WHEREAS, Dr. Elizabeth “Betsy” Neighbors has served the State of Nevada with distinction and professional excellence for 35 years; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Neighbors completed her master’s degree at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and her Ph.D. at the University of Nevada, Reno, and became a Board Certified Licensed Forensic Psychologist; and

WHEREAS, on August 16, 1982, Dr. Neighbors began her career with the Department of Health and Human Services, Rural Clinics as a Clinical Social Worker serving the people of rural Nevada by addressing the mental health needs of the community; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Neighbors served in several positions during her State career; including as a Licensed Psychologist within the Nevada Department of Corrections, an Agency Director overseeing the Lakes Crossing Center in Sparks, NV, and most notably ending her career as the statewide Forensic Director for the Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH); and

WHEREAS, Dr. Neighbors spearheaded efforts to establish a statewide forensic system in both Sparks and Las Vegas, Nevada; which resulted in expanding the forensic capacity in 2005, and again in 2015 in order to meet the growing needs and to better serve the forensic community in Nevada; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Neighbors’ great foresight, passion, commitment, and drive to improve the forensic mental health system included advocating for the creation of the Special Competency Court, serving on the Nevada Board of Psychological Examiners and Nevada Sentencing Commission; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Neighbors has earned the utmost respect of not only the DPBH staff, but also from stakeholders and leaders at all levels of local/city/county entities and State leadership officials within the mental health, forensic, and judicial systems; and

WHEREAS, as a result of the leadership, compassion, dedication and tireless efforts of Dr. Neighbors throughout the course of her career; she has undeniably improved the lives of countless individuals and patients experiencing mental illness and has left an indelible mark within the mental health and the judicial system; and

WHEREAS, the State of Nevada sincerely thanks Dr. Elizabeth “Betsy” Neighbors for her many years of dedicated service to the citizens and visitors of our great State and offers her best wishes for a happy and fulfilling retirement;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, STEVE SISOLAK, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim

DR. ELIZABETH “BETSY” NEIGHBORS