NAMI Delaware names Rattay Healthcare Professional of Year

NAMI Delaware held its annual Inspiring Hope Conference, honoring people who improved the lives of Delawareans affected by mental illness.

Families, advocates, community leaders and legislators spent Oct. 4-5 virtually learning the latest research, discovering new resources and skills, and fostering a better understanding of mental health issues at Delaware’s largest mental health conference.

“We hope those who attended left feeling inspired, hopeful and with new information and skills,” said Dr. Joshua Thomas, NAMI Delaware CEO/executive director.


NAMI Delaware presented awards during the conference to people who made a difference in the lives of Delawareans affected by mental illness in 2020, a challenging year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, quarantines and lockdowns.

Healthcare Professional of the Year went to Karyl Thomas Rattay, MD, MS, FAAP, director of the Delaware Division of Public Health.

Rattay was appointed to the post May 2, 2009. She is Delaware’s state health officer, leading more than 700 employees. Rattay is board-certified in pediatrics and preventive medicine and has practiced pediatrics for nearly 14 years.

Thomas praised Dr. Rattay’s leadership during the pandemic.

“NAMI Delaware has a tremendous appreciation for her tireless efforts to address this tragic and life-changing pandemic,” he said. “She has worked so hard to help our state heal and return to more normal conditions while relying on science and public health standards to guide decisions and actions. She also has a strong focus and support for mental health and addiction focus in her leadership at the Division of Public Health,” he said.

NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. What started as a small group of families gathered around a kitchen table in 1979 has expanded into the nation's leading voice on mental health.

Today, NAMI is an association of hundreds of local affiliates, state organizations and volunteers who work in communities to raise awareness and provide support and education that were not available to those in need.

NAMI Delaware was founded in 1983 by Simon and Jill Shute with a group of families desperate for support for their loved ones. The organization has grown to provide a range of awareness, advocacy, support, education and housing to those affected by mental illness in Delaware.

To learn more, go to namidelaware.org.