About Us

When You’re Ready…We’re Here to Help.

Hudson Behavioral Health was formed in 1980 (as Hudson Health Services, Inc.) to bring the first residential addiction treatment program to the Eastern Shore. Today, thousands of patients later, we remain focused on providing quality care and developing innovative programs to individuals address all of our patient’s needs.

Our program is “evidence-informed,” which means there is real science behind it. As you will read in the testimonials on this site, our patients learn to live drug and alcohol-free, building resiliency while rebuilding their lives.

We believe in you and in your power to recover. And, you can trust in us. We are accredited by the Joint Commission, which means you can trust the quality of care we provide and the safety of our facilities.

Go ahead – plant the seed of recovery. You will be amazed at how you will grow.

our mission

Enrich the mind, body, and spirit by providing evidence-based clinical care and recovery support services.

our vision

Hudson Behavioral Health will be a recognized leader in the provision of quality behavioral health treatment and recovery supportive programs.

Our Values

Program excellence

We believe that all programs we offer must be of the highest quality. All programs are continuously evaluated, and the results guide ongoing program adaptation and innovation.

Compassion

We are committed to having the peripheral vision to see others when they are struggling and helping them along their journey.

innovation

We seek input from those we serve on how we could do things better. We encourage staff to keep their pulse on community needs and bring their ideas back for program development and adaptation.

Involved and Empowered Employees

Our employees are skilled and passionate about their work. To this end we provide ongoing training and supervision, which allows them the opportunity to grow and succeed.

Integrity

We provide transparency in matters critical to the organization and to those who support us.

Advocacy

We exist to serve those who access behavioral healthcare and their families. We commit to walking alongside them and always fighting for the betterment of the behavioral health treatment system as a whole.

Diversity

We respect and value diversity of ideas and people, creating an environment that is inclusive of all.

Collaboration

We are a strong partner in addressing social determinants of health that negatively impact individuals in our community. Being a part of a united front results in a healthier population and strengthens its social safety net.

teamwork

We are one company, one team. We are committed to a teamwork environment where every person is a valued member.

Our Leadership

Leslie Brown

Interim CEO

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Suzanne Caputo

Director of Human Resources

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Leah Evans

Director of Compliance & Quality Assurance

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Keith Johnson, EdD, LMSW

Director of Housing

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Rita Mecca

Chief Financial Officer

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Shiela Pullen, LPN

Director of Admissions

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Kelly Pullen

Director of Environmental Services

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Joshua Pippin

Program Manager, Maryland Housing

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Michele Sterling

Clinical Director

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Alex Pullen

Marketing & Community Liaison

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Key medical staff

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

Medical Director

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Joyce Parsons, EdD, RN

Director of Nursing

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Kellie Noonan, CRNP

Nurse Practitioner

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MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Dr. Efigenio Leynes Bautista, MD

Psychiatrist

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

Mental Health Therapist

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Veron Johnson

Mental Health Therapist

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KEY CLINICAL STAFF

Melissa Barone, ADT

Residential Counselor

Jennifer Dennis, aPHR, ADT

Residential Aftercare Coordinator & Case Manager

Alexis Bell, LMSW

Residential Counselor, MD Housing

Alana Foskey-Martin, CPRSS

Certified Peer Recovery Specialist Supervisor

Jason Burroughs, BASW, CSC-AD

Residential Aftercare Coordinator & Case Manager

Mikki Gale, CSC-AD

Residential Counselor

Katie Cleaver, CSC-AD

Admission Counselor

Rebecca Kimmons, CAC-AD

Maryland Residential Housing Counselor

Sheila Kroon, CSC-AD

Admissions Counselor

Nicole Melendez

Case Manager/Peer Support

Christina Perry, CSC-AD

Manager of Utilization Review

Jessica Rickels, LMSW, CAC-AD

Residential Counselor

Joe Seminara, CSC-AD

Maryland Residential Housing Counselor

Monique Snead, ADT

Residential Counselor

Jermaine Wallace

Behavioral Health Aide Supervisor

Matthew Ward, CAC-AD

Lead Residential Counselor

Board / Executive Committee

Michelle Grager, Chair

Anthony Sarbanes

Laura Rodriguez

Tyrone Mills

Toni Keiser

Board of directors

Michael Trader, LCSW-C

Nate Passwaters

Karen White

Dr. Ryan Messatzzia

Cynthia MacDonald

Board of directors

Health Officer Wicomico & Somerset Counties
Lori Brewster, M.S., A.P.R.N., L.C.A.D.C.

