Pawnee Mental Health’s governing board has announced a new Chief Executive Officer, who will succeed the retiring Robbin Cole.
Michael Rezkalla, MPA, MA, was introduced as the board’s choice Thursday following an extensive, national search process. Rezkalla most recently worked as Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer of UMass Memorial Healthlink in Worcester, Massachusetts, a large multi-service, behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment and community health provider. Community Healthlink is a large multi-service, behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment and community health provider. Community Healthlink is CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) Accredited. It is also a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) and a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC).
“We are delighted to welcome Michael Rezkalla, as our new CEO,” said Anne Browne, Pawnee’s outgoing Governing Board Chair, who led the search committee. “His exceptional leadership skills, strategic insights, and industry knowledge make him the ideal choice to lead Pawnee into the future.”
Rezkalla has a Master of Public Administration and Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry both from Anna Maria College in Massachusetts. Current CEO Robbin Cole spoke highly of her successor on KMAN’s In Focus Thursday morning.
Cole says she believes his prior experience working for a certified community behavioral health clinic and a community health center will be paramount for the organization’s future success.
“I am immensely humbled by the Search Committee’s commitment to the mission of the organization and grateful for their decision to select me for this role. I would like to seize this opportunity to thank everyone who participated in the search process including but not limited to Ms. Anne Browne, Board Chair, and all members of the Search Committee,” says Rezkalla. “Ms. Robbin Cole leaves big shoes to fill. Her legacy of accomplishments, advocacy for the advancement of mental health services, and passion for the mission of the organization are significant, and humbling. I look forward to spending some time learning from her before she transitions out of her role in May 2024.”
He will begin with Pawnee Mental Health March 4. He and Cole will work together to ensure a smooth transition in leadership. Cole’s retirement is effective May 1.
