2025 Year in Review

Jan 27, 2026Blog

2025 was a big year for our organization as we celebrated our 45th Anniversary — a milestone that gave us the chance to reflect on how far we’ve come and recommit to the work still ahead. The year was filled with celebrations, but it was also marked by meaningful growth and progress. From opening two new facilities to expanding our service offerings, each achievement represented one thing above all else: more opportunities to support individuals and families on their journey to recovery.

None of this would have been possible without the compassion, dedication, and tireless efforts of our staff, whose commitment is reflected every day in the lives they touch. The moments highlighted below offer just a small snapshot of what made 2025 so impactful.

BY THE NUMBERS

Patient Bed Days

The following services are provided at no cost to patients and are fully supported by our organization, without external reimbursement. Your support of our Charitable Care Fund helps ensure these vital services remain available to those who need them most.

Ways To give

Miles Driven

$ Spent on Patient Medication copays

$ Spent on Patient Clothing and supplies

$ Spent on Recovery Books for Patients

STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS

We celebrated the promotions of several staff members in 2025. Shiela Pullen, the former Director of Admissions, was promoted to Nurse Educator. Joe Seminara earned the new title of Assistant Director of Housing, and Katie Cleaver is now a Mental Health Therapist. Jennifer Dennis is our new Compliance Coordinator, and Vanessa Tucker is a new Case Manager at Corinthian House in Delaware. Our staff also grew in 2025 as we added 11 new full-time employees to the Hudson team, including Erin Risser, PMHNP, who works in our Outpatient Mental Health Center.

Shiela Pullen

Joe Seminara

Katie Cleaver

Jennifer Dennis

Vanessa Tucker

Erin Risser, PMHNP

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Our outreach team stayed busy in 2025, representing Hudson at a number of event including career fairs, health fairs, the FSARR Recovery Housing Summit, the DE Harm Reduction Conference, overdose awareness and recovery month events, and several walks for recovery. In September, more than 100 attendees gathered at the Enrichment Center for our 45th anniversary celebration. During the event, Wicomico County Council Vice President Jeff Merritt presented an official proclamation recognizing Hudson’s contributions to the region. In November, our team partnered with the Wicomico County Health Department to host Grounds for Conversation, an opportunity to bring addiction recovery advocates together for networking and collaboration.

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FACILITY EXPANSION

After years of planning, in May of 2025 we opened our Outpatient Mental Health Center in Salisbury, Maryland. The center expands access to essential services by offering comprehensive therapy, medication management and personalized support to individuals navigating mental health challenges. We also opened Corinthian II, a newly renovated sober living home in Georgetown, Delaware. Acquired in 2024, this thoughtfully restored facility offers a safe, supportive environment designed to foster long-term recovery from addiction.

The waiting room of our Outpatient Mental Health Center

The exterior of Corinthian II

AWARDS & HONORS

During our 45th anniversary celebration, our Enrichment Center was dedicated to CEO Leslie Brown in recognition of her years of leadership and unwavering commitment. For the fourth year in a row, Hudson was selected as the Best Mental Healthcare Facility by the readership of Metropolitan Magazine. In addition, Dr. Bautista was voted Best Psychiatrist. During the Tuerk Conference on Mental Health Addiction, Counselor Melissa Barone was honored with the Unsung Hero Award, which is awarded to individuals working behind-the-scenes to make significant contributions in the addiction recovery field.

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About us

Hudson Behavioral Health was formed in 1980 (as Hudson Health Services, Inc.) to bring the first residential recovery program to the Eastern Shore. Today, thousands of patients later, we remain the leader in recovery programs and resources, with our staff of 125 committed to serving each patient as an individual.

ABOUT US

Erin Risser, PMHNP

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Erin Risser joined Hudson Behavioral Health as their PMHNP in 2025. Her addition to the team allows for expanded treatment services, and she oversees the Outpatient Center located in Salisbury.

Erin holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Walden University and previously worked as a Psychiatric Registered Nurse at TidalHealth.

Alexandra Richards, PMHNP-BC

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Alexandra Richards joined Hudson Behavioral Health as their PMHNP in 2023. Her addition to the team allows for expanded prescribing and treatment services.

Alexandra received her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Del Tech in 2018, and her Master of Science in nursing from Walden University in 2022. As part of her studies, she interned at Lower Shore Clinic, Inspiration Health Services and Hudson Behavioral Health.

