Walden’s O’Brien is Vice Chair of HSMP

Walden/Sierra Inc.’s CEO Kathleen O. O’Brien, Ph.D., has been elected vice-chair of the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership leadership team.

Walden/Sierra is a premier behavioral health organization serving Southern Maryland. She was elected during the first meeting of the Healthy St. Mary’s Partnership.

Dr. O’Brien earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Maryland, and her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from LaSalle University. She began her long association with Walden/Sierra in 1973, serving as the Clinical Director from 1978 to 1990, when she became the Executive Director.

Her commitment and dedication have been a driving force in the development and expansion of a multi-service behavioral health organization that is respected throughout the State and has received national recognition.

Dr. O’Brien is a strong advocate for quality services for children and their families and serves on numerous boards and commissions. She is a gubernatorial appointee on the State Drug and Alcohol Council, the Health and Human Services Referral Board and the State Victim Services Board. She serves on the Maryland Executive Council of AARP.

Additional local and state boards include Healthshare, Camp Maria Board, the Maryland Juvenile Justice Coalition and the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence. She has also served as a member of the National Council on Accreditation, the Child Welfare League of America Steering Committee and a subcommittee of the White House Drug policy council.

Dr. O’Brien is the founding chairperson of the St. Mary’s Family Violence Coordinating Council.