OUR HONOREES Dr. Joseph Bevilacqua cont'd
Dr. Bevilacqua accomplished pivotal reforms in each state including creating strong partnerships with academic institutions, and
establishing systems of community support enabling persons with severe mental illness to live independently. Said a colleague,
"It was Dr. Bevilacqua who put in place the foundation of Rhode Island's award winning Community Mental Health Program, of
which The Kent Center is a fine exemplar. Dr. Bevilacqua also modeled for us who worked with him the spirit of cooperation
between Community Agencies and the State Mental Health authority that has been the hallmark of Rhode Island's system and for which Rhode Island is justly held in high esteem among the other states."
Although he retired to Little Compton in 1999, Dr. Bevilacqua has remained extremely active as a consultant and continues to be
committed to assisting consumers of mental health services to realize a sense of security, economic welfare, belonging and
control of their lives. He currently serves on many Boards of Directors including: the New England Coalition for Health Promotion,
Mental Illness and Substance Abuse Prevention; National Research Training Center on Psychiatric Disability at the University of
Illinois at Chicago; The Poverty Institute at RI College, and the RI Mental Health Association. The Kent Center, which operates
Hillsgrove House, Rhode Island's only certified clubhouse, is particularly grateful for Dr. Bevilacqua's support of the expansion of
the clubhouse model of service in Rhode Island. Dr. Bevilacqua's wife, Mary Ann, and his daughter, Christina, attended the breakfast and proudly watched as he accepted The Kent Center's Outstanding Leadership Award.
Kent Hospital cont'd
Kent Hospital has served our community for over 50 years. Kent opened in 1951 with 90 beds, and today it has 359 beds and
serves 300,000 residents of Kent County and adjoining towns. Kent's Emergency Services Department is second busiest in the state with 60,000 annual visits.
The Kent Center and Kent Hospital certainly have a long history of working together to assist those with mental illnesses and
devastating addictions through emergency situations. In more recent years, the two organizations have solidified their
relationship through a partnering of The Kent Center's Emergency Services staff and the hospital's Emergency Room staff, helping to guide members of the community in crisis through some of their darkest days. Sandra Coletta, President & CEO of Kent Hospital, accepted the award. Also on hand to share in the accolades were members of
Kent's Emergency Department staff and members of the Center's Emergency Services team. T.J. Maxx cont'd
T.J. Maxx has participated in Hillsgrove House's Transitional Employment (TE) program since 2006 and 13 Hillsgrove House
members have benefited. Some of these members were present at the breakfast and helped to express the Center's and the
club's appreciation of T.J. Maxx. Many who have worked in a TE position have moved on to more independent employment
situations. One woman in fact was hired on full-time at T.J. Maxx. Cathy Conninford, beaming with pride as T.J. Maxx received
their award, has a permanent position at T.J. Maxx, which she very much enjoys. Her family is very proud of her and she's even gotten a raise.
Maria Domingues & David Robida, store managers at T.J. Maxx of Warwick, accepted the award. John Warren cont'd
John Warren is one of Rhode Island's most respected business leaders. He is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The
Washington Trust Company and Washington Trust Bancorp. He oversees the $2.7 billion financial services institution, guiding
the corporation into its third century of business. Mr. Warren has had a very successful banking career. Early in his career, he
spent 15 years with Shawmut National Corporation where he held various positions, including Senior Vice President. He left
Shawmut National in 1988 to become President of Sterling Bancshares. Under his leadership, Sterling tripled in size and gained a reputation for excellence with customers, shareholders, and the community.
Mr. Warren's credentials are also stellar, having graduated from Yale University in 1967 and from the Harvard Business School
Program for Management Development in 1987. From 1967 through 1971, he served in the United States Army as a North
Vietnamese Linguist. In 2008, he received an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration degree from Bryant University.
Above and beyond all of that, John Warren is a dedicated community volunteer, and that is why The Kent Center honored him.
Mr. Warren serves on the Boards of numerous civic, professional and charitable organizations. Currently, he serves on the Board
of Directors of the Rhode Island Public Expenditure Council; the Board of Governors of the Rhode Island Commodores; the
Executive Board of the Narragansett Council - Boy Scouts of America; the Board of Advisors for Rhode Island for Community &
Justice; and The United Way of Rhode Island, where he is Chairman. Mr. Warren also serves on the Board of Trustees of The
Westerly Hospital, where he is Assistant Secretary, and as Incorporator for South County Hospital Foundation. In addition, he is a member of the Brown University Civic Leadership Council.
Mr. Warren has been recognized for his contributions by many organizations. He is the recipient of the 2004 Humanitarian Award
from the National Conference for Community and Justice, the 2004 Encore Award for Support of the Arts from the Arts &
Business Council of Rhode Island, the 2005 Community Service Award from Leadership Rhode Island and the 2006 Business
Leadership Award from The Providence Business News. John is the recipient of the United Way's Alexis de Tocqueville Society
Philanthropy Award and the Senator John H. Chafee Distinguished Citizen Award. This past summer, John also received the
Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the National Eagle Scout Association, the organization's highest award. Others to receive
this award include President Gerald Ford, astronaut Neil Armstrong, NBA player and NJ Senator Bill Bradley, and film maker Steven Spielberg.
The Kent Center was honored to have Mr. Warren visit The Kent Center and Hillsgrove House, and appreciate his support of
community behavioral health and thank him and The Washington Trust Company for their support of our Capital Campaign.
The Center was also pleased to have Mr. Warren's wife, Karen, present to watch her husband accept the Eleanor Briggs Award. |
