Rebecca Palpant Shimkets, MS
+1 404-431-2172 - palpantr@gmail.com
Skype rgpalpant –Twitter @RGPalpant
International and Domestic Program &
Project Development Leader
Program Development Expert- Fifteen years professional experience developing and leading domestic and international behavioral efforts on four continents through a public health and public policy institution.
Proven Relationship Builder – Brokered and maintained complex partnerships across disparate groups on 6 continents building a network of over 2000 industry contacts spanning the fields of behavioral health policy, public health, media, and stigma reduction.
Creative Leader – Widely sought across diverse groups in the fields of media and behavioral health policy, public health, and cancer survivorship for the following: board, committee and advisory roles; programmatic collaboration; dispute resolution; development of unique models and initiatives; and advice on program evaluation and research.
Principal Communicator - Presented by-invitation to conferences and meetings on 4 continents, published in peer review and popular press.
Trusted Manager and Advisor – Over a decade of experience overseeing an advisory board of behavioral health and media experts, program staff, and 160 professional journalism fellows.
Related Experience
CONSULTANT 2018-2019
Cancer Survivorship
Advisor on a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) cancer survivor-led intervention development for psycho-social care post-treatment.
Researched, conducted interviews, and wrote a comprehensive white paper on the cancer survivorship landscape including analysis of gaps and opportunities.
Managed and conducted focus groups for a state-funded study on cancer survivorship care plans for the Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan (GC3) 2020-2025.
THE CARTER CENTER, INC., Atlanta, GA 2002-2018
Mental Health Program, Anti-Stigma Activities and The Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism
Sr. Associate Director 2018/ Associate Director 2014-2018 Assistant Director 2010-2014
Domestic and international program development and management for a world-renowned public health and policy organization operating in over 70 countries.
Assisted in directing the strategic planning, development, and implementation of all program and project activities and stigma measurement efforts.
Oversaw the design, implementation, and coordination of the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism that has awarded Fellowships to nearly 200 journalists on six continents in an effort to increase accurate reporting in the media about mental health issues.
Designed new initiatives related to stigma reduction and measurement and advised on programming within the Mental Health Program, including but not limited to the annual national symposium, new initiative development, and new and ongoing activities.
Oversaw a large-scale programmatic evaluation for stigma reduction activities including developing measures for impact and analyzing the data to determine future direction
Directed a statistical analysis of media trends and modified program focus to ensure alignment with emerging changes
Recent Leadership Experience and Honors
Bring Change 2 Mind (Non-profit founded by Actress Glenn Close), Scientific Advisory Board Member (2012-Present)
Global Alliance for Stigma Reduction, U.S. Representative, Member (2015-Present)
Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education, Advisory Board Member for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Grant (2014-2018)
The National Academies Committee on Changing Behavioral Health Social Norms through Messaging for the Public, Committee member (2016-2017)
Atlanta Business Leaders Cancer Project (ABLI), Advisory Committee Member Focused on Behavioral Health (2013-2017)
The National Academies Committee on the Science of Changing Behavioral Health Social Norms, Committee Member (2014-2016)
Center for Dignity, Recovery, and Empowerment of Mental Health Association of San Francisco, Advisory Board Member (2013-2015)
Mental Health America of Georgia, Board of Directors Member (2011-2015)
President (2013-2014)
Executive Committee, Nominating Committee Chair (2012-2013)
Sixth International Stigma Conference, World Psychiatric Association – San Francisco, CA, February 2015 Planning Committee Member and Policy/Advocacy Subcommittee Chair (2014-2015)
Janssen, Mental Illness & Incarceration Communications Advisory Board Member (2013-2015)
The College for Behavioral Health Leadership (formerly American College of Mental Health Administrators – ACMHA)
Board of Directors Member (2012-2013)
Communications Committee Chair (2011-2013)
Emerging Leaders Interest Group (2008-2011)
Fellow (2008-2010)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) (Federal Agency)
Voice Awards, Judge of Accurate Depictions of Behavioral Health in Film and Television (2008-2017)
Wellness Research and Evaluation Initiative, Advisory Committee Member (2012-2013)
ADS Center –Resource Center to Promote Acceptance, Dignity, and Social Inclusion, Steering Committee Member (2010-2012)
Ad Council National Anti-stigma Campaign, Advisory Board Member (2005-2006)
Select Special Projects Development
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Committee Member on Two Committees: Committee on Changing Behavioral Health Social Norms through Messaging for the Public (2016-2017) and Committee on the Science of Changing Behavioral Health Social Norms. Produced a national report on the science of stigma reduction (2014-2016).