Susan Forrest, LCSW-C, CAC-AD

Clinical Director of Outpatient Services

As the Clinical Director of Outpatient Services, Susan oversees the daily operations of Hudson’s Outpatient Mental Health Center. She provides clinical oversight for staff along with providing supervision for Associate, Bachelor, and Master level intern students.

Susan joined Hudson Behavioral Health in 2023 as Director of Clinical Operations. She has more than a decade of experience working to improve recovery resources in the greater Salisbury area. Susan earned her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) from Salisbury University.

Joyce Parsons, EdD, RN

Director of Nursing

Joyce Parsons is the Director of Nursing at Hudson Behavioral Health. She is responsible for hiring, training, and supervising the nursing staff, and she collaborates with the Medical Director, Clinical Director and CEO on all major medical decisions.

She received her associate degree in Nursing from Wor-Wic in 1979, her bachelor's and master's degrees in Nursing from Wilmington University in 2011 and 2014 respectively, and earned her Doctor of Education from Nova Southeastern University in 2021.

Dr. Robert A. Coker, D.O., DABAM

Medical Director

Dr. Robert Coker is an internist with admitting and consulting privileges at Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Maryland, where he served as Chief of the Department of Medicine from 2005-2007. Dr. Coker is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine (DABAM). He is licensed to practice medicine in both Maryland and New Jersey.

Joshua Pippin

Treatment Housing Manager

As the Treatment Housing Manager, Josh is responsible for overseeing recovery services in Hudson's five Maryland Level 3.1 treatment homes and two Sober Living Homes in Delaware .

Josh joined Hudson Behavioral Health in 2020 as a Behavioral Health Aide, and later advanced to the position of House Manager in which he was responsible for running one of the treatment homes.

Josh is a resident of Salisbury, Maryland.

Kerry L. Turner, MSW, LCSW-C, CAC-AD

Mental Health Therapist

Kerry Turner joined the Hudson Behavioral Health team in 2009. She has worked in a variety of roles leading to her current position, providing mental health therapy in our 3.1 low intensity residential housing program. Kerry holds active Maryland licenses as follows: Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical (LCSW-C), and Certified Associate Counselor-Alcohol and Drug with supervisory status (CAC-AD).

Kerry began her career working as a counselor for persons with substance use disorder, after completing an Associates Degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling at Wor Wic Community College. She subsequently completed Bachelors (BSW) and Masters (MSW) degrees in Social Work at Salisbury University. Kerry also holds a Certificate in Advanced Trauma Treatment Level One from the Ferentz Institute.

Rita Mecca, CMA

Chief Financial Officer

As the Chief Financial Officer at Hudson Behavioral Health, Rita is responsible for overseeing the financial operations of Hudson Behavioral Health, including $10M in annual revenue, 100+ employees and 10 facilities throughout Maryland and Delaware.

Rita joined Hudson Behavioral Health in 2021. She previously served as Controller of Tyson Foods in Berlin, MD and Airpax Corporation in Cambridge, MD, and most recently was a Senior Financial Analyst at Tidal Health.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Marywood College in Scranton, PA and later went on to earn an M.B.A. from Salisbury University in 2003.

Alex Pullen

Director of Marketing

As the Director of Marketing, Alex is responsible for maintaining relationships with community partners and referral sources. Through collaborative discussions with local health officials and other behavioral health facilities, he assesses the needs of the addictions community and works to accommodate those needs.

Alex joined Hudson Behavioral Health in 2021. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in Marketing from Wilkes University in Wilkes Barre, PA.

Michele Sterling

Clinical Director

As the Clinical Director, Michele oversees the daily operations of Hudson’s residential campus. She provides clinical oversight for staff on campus and in residential housing along with providing supervision for Associate, Bachelor, and Master level intern students.

Michele joined Hudson Behavioral Health in 2019 as Residential Lead Counselor. She began her career as a substance abuse counselor after receiving her Associate’s Degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling from Wor-Wic Community College. Michele has worked in a variety of settings including both inpatient and outpatient treatment centers, working with both adolescents and adults. Michele earned her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Master of Social Work (MSW) from Salisbury University.

Suzanne Caputo

Director of Human Resources 

Suzanne Caputo joined Hudson Behavioral Health in January 2017 as Director of Human Resources. She received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Business from SUNY Plattsburgh in New York. For the last twenty years, Suzanne has worked in Human Resources in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, hospice, and home health care. She specializes in Recruiting, Training, and Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS). Suzanne relocated from New York to join the team at Hudson, bringing a valuable perspective from much larger organizations.

