Incerti retires after 40 years with CMHA

MIDDLETOWN – Following a 40-year career of caring and advocating for individuals living with mental illness and addiction, Community Mental Health Affiliate’s Chief Program Officer Victor T. Incerti is retiring June 30. Grace Cavallo will serve as CMHA’s new Chief Program Officer, according to a statement.

Incerti, a longtime resident of Middletown, began his career at New Britain General Hospital’s Department of Behavioral Health, now The Hospital of Central Connecticut, in 1979 and worked there for 23 years, first as direct clinical care provider and later as a Program Coordinator for outpatient and residential programs for severely mentally ill and substance abusing clients.

Incerti arrived at CMHA in 2002 and remained there for the rest of his career. His first role was as Intensive Residential Service System Manager, where he managed six residential programs, continuing to treat people with severe mental illness and substance abuse disorders, many of whom were transitioning out of state psychiatric institutions. In 2007, he joined CMHA’s Senior Management Team as Vice President of Residential Treatment Programs.

He was appointed Chief Program Officer in 2010, and for the past decade has provided thoughtful and innovative leadership of 40+ programs, from outpatient care for adults, children and families, to intensive home based care, to residential programs, to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) for those struggling with opioid addiction.

He has received well-deserved accolades from colleagues, clients, and coworkers for his unwavering commitment to making life better for those seeking recovery from mental illness and addiction, according to the statement.

Incerti served as chair of CMHA’s Diversity Committee for more than a decade, and worked tirelessly during his tenure at the agency to ensure that care was equitable and responsive to each and every person seeking treatment. He also helped to advance and improve many service delivery models for DCF, including intensive home-based programs for those working to overcome substance abuse to create a safe and stable home environment for their children, according to the statement.

“When I think of Victor and all of the work he has contributed to CMHA over the years, there are simply not enough words to describe his passion and empathy. He has been more than instrumental in helping to create something special here at CMHA, and words cannot ever truly convey that,” says Senior Program Officer Laura Magisano. “One of my all-time favorite Victor sayings that has gotten me through tougher work days is ‘I go where the day takes me.’ He will be missed more than he knows.”

Visit cmhacc.org to learn more.

Contributed photo Victor T. Incerti