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The Board of Directors of Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare is pleased to announce Dr. Lionel Reed Phelps II, Psy.D., as the organization’s next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 3.
An Evansville native and U.S. Navy veteran, Dr. Phelps is a clinical psychologist who brings more than two decades of leadership experience in behavioral healthcare, organizational transformation, and community mental health. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Southern Indiana before completing a Master of Science and Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology from Capella University. He has devoted his career to advancing access to high-quality behavioral healthcare services and maintains professional affiliations with the American College of Healthcare Executives and the American Psychological Association.
Since joining RiverValley Behavioral Health in 2002, Dr. Phelps held a series of clinical and executive leadership roles, culminating in Vice President of Population Health. Throughout his career, he has led major organizational and statewide initiatives, including workforce expansion, the implementation of innovative behavioral health programs, expansion of mobile crisis and medication-assisted treatment services, and development of a multi-state Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) transformation strategy. He also played a key leadership role in Kentucky’s statewide 988 crisis system implementation, earning a Kentucky Governor’s Citation in 2023.
“Behavioral health needs are growing, and so is the demand for care that’s accessible, innovative, and rooted in the community it serves. I’m honored to lead Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare into its next chapter, and I look forward to working with our team, our board, and our community partners to deliver the quality care every person in this region deserves,” said Dr. Phelps.
The Board of Directors is confident that Dr. Phelps’ clinical expertise and leadership experience position him to guide Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare with distinction.
An invitation to an open house to meet Dr. Phelps will follow in the coming months, offering an opportunity to introduce him to the region’s community leaders and partners.
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