Pawnee Mental Health has announced the appointment of Gordon Lyons, LSCSW, BCD, as chief clinical officer. In this role, he will provide clinical leadership and oversight across Pawnee’s 10-county service area in North Central Kansas. The organization welcomes his nearly 30 years of experience in clinical practice and behavioral health leadership to its team.
Lyons joins Pawnee Mental Health with extensive clinical training and leadership preparation. He earned his Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin and his Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Kansas. He is a Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW) in Kansas, Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Supervisor (LCSW-S) in Texas, and board-certified diplomate in clinical social work (BCD), reflecting advanced expertise in behavioral health practice and leadership.
Throughout his career, Lyons has built extensive experience in both clinical care and organizational leadership. He has served in key roles including chief of behavioral health at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in Fort Bliss, Texas; director of treatment programs at the Military Correctional Complex in Leavenworth, Kansas; and chief of behavioral health at Irwin Army Community Hospital in Fort Riley, Kansas. He began his career at Wyandot Center for Community Behavioral Healthcare (known at the time as Wyandot Mental Health Centerexecutive leadership and clinical teams to strengthen care coordination, impro), gaining early experience in community mental health in Kansas. He most recently operated a successful private practice in the Kansas City area.
In his role as Chief Clinical Officer, Lyons will oversee clinical operations, guide service delivery across programs, and support staff in delivering high-quality behavioral health care. He will collaborate closely with ve access to services, and support ongoing quality improvement efforts across the organization.
Lyons brings particular expertise in trauma treatment, including combat-related trauma and child sexual trauma, as well as adolescent behavioral health, men’s issues, and LGBTQIA empowerment. His background in both military and community mental health settings supports Pawnee’s mission of expanding access to comprehensive, client-centered care across its service area.