Health Officer Worcester County
Rebecca Jones, RN

Health Officer Dorchester County
Roger Harrell, M.H.A.

in their words

"My stay at Hudson was better than I expected it to be! During the COVID-19 pandemic I was nervous about my freedom being compromised. I was definitely wrong. I felt very comfortable and the staff treats you great and with respect. Just make sure that you treat them the same. Hudson gave me the tools to live a sober life and they can do the same for you. Just make sure you use them!"

“Hudson is a great place for recovery. They care and it shows. I highly recommend them to anyone who needs and wants to get off alcohol and drugs. Thank you all!”

"All the staff, counselors and techs were very helpful and respectful towards me. I am grateful for all the knowledge and motivation that Hudson provided for me. I am also grateful for peer support and the opportunity to go to the 3.1 housing to continue my recovery in a more structured environment. If you take this opportunity serious, Hudson can change your life for the better and I will forever be grateful.”

“Hudson gave me information about my addiction. I stored that in my mind and heart and will use it to stay clean.”

“Hudson saved my life. The program was helpful for me. The staff was awesome. Now I have another chance to live a clean and sober life.”

“From the techs to peer support to nursing, everyone was terrific. They were kind, funny, caring, and serious when necessary. I was given the tools necessary for my recovery.”

“Everyone I met and spoke with at Hudson showed a genuine concern for my recovery and welcomed me with open arms.”

“Hudson changed my life forever. I found a lot of comfort here and it felt so safe I was able to work through some of my darkest times. I know that I am never alone. Thank you for giving me my life back.”

“I am thankful for Hudson for giving me the chance to find myself and build a healthy life for myself. The staff at Hudson really cared and it shows.”

“Hudson allowed me to love myself again. They also helped me gain and want a better future. I’ve found myself doing things I never thought I’d do again. Thank you to Hudson and all the staff that helped me through this.”

“Hudson is a great place and I recommend it for anyone who is trying to stop using. Medical staff and Peer Support are all very helpful.”

“I enjoyed myself while I was at Hudson. Staff was very polite and helpful. I learned a lot from the groups and from my counselor.”

“Hudson is a great place with caring staff. Having been in four other treatment facilities, Hudson really changed my thought process. Small changes really can lead to big results. I am so thankful for this opportunity.”

“When I first came here I was suicidal and really hopeless. It took me a little while to warm up to them because I didn’t trust people due to past trauma. These people made me feel that I could open up and share my most deep and darkest secrets. And I did. They didn’t judge me or discourage me about anything. They helped me through it. They are special to me and will always have a place in my heart. I wish everyone who has problems with drugs and alcohol to come here and receive God's gift of life. They are here to help you receive that gift.”

“I am 25 and have been to about 20 inpatient facilities. Hudson is by far the most helpful and informative rehab I have been to. Everyone is so helpful, and for once I feel like I actually have a chance at staying clean. Thank you for helping me save my life.”

Continuum of Care Offerings

Our program is 40 years in the making, offering an achievable step-by-step process for recovery, from Withdrawal Management to Residential Treatment to Recovery Housing.

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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.

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.

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.

Keith Johnson, EdD, LMSW

Director of Housing

As Director of Housing, Keith is responsible for the programs and staff at each of Hudson's off-campus housing facilities throughout Maryland and Delaware.

Before joining Hudson in 2022, he served as the Psychosocial/Residential Coordinator for Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems. Keith is a Certified Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), earned his Master of Science from Wilmington University, and his Doctor of Education From Wilmington University - New Castle.

Rita Mecca

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.

Shiela Pullen, LPN

Director of Admissions 

Shiela Pullen, LPN, Director of Admissions 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 Director of Admissions.

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

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.

Joshua Pippin

Program Manager, Maryland Housing

As the Program Manager of Maryland Housing, Josh is responsible for overseeing recovery services in Hudson's five Maryland Level 3.1 treatment homes.

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.

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.

Alex Pullen

Marketing & Community Liaison

As the Marketing & Community Liaison, 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Veron Johnson

Mental Health Therapist

Veron Johnson joined Hudson Behavioral Health in 2021. He works with patients throughout their entire time spent at the inpatient campus and treats mental health disorders.

Johnson earned his Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Prior to joining Hudson, he served as a Mental Health Professional Counselor at the Maryland Department of Health in Snow Hill, and before that as a Co-Occurring Mental Health Therapist at Tidal Health.

In 2020, Johnson was nominated as one of the Eastern Shores "100 Most Distinguished Men" for his work as a Mental Health Therapist, and for providing workshops at the 3rd Annual African American Boys Conference.

