As Lakeridge Health and Durham Mental Health Services (DMHS) prepare to do a voluntary integration on October 1, 2020, one of the last DMHS Board of Directors’ decisions was to honour its long-time Chief Executive Officer Rob Adams by renaming its Oshawa Crisis location the Adams Centre. 

Rob will stay on until the end of the year to guide new leadership in creating a fully-integrated mental health and addictions system for Durham Region. 

Rob started with the agency in 1992 as Program Director. He took over the Executive Director position in 1998 and led the extraordinary growth and success of the agency, which included the steady expansion of existing programs and the addition of many new and innovative services. 

Among the highlights of his tenure, Rob: 

• Expanded the DMHS Supportive Housing program, opening seven locations and developing a rent-supplement program for the Region;
• Spent countless hours creating and leading homelessness initiatives for the Region;
• Expanded Crisis Services from a single-location to three beds locations plus a C.A.L.L. (Crisis Access Linkage Line) Centre;
• Developed hubs for community-based seniors support in Whitby and Ajax; and,
• Established one of the largest Peer Support programs in Ontario.

Rob fostered countless partnerships with hospitals and other community agencies to ensure that clients receive the best possible support. Over his long tenure, Rob positioned DMHS as a leading force in local mental health services. His vision and leadership were the driving force that led to the voluntary integration now underway, and to a more integrated and effective mental health and addictions system in Durham Region. 

Oshawa MPP Jennifer French says, “Under Rob Adams’ leadership, Durham Mental Health Services has grown to provide a vital network of services that support members of our community through difficult times and help them to find stability, comfort, and dignity. His compassion and personal investment have inspired folks from across the Region to care and get involved in DMHS initiatives. Our community is stronger and better for his years of commitment and care. The naming of the Adams Centre recognizes his incredible contribution to Oshawa and the Durham Region, and ensures his legacy of compassion and respect will endure.”

Durham Regional Chair John Henry says, “Durham Region is a place where every person is treated with dignity and respect; where we work to ensure no one gets left behind or falls through the cracks. Rob Adams has worked to make our community better, create partnerships that led to positive local impacts, and making sure our most vulnerable people were taken care of. Choosing the name Adams Centre is a direct reflection of what they do on a daily basis—take care of our most vulnerable, in the same way Rob set the example in our community.” 

DMHS Board of Directors President Bill Sims says, “The Board of Directors is honored to name the Oshawa Crisis location the Adams Center. Rob Adams has led our organization through tremendous expansion and helped clients live to their fullest potential in our community while reducing the stigma of mental health so people do not need to live in fear or silence if they are suffering from these health issues. Naming this crisis center in his honor will provide a lasting testament to Rob’s dedication to our clients and staff.”