Beginning in 1964, Washington County Community Mental Health Center set forth with a small but dedicated group of professionals to provide mental health services to individuals and families living in Washington County. Today, with a new name and the same commitment, South Shore Mental Health Center has become a comprehensive behavioral healthcare organization dedicated to serving individuals suffering from mental, brain, emotional and addictive disorders. We are further dedicated to providing support and/or treatment to their families through a full range of mental health and addiction services.

Our vision is to be recognized for creating opportunity for wellness and recovery through innovation and the pursuit of excellence.

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South Shore Mental Health Center, a behavioral health organization, is dedicated to serving individuals suffering from mental, brain, emotional, and addictive disorders. We are further dedicated to providing support and/or treatment to their families through a full range of mental health and addiction services.

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Chairman:  Stephen M. Bessette
Executive Vice President
Consumer, Mortgage and Small Business Lending
The Washington Trust Company - Westerly, RI

Vice-Chairman:  Howard E. Walker, Esq.
Attorney at Law -  Hope Valley, RI

Treasurer:  Dana R. Barlow
Chief Executive Officer
The Moore Company - Westerly, RI

Secretary:  Carolyn C. Traxler
Wakefield, RI

Members at Large

Louis Giancola
President & CEO
South County Hospital Healthcare System
Wakefield, RI

Dr. Edward M. Mazze
Dean, College of Business Administration
University of Rhode Island - Kingston, RI

John Microulis
Deputy Administrator of Disability Determination
State of RI - Dept. of Human Services


Sandra Panzeri
Narragansett, RI

Harold Schofield
Narragansett, RI


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Richard Leclerc – President
Dorothy A. Yeamen, MPA – Chief Operating Officer
Andrew Morris, MD – Medical Director
Victor C. Sardelli – Vice President of Finance/CFO
Jerold L. Cutler – Vice President of Clinical Services
Priscilla Rooney – Vice President of Human Resources



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An estimated 54 million Americans suffer from some form of mental disorder in a given year.
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