We honor the life and legacy of Dr. Marvin “Marv” Erisman, founding Board Chair of the Center for Integrated Family and Health Services (CIFHS).
As an APU Faculty Emeritus and organizational consultant, Dr. Erisman dedicated his life to building compassionate communities, coaching, and educating healthcare professionals. More than 25 years ago, Marv Erisman, Dr. Aja Tulleners-Lesh, and Bill Nigh, CEO, helped establish CIFHS with a shared vision of providing integrated mental health services, substance use prevention, and professional training opportunities for the San Gabriel Valley community. What began as an idea sketched onto a napkin grew into an organization dedicated to healing, hope, and recovery for children, adults, and families throughout the community.
As the founding Board President for 23 years, Marv helped shape CIFHS into a place of compassionate care and support. His vision of building caring communities grounded in compassion, connection, and support for others continues to guide our mission today.
Those who knew Marv often spoke of his wisdom, humility, and deep care for others. Marv said, “What we need are better systems for delivering mental health and well-being — especially in the workplace where people spend most of their lives.” He understood that helping others is shaped by the dynamic relationship between competence, character, and care — values that run deep into one’s humanity, identity, and sense of community.
Through his teaching and work with healthcare organizations through Erisman Consultancy LLC, Marv believed that stronger systems of care, compassion, and support were essential to helping people and communities thrive. He often said, “There will never be enough therapists to cure the world’s suffering,” reinforcing his belief that lasting change requires not only compassionate individuals but also strong systems that support healing and well-being. Marv described care not as sentimentality, but as one of the highest virtues — a principle that shaped both his life and his work.
Continue His Legacy | Marv Erisman Caring Community Endowment
Created in honor of Marv’s vision for a caring community, the endowment will help children, adults, and families in need access mental health care while also investing in the education, training, and development of clinicians and future mental health professionals.
Marv believed that caring communities are built by investing in both people in need and the professionals called to care for them. By expanding access to compassionate mental health services and helping develop future generations of clinicians, the endowment continues Marv’s lifelong commitment for generations to come.
Or, mail a check to the Center for Integrated Family and Health Services, 540 S. Eremland Drive, Covina, CA 91723. Attn: Marv Erisman Endowment
Share Memories, Reflection, and/or Photo
The family has requested friends, family, colleagues, students, and community members to share memories, stories, or photographs in celebration of Marv’s life and impact.