Mayra Diaz

Tuerk House, Inc.

Mayra Diaz joined Tuerk House, Inc. in 2013 as a substance use disorder counselor and advanced through roles as lead counselor, peer supervisor, clinical director and director of operations before becoming the organization’s first chief operating officer two years ago.

When Tuerk House was selected by the Baltimore City Health Department to establish the first Crisis Stabilization Center in Maryland, Diaz traveled to Houston and San Francisco to study how other cities operated their crisis programs, ensuring the Baltimore model followed best practices. She also oversaw the opening of two residential facilities — the Sister Augusta Reilly House in Baltimore and Highland House in Howard County — and added a 3.5 level of substance use disorder care across all houses to provide patients with 24-hour clinical support. She has also contributed to the launch of an Outpatient Mental Health Clinic, an Urgent Care Center and an Integrated Behavioral Health program.

Diaz has worked closely with peer recovery specialists — individuals who have experienced substance use disorder or other behavioral health challenges and apply that lived experience to help others — providing regular feedback, encouraging continued education and helping staff pursue expanded roles within the organization. She has supported peers in returning to school and has encouraged counselors to step into site manager positions.

The Maryland Department of Health reported a 25% decrease in fatal drug overdoses statewide in 2025 and a more than 45% decrease since 2023, results Tuerk House credits in part to its work in and around Baltimore.

This is an honoree profile from The Daily Record’s Top 100 Women awards. Information for this profile was sourced from the honoree’s application for the award. The honoree profiles were written using an artificial intelligence program and supported by honoree nominations, applications and letters of recommendation. Each profile was reviewed, fact-checked and edited for accuracy by The Daily Record’s editorial staff.