Root Center Welcomes John M. Sheehan as President and CEO. Root Center for Advanced Recovery is pleased to welcome John M. Sheehan, MBA, FACHE, as President and Chief Executive Officer, beginning a new chapter of leadership as the organization continues expanding access to compassionate, evidence-based mental health and substance use treatment across Connecticut. John brings more than 20 years of executive leadership experience across behavioral health, hospital systems, and healthcare innovation. Throughout his career, he has helped organizations grow, strengthen operations, expand access to care, and respond to the evolving needs of the communities they serve. Experienced Leadership in Behavioral Healthcare Prior to joining Root Center, John served as Chief Executive Officer of Harbor, one of the largest behavioral health providers in the Midwest, based in Toledo, Ohio, where he led organizational growth and expanded access to integrated healthcare services. He previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mind Springs Health, a community mental health provider in western Colorado, and President and Chief Executive Officer of Rochester RHIO, a regional health information exchange in New York. Earlier in his career, he held leadership positions with BayCare Health System in Florida, contributing to the advancement of behavioral health programs and services. Across each of these roles, John has focused on strengthening organizations, expanding access to care, and improving how services are delivered. His experience in organizational strategy, clinical program development, and operational excellence will help support Root Center as it continues to evolve and meet the needs of communities across Connecticut. Looking Ahead at Root Center Founded in 1871, Root Center has served Connecticut communities for more than 150 years. Today, the organization provides mental health and substance use treatment through a network of outpatient and residential programs across the state. At the heart of John’s leadership approach is a commitment to people — those seeking care, the families supporting them, and the staff who dedicate their careers to helping others. “I am honored to join Root Center for Advanced Recovery and work alongside a team so deeply committed to improving lives,” said Sheehan. “Root Center has a longstanding history of providing compassionate, evidence-based care to individuals and families across Connecticut. I look forward to building on that foundation, listening to our staff and community partners, and working together to expand our impact.” As Root Center begins this next chapter, we look forward to John’s leadership as we continue supporting our staff, strengthening community partnerships, and expanding access to the care and support individuals and families deserve. Learn more about John, his experience, and his leadership at Root Center by visiting his leadership bio.

Throughout October, teams across Root Center put their creativity to the test as part of our annual pumpkin decorating contest. What started as a little friendly competition quickly turned into a display of imagination, teamwork, and plenty of personality. From familiar characters and seasonal scenes to food-inspired creations, beach themes, spooky setups, and unexpected humor, our clinics found all kinds of ways to transform a simple pumpkin into something completely their own. After a month of creativity and some friendly competition, one team ultimately took home the top spot. And the winner is... Branford! Congratulations to our Branford Clinic, whose creative take on "How Pumpkin Pie Is Made" earned this year's winning title.