Our Community Focus
Empowering Mental & Behavioral Health
The Behavioral Health Symposium, sponsored by the Irving Hispanic Forum, brings together community members, citizens, leaders, and agencies to collaborate across all communities. This event is not just for one group—it’s for everyone in our community who believes that mental and behavioral health are essential to overall well-being. The goal is to build an integrated ecosystem where local agencies, schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations collaborate to share resources, coordinate services, and ensure that no individual falls through the cracks.
Our Role
"Building a Connected Ecosystem for Behavioral Health in Irving"
2026 Symposium Speakers
John W. Burruss, MD
Dr. John Burruss is the Chief Executive Officer of Metrocare Services, the public safety-net for Mental Healthcare and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities for Dallas County and one of the largest providers of these services in the country. Metrocare completes over 3200 clinical encounters every day with a staff of nearly 1200 employees and an annual budget exceeding $170 million. More than 90% of Metrocare’s clients are under or uninsured and over 80% identify as People of Color. Metrocare is also the largest provider
of permanent supported housing in Dallas, helping to address a crucial need in this population.
Before joining Metrocare, Dr. Burruss spent 17 years at Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) in Houston where he served in several roles, including Executive Medical Director for Affiliates, Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer. Clinically, Dr. Burruss has been a practicing psychiatrist on the medical staff at Ben Taub Hospital in Houston and Parkland in Dallas.
Dr. Burruss earned his M.D. and completed psychiatric residency at BCM after a bachelors in Biochemistry from The University of Texas at Austin. He has also trained at the University of Cincinnati School of Medicine and the Harvard School of Public Health. He is a Professor of Psychiatry at UT Southwestern and a Fellow of the American College of Psychiatrists.
Dr. Walter Taylor, Ph D, FACHE
Dr. Walter Taylor currently serves as the Chief Strategy Officer for the North Texas Behavioral Health Authority under the leadership of Carol Lucky, CEO. In this role, he works with the senior leadership team to plan and provide NTHBA’s behavioral health services in the six-county region of Dallas, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro, and Rockwall. Dr. Taylor also serves in a part-time capacity as an adjunct professor of business and political science at Paul Quinn College. Throughout his career, Dr. Taylor has served in the public behavioral health sector and in pastoral ministry. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Oklahoma Christian University, a Master of Arts in History and Theology from Abilene Christian University, a Master of Public Administration, and a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Public Policy from the University of Texas at Arlington. He is also board-certified in Healthcare Management and is now a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Last, but certainly not least, he is blessed to be the father of four adult children and grandfather of six grandchildren.
Event Organizers
Our dedicated team is passionate about mental health awareness and community support, working tirelessly to create a meaningful experience for all participants.
David Gutierrez
Sylvia Orozco
Dee Gutierrez