Twice the Director: Dr. Keith Schaefer on Missouri’s Mental Health Evolution

Missouri’s two-time Department of Mental Health director, Dr. Keith Schaefer, joins the Show Me State of Mind podcast to reflect on his career, leadership lessons, and the people he mentored.

The episode covers major policy shifts—Medicaid waivers, community-based services, liaison programs, and emergency response in Joplin—along with practical insights on governance, provider partnerships, and improving care for vulnerable Missourians.