SALISBURY, MD – Leslie Brown has retired from her role as President and Chief Executive Officer of Hudson Behavioral Health. After fourteen years with Hudson – eleven as CEO, she ended her tenure in early July. During her illustrious career, she has worked in finance and management, primarily in the non-profit realm, for more than 35 years.
“Leslie’s impact on Hudson has been transformational. Under her leadership Hudson has tripled the number of total beds to provide life-saving recovery treatment to patients, cementing Hudson’s place as a leading inpatient recovery facility on the Delmarva Peninsula,” said Board Chair Michelle Grager. “We will miss her enthusiasm, guidance, and hands-on approach, and wish her an exciting road ahead.”
Brown’s legacy is one of exponential growth in not only the organizational footprint but also the levels of care offered. In 2018 Hudson purchased and renovated a building to move their administration and admissions offices, allowing for the addition of 19 beds on campus to include detoxification beds. Brown also oversaw the addition and transformation of five treatment houses, enabling patients to stay in treatment longer and receive individualized care.
During Brown’s tenure, Hudson added detoxification services, low-intensity residential treatment, and mental health services, forming a continuum of care to treat holistically and address the full scope of patient needs. Brown’s development of rigorous protocol, training and tracking allowed Hudson to remain open during the pandemic to serve those in need.
“My career with Hudson has been the most rewarding experience of my life,” Brown said. “I’m excited to see all the new opportunities headed Hudson’s way, and although my chapter here has come to an end, my heart will always belong with this organization.”
Judith Caprio Named Next CEO
After an extensive search, Judith Caprio, JD, MS was selected to be the next President and CEO of Hudson Behavioral Health. With a long career in criminal justice and behavioral health, Caprio most recently served as the Director of Community Health Services at the Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH).
Caprio 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, Caprio 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.
Caprio 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.
“Judi’s vision for Hudson aligns with our mission statement and values, and the Board of Directors looks forward to working with her as she builds on the strong foundation that Leslie left behind,” said Grager.
About Hudson Behavioral Health
Hudson Behavioral Health was founded in 1980 and is licensed to operate in both Maryland and Delaware. The nonprofit is accredited by The Joint Commission, receiving its Gold Seal of Approval. Learn more about Hudson’s innovative approach to recovery, behavioral health and wellness at www.hudsonhealth.org. Hudson Behavioral Health is an affiliate of Hudson Health Services, Inc.
