Stephen Merz, FACHE is Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Sheppard Pratt Solutions, a division of Sheppard Pratt, one of the largest, most well-regarded behavioral healthcare organizations in the nation. Stephen’s career spans nearly 30 years including roles as Executive Vice President, Operations and Interim President and CEO at Diamond Healthcare, President/CEO of Maine Behavioral Healthcare, and as Vice President & Executive Director of Behavioral Health at Yale New Haven Hospital.
Stephen’s work focuses on integrating behavioral health care into the overall healthcare system, including establishing alternatives to acute care settings, developing novel approaches for chronic conditions such as depression and ensuring behavioral healthcare services are financially strong. Stephen has served on national and regional boards, including the National Association of Behavioral Healthcare, chair of the Behavioral Healthcare Councils of the Maine and Connecticut Hospital Associations, and as ACHE Regent for Connecticut. Stephen holds a master’s degree in Health Services Administration from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.