Kellie Noonan CRNP, FNP

Kellie Noonan is a nationally certified Nurse Practitioner specializing in family practice and addictions medicine. She completed her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Salisbury State University in Salisbury, MD and then earned her Master of Science at Wilmington University in New Castle, DE. Ms. Noonan is also a certified Buprenorphine provider through the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM). She holds her national board certification through American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Dr. Efigenio Leynes Bautista, MD

Psychiatrist 

Dr. Efigenio Lynes Bautista joined Hudson Health Services in 2005. He was educated at St. Thomas Aquiras University, School of Medicine and Surgery 1970. He also trained at the Manhattan State Hospital in 1974. Dr. Bautista has worked with individuals with co-occurring disorders his entire career and has extensive knowledge in treating individuals with complex diagnosis including Substance-Use Disorders.

Leah Evans

Director of Compliance & Quality Assurance

Leah started her career with Hudson in 2007 and has been integral in program and project implementation. She has contributed years of experience and knowledge to updating and maintaining our extensive Corporate Policies and Procedures to ensure staff and patient safety, as well as to maintaining our Joint Commission Accreditation. She has been instrumental in obtaining and updating various clinical, electronic health record, financial software systems and methods of documentation within the company. Leah manages the overall purchasing for the company, negotiates vendor contracts, assists in obtaining grant funding and insurance company reimbursements. Leah is also one of the leaders of our company Smile Team, that plans employee functions and fundraising initiatives.

Kelly Pullen

Director of Environmental Services 

Kelly Pullen joined Hudson Behavioral Health in 2013 as Director of Environmental Services. Prior to his employment with the organization, Kelly was a successfully self-employed contractor in and around Salisbury, Maryland. He is certified as a Lead Paint Risk Assessor and is a Lead Paint Abatement Contractor. Kelly has been an integral part of key renovations and upgrades that have been made to both our Harting Drive Campus as well as our transitional housing properties.

Rebecca Kimmons, CAC-AD

Clinical Director of Residential Services

Rebecca Kimmons, CAC-AD is the Clinical Director of Residential Services at Hudson Behavioral Health. She began her career at Hudson in 2012 working at the Broad Street Women and Children's House and on the Main Campus as a Residential Counselor. She previously served as the Director of Housing.

In this leadership role, Rebecca is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of Hudson’s residential substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs, encompassing the organization’s main campus as well as housing facilities throughout Maryland and Delaware—a total of 110 beds.

She provides clinical oversight for staff on campus and in residential housing along with providing supervision for Associate, Bachelor, and Master level intern students.

She earned both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Social Work from Salisbury University, and also has an Associate of Applied Science in Chemical Dependency Counseling from Wor-Wic Community College. Kimmons is a Certified Associate Counselor - Alcohol and Drug (CAC-AD).

Suzanne Caputo

Director of Human Resources 

Shiela Pullen, LPN

Nurse Educator

Shiela’s well-rounded professional history and the extensive knowledge she has gained from the more than 20 years she has spent with Hudson uniquely qualify her to serve as Nurse Educator.

She began her career at Hudson in 1998 as a Licensed Practical Nurse in the Nursing Department. She received a Certificate in Nursing from Wor-Wic Community College in 1990 after which she took a position at Peninsula Regional Medical Center where she specialized in MedSurge Nursing. In 2000, she accepted the position of Director of Admissions at Hudson. In addition to her experience at PRMC, she has also worked as a private duty nurse within the local community.

Shiela’s dedication and loyalty to Hudson’s mission and its patients results in a warm and welcoming environment for new admissions.

Leslie Brown

President & Chief Executive Officer

Leslie Brown has served in and led non-profit organizations for most of her career in roles that include Controller, CFO and CEO. Her commitment to helping people recover from addiction and find success in daily life is unparalleled.

At Hudson, Leslie is tasked with managing a staff of more than 100 people over a full continuum of care with a budget of over 7 million dollars. She joined the organization in 2005 as Chief Financial Officer and was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in 2011. During her tenure and due to her vision, the organization has grown, increasing its budget by 300% and tripling staff size – both of which are the key to bringing treatment to people across more locations and creating open access. Among her many responsibilities, she oversees the operations and development of an extensive property portfolio, including the 51- bed main campus and 8 satellite facilities.

Before joining Hudson, Leslie worked at a number of non-profits, in roles that include employee and consultant. Her perseverance, skilled strategic planning, and revenue and investment diversification have led to successful and reliant organizations.