Indianapolis, IN – October 30, 2025 – The Jane Pauley Community Health Center appoints Psychiatry Medical Director, continuing to pursue integrated healthcare.
As part of the Jane Pauley Community Health Center’s (JPCHC) mission to provide integrated behavioral healthcare, their leadership and HR teams developed a new leadership position and appointed Dr. Areef Kassam as Psychiatry Medical Director. This appointment coincides with several initiatives to expand the behavioral health services offered at their clinics, including the hiring of new psychiatric providers and the introduction of substance use disorder services.
Dr. Areef Kassam joins JPCHC following a successful psychiatric career, including several supervisory and directorial roles at the Community Health Network. He received his MD from the Medical University of the Americas and earned an M.P.A. in Healthcare Administration from Indiana University.
According to Dr. Brendon Smith, JPCHC’s Executive Director of Integrated Behavioral Health, “Dr. Kassam’s expansive career and education in not only psychiatry, but also administration, prove him to be an excellent candidate for furthering the reach of behavioral health within the organization. This position is key to offering more behavioral health and medication management services here under the clinical leadership of Dr. Kassam.”
Jane Pauley Community Health Center has recently undergone several expansions and additions to its behavioral health offerings. They have added several new therapists and PMHNPs at their clinics and have begun utilizing the BH Consultant framework to offer more help to those who need it, integrated within their regular appointments. This also coincides with the acquisition of Turning Point System of Care last year, presenting JPCHC with the opportunity to add more substance use disorder services throughout their clinics.
“It is so special to be a part of a team that recognizes the importance of behavioral health services and takes action to integrate those services into their FQHC model,” says Dr. Areef Kassam. “I can’t wait to see how my collaboration with the rest of the behavioral health leadership team here at JPCHC can propel us forward and fill the behavioral health gap for Indiana communities.”
About the Jane Pauley Community Health Center
Established in 2009, Jane Pauley Community Health Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center dedicated to making high-quality medical services accessible to all families. Its mission is to provide accessible, respectful, and integrated healthcare to all, regardless of insurance status. With locations across central Indiana, JPCHC offers various services, including preventive care, family medicine, behavioral healthcare, pediatrics, dental care, pharmacy services, and more. To learn more, visit: janepauleychc.org