The Carter Center Resource Guide for Behavioral Health Reporting, September 2016. Editor – oversaw the editing, production and distribution for a media guide on mental health and substance use conditions.
International Program Development - Oversaw creation, partnership development, launch, and/or ongoing administration of Journalism Fellowship Programs in the following countries:
New Zealand 2002-2006; South Africa 2006-2012; Romania 2007-2014; Colombia 2013-2018;
American Journal of Public Health Special Theme Issue on Stigma and Social Inclusion, May 2013. Project Manager - Oversaw entire development, identification of potential authors, communication with the journal and editors, and launch event that featured former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter and U.S. Congressman Tony Coehlo (CA).
Select Public Health Publications
Ending Discrimination Against People with Mental and Substance Use Disorders: The Evidence of Stigma Change. Committee Member, The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2016.
Carter, R, Shimkets, R, Bornemann, T. Creating and Changing Public Policy to Reduce the Stigma of Mental Illness. Psychological Science in the Public Interest. Vol 15(2) 35-36, 2014.
Palpant RG, Bigham JE, Bornemann TH. 21st Century Global Mental Health, Chapter 16 Mental Health Policy and the Media, 2012.
Palpant RG, Bridging the Gap in Stigma Research to Build Better Mental Health. Global Health Magazine, Issue 9, Winter 2011.
Manderscheid R, Delvecchio P, Marshall C, Palpant RG, Bigham J, Bornemann TH, Kobau R, Zack M, Langmaid G, Thompson W, & Lubar D. Attitudes Toward Mental Illness—35 States, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, 2007 JAMA. 2010;304(2):149-152.
Manderscheid R, Delvecchio P, Marshall C, Palpant RG, Bigham J, Bornemann TH, Kobau R, Zack M, Langmaid G, Thompson W, & Lubar D. Attitudes toward mental illness - 35 states, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, 2007. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2010;59(20):619-25.
Palpant RG, Hawkins K. The Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism. Science Editor Volume 29, Number 6, November-December 2006.
Palpant RG, Steimnitz R, Bornemann, TH, Hawkins, K. The Carter Center Mental Health Program: addressing the public health crisis in the field of mental health through policy change and stigma reduction. Preventing Chronic Disease Volume 3: No.2, April 2006.
Select and Relevant Presentations
Presenter, “Cancer Survivorship and the New Frontier,” Mental Health America National Conference, Washington, DC, June 2019.
Presenter, “The Journey of Survivorship,” Cancer Treatment Centers of America Healthcare Oncology Symposium, Newnan, GA, July 2017.
Presenter, “Spectrum of Survivorship Care,” Georgia Center for Oncology Research and Education Conference, Cancer Survivorship Up-Close and Personal, November 2016.
Opening Plenary Presenting Panelist, “Advancing Survivorship Care through Multi-level Collaboration,” NCI Cancer Survivorship Research Conference, June 2014.
Education & Certification
Inside NGO Atlanta, Georgia
Project Management Certification 2013
Georgia State University Atlanta, Georgia
Master of Science, College of Education, Counseling 1996
Recipient: Full Scholarship
Asbury College
Wilmore, Kentucky
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology 1994
Honors: Cum Laude; Psi Chi Honor Society, President; Dean’s List