Spectrum Health Systems, Inc., a longtime not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing a comprehensive continuum of addiction treatment throughout Massachusetts, today announces the promotion of three valued employees to leadership roles. The strategic appointments of Christina Rossi, Rebecca Polastri, and Heidi DiRoberto to Regional Executive Directors will ensure that outpatient operations continue to run smoothly as the organization significantly grows and expands its programs over the next year.
“We have expanded our geographical footprint significantly in recent years and knew that we needed to strategically grow our leadership team to match,” said Kurt Isaacson, Spectrum Health Systems’ CEO. “With more locations and clients across the Commonwealth, it was increasingly important to institute a strong regional strategy. Christina, Rebecca and Heidi are well-equipped to lead their respective regions and we greatly look forward to the important work they will do for their communities in their new roles.”
Rossi, Polastri, and DiRoberto have a collective 23 years of experience in working with Spectrum. They have all run opiate treatment programs (OTPs) at various Massachusetts locations, and each have been integral in helping to grow those programs. Their previous time spent serving as Program Directors for multiple individual clinics has provided them with the expertise they will need in their new executive positions.
“Christina, Rebecca and Heidi have been incredible assets to our outpatient programs for years,” said Kristin Nolan, Senior Vice President of Behavioral Health at Spectrum Health Systems. “We are thrilled to see them taking on even more responsibility as Regional Executive Directors. Under their leadership we have opened new programs and grown admissions numbers, and they remain committed to improving our treatment offerings at all our locations. We can’t wait to see how they bring their gifts and expertise to their new roles.”
Rossi will now be overseeing Spectrum’s outpatient programs in Framingham, Waltham, Haverhill, Saugus and Weymouth. She began her career with Spectrum as a clinician in 2011. In 2014, she assisted in the opening of the Haverhill OTP and served as its Program Director. Under her leadership, the program grew rapidly and currently treats over 450 clients. In 2016, she opened another OTP center in Saugus. Rossi’s experience in opening and operating multiple clinics has prepared her for her new position as Regional Executive Director, where she will continue to oversee existing programs while supporting our ongoing growth across the state of Massachusetts.
Polastri successfully aided in the launch of Spectrum’s OTP in Pittsfield in 2012 which has continued to grow, now serving more than 600 clients each day. She assisted with the opening of the North Adams program in 2015, where she served as its Program Director. Lastly, Polastri was instrumental in opening Spectrum’s newest center in Great Barrington earlier this year. In her new role as Regional Executive Director, Polastri will oversee all operations in Pittsfield, North Adams, Great Barrington, Southridge, and Leominster.
DiRoberto, who has been working with Spectrum since 2014, will oversee the OTP programs in Worcester as well as the Hub & Spoke program in Worcester, and the OTP programs in Millbury and Milford as the latest Regional Executive Director. She brings six years of experience in supervising OTPs from her time at the Lincoln Street facility in Worcester. As its former Clinical Supervisor and Program Director, she developed the Trauma Informed Care Program, a grief and loss curriculum for use across the inpatient and outpatient systems. DiRoberto also chaired an overdose committee and helped implement a new system for providing all outpatient clients with access to the lifesaving naloxone nasal spray and injectable.
Spectrum has not skipped a beat in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic by continuing to make strategic hires, open new programs, and expand its comprehensive continuum of care. The organization’s new Executive Regional Directors will bring their previous experience to their incoming roles and serve as a vital asset to Spectrum and its clients. We can expect to see access to addiction treatment in Massachusetts continue to flourish under their leadership of Spectrum’s outpatient programs.
For more information about Spectrum Health Systems, visit our website or call 1-877-MyRehab.
About Spectrum Health Systems
Based in Worcester, Mass. and founded in 1969, Spectrum Health Systems, Inc. is a private, nonprofit substance use and mental health treatment provider. Spectrum offers the largest and most complete continuum of addiction treatment in New England — including inpatient detoxification, residential rehabilitation, outpatient services, medication-assisted treatment and peer recovery support. Its subsidiary, The New England Recovery Center provides onsite detoxification and inpatient addiction treatment exclusively for commercially insured and private pay clients. For more information, please visit www.spectrumhealthsystems.org or www.newenglandrecoverycenter.org.
