Calo Young Adult Leadership Changes

Dear Friends,

I am writing to inform you that Calo Young Adults, a one-of-a-kind, community-based transitional living program in Winchester, VA announced that Kathy Donovan, Executive Director and Ken Cuave, Executive Clinical Director are transitioning out of their respective roles. They are giving way to Lynn Sucher, most recently COO of Newport Academy and National Executive Director of Elements Behavioral Health.

"We are grateful for the impact, time and expertise that both Kathy and Ken have provided," said Alex Stavros, Chief Executive Officer of Calo Programs. "When we conceived of opening CYA both Kathy and Ken were entertaining other career paths, but our mutual synergies allowed us to come together to create something very special. Over the past year, since starting Calo Young Adults, we have been honored to serve 30 students. The program is in the best place it has been since inception. In fact, we just added our third Clinical Therapist, Susan Citro, LGSW. Over the past 3 months Calo Young Adults has received more resources and support than ever, and the team is very stable. Given the program's success and the fact we in a position to support this transition is a tribute to their leadership.

Kathy wanted to share: "At the time, I wanted to be home in Bethesda doing clinical work, but the allure and excitement of starting a mission driven, young adult program with Calo was too exciting to pass up. I was intrigued and very much wanted to see and learn Calo. I am grateful for my time with them and believe Calo Young Adults is thriving. I don't have any regrets. We are both now ready for me to return home and begin my outpatient practice. The four hour commute every day was too much and I am simply not interested in running a program. I also want to be living and working in Bethesda, I miss walking to work. My passion is truly as a clinician and parent coach, working directly with my own caseload, not as an administrator. I wish the very best to my team and thank everyone who supported me over the past year. Calo Young Adults is in great hands with the Calo Programs leadership and I am very confident in Lynn Sucher's ability, I believe she will do a wonderful job. No doubt I will continue to refer to Calo.", Kathy can be reached at kkdunny@aol.com or 301-325-9396.

Calo and Donovan have been working on the transition for the past several months. In December 2016 Landon Kirk, Chief People Officer, assumed oversight of the transition and hired Lynn Sucher, MC, LPC, a seasoned former Chief Operating Officer and National Executive Director for several behavioral health care organizations, including Elements Behavioral Health and Newport Academy. Ms. Sucher will assume Kathy's role in April, after a robust on-boarding process. An announcement is forthcoming.

"It was just over a year ago, Dr. Ken Cuave partnered with us to support the development of Calo Young Adults. At the time, Dr. Cuave had closed New Lifestyles and was interested in pursuing other academic and clinical interests, but was so excited about the synergies between us that he stayed-on to provide ad-hoc clinical support, a role that was supposed to remove him from the day to day of managing a program, financials, people and caseloads. One year later, CYA is thriving, its census has quadrupled and Dr. Cuave is ready to take some time away and reflect on this next career move," said Alex Stavros. "I have always been a big believer in trying to help people find what they love doing the most and are best at, but along the way help them succeed and accomplish."

"I owe my contentment with this decision, in no small measure, to the leadership of Calo programs and to Kathy Donovan, Executive Director at Calo Young Adults. While at this time, uncertain of my long term objectives, I have accepted in the short term a temporary consulting assignment with a trusted, graduate school colleague in southern Florida. During this transition period, please feel free to contact me at my prior email address; drkcuave@newlifestyles.net. I wish the very best to all of you who have supported me and my vision throughout the years. I hope we stay in touch," said Dr. Cuave.

Rob Gent, Calo's Chief Clinical Officer has been acting as "Interim Clinical Director" since January 2017 supervising, supporting clinical operations, as well as, providing clinical supervision for clinicians Mary Amtower, PhD and Charis Miller, MA. Rob will also provide supervision for recently hired clinician Susan Citro, LGSW.

Please join me in wishing Kathy and Ken the very best.