Judith Caprio, JD, MS

President & Chief Executive Officer

Judi has a long career in criminal justice and behavioral health and has dedicated her career to giving a voice to the voiceless and changing systems for the better.

At Hudson, Judi is tasked with managing a staff of more than 100 people offering a full continuum of care. She joined the organization in 2022. 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.

Judi started her career in community social work in Rhode Island and progressed into the criminal justice system where she developed and oversaw therapeutic communities in all male adult prisons in the State. After earning her law degree, she worked with the court system to develop a pre-trial services program which led to developing alternative sentencing programs for non-violent offenders experiencing mental illness. Before moving to Delaware, the Honorable Albert E. DeRobbio, the late Chief Judge, appointed Caprio the Chief Clerk of the Rhode Island District Court.

In her first position for the State of Delaware, she served as Director of Behavioral Health for the Delaware Department of Correction. She oversaw behavioral healthcare provided to all offenders in Level 5 and Level 4 facilities. She briefly served as Deputy Warden at Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmington, DE before transitioning to the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) as Director of Community Health Services.

During her time at DSAMH, Judi led the Crisis Intervention Services, restructured the credentialing program for behavioral health screeners, and developed and implemented a medical-legal partnership with the local community legal aid society to provide legal representation and advice to individuals receiving DSAMH services.

Judi earned a Master of Science in Counseling from University of Rhode Island and a Juris Doctorate from Roger Williams University School of Law. She is a member of the Connecticut Bar Association, is certified in the State of Delaware to supervise peer recovery specialists and is trained in mediation. Throughout her career, she has worked as an Adjunct Instructor in Criminal Justice and Psychology, teaching at Katherine Gibbs College, Rhode Island College, and Delaware Technical Community College.

Lisa Noland

Director of Housing 

As Director of Housing, Lisa is responsible for the programs and staff at each of Hudson's off-campus housing facilities throughout Maryland and Delaware. Lisa started her career with Hudson in 2015 as a Peer Support and Case Manager. In 2019 she was promoted to Program Director of Delaware Housing, where she oversaw two recovery houses in Georgetown, DE and sought opportunities for expansion.

Suzanne Caputo

Director of Human Resources 

Sher’ra Brown, RN

Sher’ra Brown started her career with Hudson as Director of Nursing, in 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Delaware. She worked as an Addictions Counselor for six years before returning to school to pursue a career in Nursing at Delaware Technical Community College. She has a background working in Pediatrics through end-of-life with hospice. A candidate to receive her BSN in August 2020 from Western Governors University, Sher’ra will continue on to obtain a Master of Science-Leadership and Management in Spring 2021. Her belief is that those with addictions have a right to quality healthcare.

Rebecca Kimmons, CSC-AD

Director of Housing 

Rebecca Kimmons, CSC-AD, earned an Associate of Applied Science in Chemical Dependency Counseling from Wor-Wic Community College in 2012. That same year she joined Hudson at the Broad Street Women and Children's House. Wanting to expand on her professional development, Rebecca moved into a Residential Counselor position at Hudson’s Main Campus, where she worked for two years. She accepted the position of Director of Housing in March of 2016. Rebecca received the Certified Supervised Counselor - Alcohol and Drug (CSC-AD) certification in 2015 and is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work at Salisbury University.

Kevin Meenan, MBA, LCSW-C

Clinical Director

 Kevin joined Hudson Behavioral Health as Clinical Director in April 2018. He is responsible for clinical oversight of all of Hudson’s programs, including those provided at the Main Campus as well as at residential housing throughout the community.

Kevin earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) in 2014 and Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2020, both from Salisbury University. Previously, he completed an Associate of Arts in Chemical Dependency Counseling from Wor-Wic Community College and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Western Connecticut State University. Kevin has years of experience in community-based integrated treatment programs, both inpatient and outpatient, as a clinician and as Clinical Director. He has experience as an adjunct instructor at Wor-Wic Community College and Salisbury University and provides counseling and social work supervision for Associate, Bachelor, and Master level students.

Kennedy Hinman, CAC-AD

Director of Program Development

Kennedy began at Hudson as an Admissions Counselor in 2010 and was promoted to Director of Program Development in 2013. Her enthusiasm for providing direct patient care, deep knowledge of our service areas and available resources, as well as her belief in Hudson’s mission to cultivate and maintain relationships with our partners and provide education in the community makes a difference for patients and staff daily.

After earning an Associate degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling from Wor-Wic Community College in 2010, she completed a bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science from Wilmington University in 2014. She is licensed by the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists as a Certified Associate Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAC-AD) and a Certified Clinical Supervisor.