FALL RIVER – Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha S.D.V., is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristen Dutra, MA, LMHC, (in photo) to the position of Chief Executive Officer for Saint Vincent’s Services, Inc.  Dutra has been an employee of Saint Vincent’s since February 2000 (twenty-two years) and has held several senior management positions during her tenure, including Clinical Coordinator and Clinical Program Director for the Community-Based Group Home Program and, since 2017, Chief Operating Officer (COO).

In her role as COO, Dutra maintained responsibility for overall clinical and administrative management of agency programs and services and has provided supervision for the members of the Program and Services Leadership Team.  She assumed primary responsibility as Saint Vincent’s liaison with state agencies and has overseen contract implementation and management functions.  Dutra developed the outpatient behavioral health clinic and has worked with community partners to expand clinic service delivery to include in-home, community-based, and school-based services.  She has also overseen Saint Vincent’s Quality Management program and functions and has led the agency’s re-accreditation process to ensure that SVS maintains accreditation status with the Council on Accreditation (COA).

Bishop da Cunha appointed a Search Committee consisting of Saint Vincent’s Board Members and Leadership Staff to recruit and identify Saint Vincent’s next Chief Executive Officer. More than 60 resumes were submitted and, after careful review, Dutra’s application was presented to the Search Committee for consideration as the lead candidate.  The Search Committee interviewed her and, upon diligent consideration, recommended her to Bishop da Cunha for the position.

“I was pleased to accept the Search Committee’s recommendation of Kristen Dutra to succeed Jack Weldon as the Chief Executive Officer of Saint Vincent’s Services,” said Bishop da Cunha. “She brings to the position extensive knowledge of the varied programs and services provided by Saint Vincent’s from her over 20 years of employment there across clinical and administrative management areas. She is ready to lead Saint Vincent’s forward, to continue the agency’s long-time commitment to serving young people and families in this region. I offer Kristen my prayers and best wishes as she begins her new responsibilities.”

Upon learning of Mrs. Dutra’s appointment, outgoing CEO Jack Weldon, said: “As I wind down my fifty-year career and prepare to leave Saint Vincent’s after twenty-five years as Chief Executive Officer,  I am confident that Saint Vincent’s will be in capable hands with Kristen in the CEO position.  She has prepared well for this position, brings solid leadership experience, and enjoys the respect of our community partners, contracting agencies, insurers and managed care entities, licensing and credentialing bodies. I wish Kristen well in her new position of leadership and know that she will continue to achieve the Mission of Saint Vincent’s, going forward.”

Dutra received her undergraduate degree from Stonehill College, a master’s degree in 1997 from Lesley University, and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer on April 1, 2022.

About Saint Vincent’s

Established in 1885 as an orphanage, Saint Vincent’s is now a multi-service, behavioral health, child- and family-serving organization with offices in Fall River, Mass. Staff provides direct care, in-home, and community-based services, outpatient behavioral health, school-based services, residential and group living support, many forms of support and stabilization, respite for families, and life skills training for older adolescents.  For nearly 140 years, Saint Vincent’s has been providing Treatment, Care and Transformation.  For more information, please visit www.SaintVincentsServices.org.

The Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
The Most Reverend Edgar M. da Cunha, S.D.V., D.D.
The Bishop of Fall River