Dr. Thomas Bornemann

Dr. Thomas Bornemann, 76, passed away peacefully after a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's Disease on April 3, 2025, in Alpharetta, Georgia. A lifelong advocate for mental health and humanitarian service, Thom dedicated his career to improving the lives of those most often overlooked - individuals living with mental illness and others without a voice in today's world.
Born on October 10, 1948, in Orlando, Florida, Thom's journey of service began with earning a B.A. from the University of Central Florida, followed by an M.S.W. from Tulane University, and ultimately an Ed.D. in counseling psychology from the University of San Francisco. These degrees laid the groundwork for a remarkable career that spanned local, national, and international arenas.
Thom spent his professional life working in public mental health, with a particular focus on refugee mental health and humanitarian assistance. His expertise extended into mental health policy both within the United States and abroad. He held key positions at the National Institute of Mental Health and later served as deputy director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health Services. It was during his tenure at SAMHSA that he led the development of the first-ever Surgeon General's Report on Mental Health—a landmark achievement that brought national attention to mental health as a critical component of overall well-being.
A proud officer in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS), Thom retired at the rank of Rear Admiral/Assistant Surgeon General. Among his many honors were the Distinguished Service Medal and the Surgeon General's Exemplary Service Medal. Yet for Thom, these accolades were secondary to the privilege of serving alongside fellow dedicated USPHS officers and public servants in support of the American people.
Thom's commitment to global mental health continued through his work with the World Health Organization, where he contributed to the World Health Report 2001, which focused on mental health issues worldwide. His career was marked by a deep belief in applying research findings to real-world practice and policy - bridging the gap between theory and action.
Following his retirement from USPHS and tenure at WHO, Thom became Director of the Mental Health Program at The Carter Center under the leadership of former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. In this role, he guided transformative initiatives including the development of a sustainable public mental health system in Liberia aimed at building resilience against future crises. He also championed parity in behavioral health services—efforts that contributed to the passage of the Paul Wellstone and Pete Domenici Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act. This legislation ensured that mental health and substance use disorder benefits would be treated equitably alongside medical benefits—a cause close to Thom's heart.
He was deeply honored to serve under President Jimmy Carter and Mrs. Rosalynn Carter, both of whom spoke warmly of him. It was a testament to his character that even his beloved wife Cynthia accepted Mrs. Carter referring to him affectionately as "her Thom."
At home, Thom was so much more. He was a devoted husband to Cynthia (Wright) Bornemann—the love of his life—with whom he celebrated 54 years of marriage, today being the anniversary of their wedding day. Together they built a family grounded in love, compassion, and unwavering support.
He was a cherished father to three daughters: Jen Bornemann (Stefanie), Lara Mish (Kevin), and Sarah Flaman (Todd). To us, he was not only a guide through life's joys and challenges but also a steady source of unconditional love—a true example of how to live with integrity and care for others.
Thom found immense joy in being "Oompa" to his four granddaughters: Jenna, Lucy, Molly, and Annie, who adored him deeply. His legacy lives on in their laughter, curiosity, and kindness.
He is preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Elizabeth (Muffy) Bornemann; his brother Michael Bornemann; and sisters Liz Stewart and Kathy Cirincione.
We will always remember him as dedicated and strong—a man who lived passionately in service to others while never losing sight of what mattered most: love for family, compassion for all people, and an unwavering belief in justice for those too often forgotten.
May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him and continue to inspire acts of service around the world he so tirelessly worked to improve.
The family will have a private celebration for Dad in June.
For those who wish to honor Thom's memory, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association https://www.alz.org or The Carter Center https://www.cartercenter.org.