FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OHS 2016 Wall of Fame Recipient – Dr. Bradley C. Riemann
OCONOMOWOC, WI – April 14, 2016. The Oconomowoc High School Wall of Fame selection committee has chosen Dr. Bradley C. Riemann, Clinical Director of the OCD Center and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Services at Rogers Memorial Hospital, as the 2016 Wall of Fame Award recipient.
“Dr. Riemann was chosen for this award because he exemplifies our vision, mission, and values as well as the award criteria of making a significant contribution to mankind,” said OHS Assistant Principal Melissa Anders. “He was chosen for his contribution to the health of our local community, particularly the impact he has made with people that experience anxiety who may not be able to afford treatment otherwise. He has given back to our community through youth and charity events, supports people with mental illness, and has built strong relationships with our community.”
Dr. Riemann will host an all-school informational session on April 19 for students so they can meet him and learn more about his work with anxiety disorders. He will be formally recognized at the April 19 school board meeting at 7:00 p.m.
According to the nominating application, Dr. Riemann, a 1982 graduate of OHS, is one of the foremost authorities on anxiety disorders, both in the US and abroad. He has dedicated his career helping Oconomowoc-based Rogers Memorial Hospital grow into an internationally recognized anxiety disorders treatment center, and one of only two residential programs for these disorders in the U.S.
The National Institute of Mental Health states that during any given year in the United States, approximately 40 million adults have an anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders can include conditions such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Panic Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder and Social Anxiety Disorder. It is estimated that the economic burden of anxiety disorders due to lost productivity and absenteeism is more than $60 billion a year. Anxiety disorders are highly treatable through Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which has about a 75% success rate, yet less than one-third of those with these disorders seek treatment.
“Through his work, Brad has made a significant impact in the field of anxiety disorders,” said Stephany Freedman, who along with her husband J. Daniel Rohrer, nominated Riemann for the award. “Brad is committed to raising awareness for the diagnosing and treatment of anxiety disorders, to conducting research that contributes to advances in treatment, and to finding ways for all people who suffer from these disorders to have treatment. He founded the Anxiety Disorders Foundation, a charitable organization to help improve the lives of those affected by these illnesses, by providing free treatment to those who cannot afford it.”
Dr. Riemann received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Health Sciences/The Chicago Medical School in 1992 and became a licensed psychologist in the state of Wisconsin. Since that time, he has been the Director of the Center for Anxiety Disorders at Rogers Memorial Hospital, where he coordinates research and supervises the staff who provide outpatient treatment to children, adolescents and adults with anxiety disorders. He supervises an average of 180 patients daily in the many programs at Rogers.
Additionally, since 1997, he has been the Director of the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Center and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Services at Rogers. This encompasses coordinating intensive outpatient, day treatment and residential programs for children, adolescents and adults suffering from the spectrum of anxiety disorders. In this capacity, Brad coordinates all research and training efforts, including pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship programs.
Brad is active in organizations that contribute to the body of knowledge about anxiety disorders and that promote awareness and understanding of them, including:
- Member, Scientific Advisory Board, International Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation
- Member, Scientific Advisory Board, Beyond OCD
- Chair, Clinical Advisory Committee, International Obsessive-Compulsive Foundation
- Faculty, Behavior Therapy Training Institute
- Member, Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology Advisory Board, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science
He is the author/co-author of 45 articles and papers on anxiety disorder topics. He regularly participates in national and international professional conferences and symposia, and also makes presentations in the greater Milwaukee area for general audiences at venues such as West Wood Health & Fitness and Marquette University. He has appeared multiple times on WTMJ-4’s Morning Blend to talk about anxiety disorders and has been consulted by or appeared on national media such as The Today Show, 48 Hours and The Anderson Cooper Show.
“Brad’s professional accomplishments are impressive, but on a personal level, he’s also an active member of the community, serving as a youth football coach and supporting his church through participation in committees and activities,” said Freedman. “He’s a wonderful person and a good friend. We are delighted that Brad has been selected to be this year’s Wall of Fame honoree!”