Leadership changes are taking place across the behavioral health landscape as key organizations appoint new executives to guide their missions. From psychiatric hospitals to addiction treatment centers and statewide associations, these transitions signal a renewed focus on mental health, addiction recovery, and community-based care.
Below, we explore some of the most notable recent appointments.
Heather Moquin Named CEO of New Hampshire Hospital
New Hampshire Hospital, the state’s only psychiatric hospital, has appointed Heather Moquin as its new Chief Executive Officer. Located in Concord, New Hampshire, the hospital provides inpatient psychiatric services for both adults and children, with a total of 168 beds.
Moquin officially stepped into the CEO role on February 1, following her tenure as the hospital’s Chief Operating Officer, a position she held for over two years. Her appointment follows the departure of Lori Shibinette, who was selected to serve as Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), which oversees the hospital.
Moquin brings decades of experience to her new role. Her career in healthcare began in 1989 when she worked as a lead nursing assistant at Merrimack County Nursing Home. Over the years, she has served in a variety of nursing and administrative positions across New Hampshire, steadily building her expertise in psychiatric and behavioral health services.
As CEO, Moquin will lead the hospital through a time of increasing demand for psychiatric services, with growing attention on mental health care access and crisis stabilization in the state. Her appointment reflects a commitment to continuity, leadership development, and institutional knowledge within New Hampshire Hospital.
Her promotion has been welcomed by many in the state’s healthcare community, given her deep-rooted ties to New Hampshire’s health system and her demonstrated leadership during her time as COO.
Northpoint Recovery Appoints Brian Smart as Regional Medical Director
Northpoint Recovery, a prominent addiction treatment provider based in Boise, Idaho, has also announced a key leadership change. The organization has appointed Brian Smart, M.D., as Medical Director for its Washington state operations.
Northpoint Recovery operates a network of six inpatient and outpatient facilities across Idaho and Washington. The organization offers a comprehensive array of services, including detoxification, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient programs for individuals dealing with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Dr. Smart is a well-known figure in Washington’s behavioral health community. He previously served as a staff psychiatrist and medical director at Smokey Point Behavioral Health in Marysville, Washington. In addition, he held roles at the Eating Recovery Center of Washington, where he was a staff psychiatrist and acting assistant professor.
His extensive clinical and leadership experience makes him a valuable addition to Northpoint Recovery’s growing operations in the Pacific Northwest. Smart assumed his new position on January 13 and is expected to play a critical role in guiding medical strategy, clinical programming, and care quality across Northpoint’s Washington locations.
Northpoint Recovery is backed by Orchard Holdings and Atigun Capital Partners, two Cincinnati-based private equity firms. With Smart’s appointment, the company appears poised to further strengthen its presence in Washington, a region that continues to grapple with high rates of addiction and mental health challenges.
Illinois Primary Health Care Association Names Sara Howe as Executive VP
In Illinois, the Illinois Primary Health Care Association (IPHCA) has announced a significant leadership appointment that underscores its commitment to behavioral health. The trade association, which represents community health centers across the state, has selected Sara Howe as its new Executive Vice President.
IPHCA represents federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), which offer medical, behavioral, and dental services to underserved populations, often at reduced or no cost. These centers are crucial to Illinois’ healthcare safety net, providing care for thousands of low-income residents across the state.
Howe’s appointment is notable for her strong background in behavioral health advocacy. She currently serves as CEO of the Illinois Association of Behavioral Health (IABH), a position she has held since 2007. Her tenure at IABH began in 2000, during which time she became a respected voice in the fields of addiction treatment, mental health services, and policy advocacy.
She is slated to begin her new role with IPHCA in April. Her arrival at IPHCA highlights the growing recognition of behavioral health as a critical component of community health care.
Howe’s extensive experience in public policy, association leadership, and behavioral health makes her well-positioned to help IPHCA members navigate the complex behavioral healthcare landscape. Her leadership is expected to foster greater integration between primary care and behavioral health services at community health centers throughout Illinois.
A Focus on Behavioral Health Leadership
These recent leadership appointments highlight several important themes within the behavioral health field:
1. Emphasis on Continuity and Internal Promotion
Heather Moquin’s appointment at New Hampshire Hospital is a prime example of how promoting internal candidates with deep institutional knowledge can provide stability and continuity, especially during transitional periods.
2. Medical Expertise in Addiction Treatment
The hiring of Brian Smart by Northpoint Recovery reflects the growing emphasis on medical leadership in addiction treatment programs, particularly as providers expand across state lines and diversify services.
3. Integration of Behavioral Health and Primary Care
Sara Howe’s appointment to a leading role at IPHCA signals a broader shift toward integrating mental health and addiction services with primary care in community health settings.
4. Private Equity’s Continued Role in Behavioral Health
Northpoint Recovery’s backing by private equity firms illustrates the ongoing interest of investors in behavioral health services, with leadership appointments playing a key role in scaling operations effectively.
Looking Ahead
Leadership transitions such as these often signal broader shifts within healthcare organizations, reflecting evolving patient needs, funding landscapes, and care delivery models.
As behavioral health providers continue to face rising demand for services, leadership roles will become increasingly important in shaping how organizations respond to pressing challenges such as workforce shortages, care access disparities, and new payment models.
Each of these newly appointed executives brings a unique skill set and perspective to their respective organizations. Their leadership will likely influence not just internal operations but also the broader behavioral health environment in their states and beyond.
Whether through expanding psychiatric care, improving addiction treatment access, or integrating mental health services into primary care, these leaders are poised to drive meaningful change in the months and years ahead.
