New Canaan Hires Part-Time Director Of Behavioral Health

NEW CANAAN, CT — Dr. John Santopietro, President and Medical Director of New Canaan's Silver Hill Hospital, has been named the town’s Director of Behavioral Health, New Canaan First Selectmen Kevin Moynihan and Police Chief Leon Krolikowski announced Tuesday.

Under the part-time position, Dr. Santopietro, MD, DFAPA, will have the following responsibilities:

• Assist with evaluating and improving upon the Town’s mental health and substance use services, policies, and procedures.
• Be the Town’s content expert for behavioral health.
• Provide guidance to the police department where behavioral health is driving behavior and police contact.
• Work collaboratively with all Town Departments to address behavioral health needs.

With this appointment, New Canaan becomes one of the first communities in Connecticut with a Director of Behavioral Health, according to officials.

"We are excited to have Dr. Santopietro on-board so we can all better serve the behavioral health needs of our community," said First Selectman Moynihan in a statement. "Dr. Santopietro will help the Town provide a level of innovative and unparalleled service to the New Canaan Community.

"Given the nationwide and local opioid crisis and incidents across our nation that highlight the need for more effective behavioral health care we are proud to have Dr. Santopietro as part of our team and we are grateful for this strategic partnership with Silver Hill Hospital."

Dr. Santopietro has devoted his career to transforming systems in order to improve care, and the experience of care, for people suffering with mental illness and substance use disorders, officials said. He has held leadership positions in public mental health systems, hospitals, and in the community and is nationally known for his work.

Added Chief Krolikowski, "Frequently the calls we handle involve some aspect of behavioral health. If a resident is in in distress the police are often the very first call for help. Dr. Santopietro will bring an expertise that will help guide us in better handling incidents and serving our community."

According to Dr. Santopietro's bio provided by the town:

[He] graduated from Yale University, Northwestern University Medical School, and completed his internship, residency, and fellowship at Harvard Medical School. He is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association. He serves on multiple national boards including the American Association of Community Psychiatrists, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the American Hospital Association’s Governing Council of the Section for Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Services. He was president of the Connecticut Psychiatric Society in 2012 where he earned an award for his leadership during the Sandy Hook tragedy.

Photo: Dr. John Santopietro. Photo credit: Contributed

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