Since his appointment as Interim President in April 2023, Gordon has done an outstanding job setting Community Healthlink (CHL) on a path toward organizational success. Gordon has thoughtfully engaged CHL caregivers and UMass Memorial system leaders in developing and executing on a plan that will ensure the organization’s ability to continue to serve the residents of Central Massachusetts who are suffering with behavioral health and substance use disorder challenges.

Soon after the difficult decision was made to voluntarily suspend admissions to CHL’s Continuum substance use disorder treatment programs — Detox, PASSages, and Thayer Transitional Support Services (TSS) — to ensure the care provided is of the highest standard, Gordon, in close partnership with his leadership team and committed caregivers, began the steadfast journey to reinstate these programs. Just last month, TSS reopened, and the other programs are on a path to reopen soon.

In addition to his work related to the Continuum, Gordon launched five strategic priority workgroups — Access, Health Equity, Staffing/Infrastructure, Sustainability, and Welcoming Environment — which are progressing well with the engagement and commitment of caregivers across the organization and workgroup leaders. One example of this success is in the area of staffing. In collaboration with Talent Acquisition, Gordon and his outstanding Human Resources team implemented new caregiver retention and recruitment strategies that have resulted in more caregivers hired and fewer leaving the organization.

Gordon and his exceptional leadership team have also reorganized CHL’s outpatient and community-based programs to ensure standards established by the state are met regarding access and response times, as well as other criteria. Two new service groups — Community Behavioral Health Center Services and Community-based Services — were introduced and services were realigned accordingly to ensure the best care for clients. 

With his skillful management of efforts to reopen the Continuum programs, his ongoing work to strengthen CHL’s core areas of competency, and his significant efforts to support our valued caregivers and minimize any impact on clients, Gordon's influence on CHL has just begun.

Prior to serving as Interim President, Gordon held several other roles at Community Healthlink, most recently serving as Vice President for Adult Outpatient Services. Gordon has also served as President and Chief Executive Officer at LUK Crisis Services in Fitchburg and has been, for many years, an adjunct faculty member at Fitchburg State University, teaching courses in the Division of Graduate and Continuing Education.

Gordon received his bachelor’s degree from North Park College in Chicago, and his Master of Divinity degree from North Park Theological Seminary. He received his Master of Arts in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling from Santa Clara University, and his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Pastoral Psychology from Boston University. Gordon is a Massachusetts Licensed Psychologist and Certified Health Care Provider and a Massachusetts Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.