal story of resilience shared by Melissa Plummer, who is a mental health advocate and SOAR Study participant.
Rounding out the event was a performance by women representing Harmony Project’s Prison Arts Program at The Ohio Reformatory for Women.
Photo Caption: Front row, left to right: Holly Kastan, Senior Strategy and Transformation Officer, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center; Robert H. Schottenstein, Chairman of the Board, CEO and President, M/I Homes, Inc. and member of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Board; Patrick J. Tiberi, President and CEO, Ohio Business Roundtable, member of Ohio State Board of Trustees and 2026 STAR Award winner; K. Luan Phan, MD, Chair and Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, and Jeffery Schottenstein Endowed Chair of Psychiatry and Resilience, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Director of Psychiatry Services, Ohio State Wexner Medical Center; Mike DeWine, Governor, State of Ohio; Nina Day, 2024 STAR Award winner
Back row, left to right: Jeff M.S. Kaplan, Chair, Ohio State Board of Trustees; John J. Warner, MD, CEO, Ohio State Wexner Medical Center and Executive Vice President at Ohio State; Trevor Brown, PhD, Interim Executive Vice President and Provost, Ohio State University; Lalita Kaligotla, Associate Clinical Professor, The Ohio State University College of Nursing; Melissa Plummer, SOAR Advocate; Ryan Day, Head Coach, Ohio State Football and 2024 STAR Award winner
Media Contact
Eileen Scahill, Ohio State Wexner Medical Center Media Relations, Eileen.Scahill@osumc.edu