Rachael A. Petitti, Ph.D., LCSW
Department of Population Health and Leadership
School of Health Sciences
Education
Ph.D., The New School For Social Research, Milano School of
International Affairs, Management, and Urban Policy, 2013
M.S., Public & Urban Policy Management
The New School For Social Research, 2011
M.S.W., School of Social Work
Columbia University, 1991
B.S., Communications
Southern Connecticut State University, 1985
About Rachael
Dr. Rachael A. Petitti is a visionary, and leader in the field of behavioral health integration with an understanding of core healthcare industry issues and the role of strategic organizational design in leading innovative services in the era of health reform.
Previously she served as the Director of Mental Health Treatment Services for the New York City, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, (DOHMH), implementing progressive Medicaid reform policies within one of the largest and most diverse public health systems in the world.
As a clinical expert, and thought leader, she has held several C level executive and consulting positions in the nonprofit, private sector, working in several states to implement more efficient, and cost-effective patient-centered, behavioral health services, within the managed care environment.
Dr. Petitti has conducted original research and has written on the integration of primary care for the behavioral health population, working on models of service delivery that support improved access and the detection of unmet medical needs for the underserved population. In addition, she has written on the innovative health policy for New York City residents, which detected undiagnosed depression in the general population through the use of the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) in primary care practices.
Her most recent work focuses on overcoming the clinical, operational and financial barriers that impede integrating primary care services with behavioral organizations. Through this augmentation of service delivery, organizations can offer a holistic, cost-effective alternative of coordination, to both broaden the vision of these institutions, and build a community- based infrastructure that supports the provision of services for individuals with complex care needs.
Professional Experience
- Principal Consultant, Executive Healthcare Consultant (2015 - Present).
- Chief Executive Officer, Connecticut Renaissance, Inc. (2013 - 2016).
- Director, Mental Health Treatment Services, New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (2011 - 2013)
- Principal Consultant, Educational Leader, Our Lady of Fatima Hospital, Providence Rhode Island, (2010 – 2011)
- Chief Operating Officer/Vice President of Operations, Morris Foundation, Inc. (2000-2010)
- Director of Management Services Organization, Yale University Medical School, Yale Behavioral Health (1999-2000)
- Director of Adult Partial Hospital, Substance Abuse Services & Eating Disorder Services, Director of Behavioral Health Management Services, Elmcrest Psychiatric Hospital (1991-1999)
Clinical Training
- Yale School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry (CMHC) 1989-1991
Teaching Experience
University of New Haven, Pompea College of Business, School of Health Sciences. Master of Healthcare Administration Program
Adjunct Faculty
- 1100-Introduction to Health Professions
- 2250-Research Methods and Design
- 6600-Introduction to US Healthcare Systems
New York Medical College, Department of Health Policy & Management,
Valhalla NY
Guest Lecturer, Dr.PH Program
- Regulatory & Market Approaches to US Health Care, Nonprofits (2017)
University of California, Davis, Department of Human Ecology
- Health Disparities & Population Health Methods
- Public Health Policy
- Gender Stratification in Healthcare
Clinical Practice Education for Nonprofit/Hospitals
- Behavioral Health & Primary Integration Practice Methods
- Co-Occurring Disorders
- Psychiatric Disorders (DSM-IV-TR), 5.
- Theories of Psychotherapy
- Integrative Medicine for Behavioral Health Systems of Care
- Managed Care, Best Practices, and CQI implementation. (2000-2017)
Licensure/Certification
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, State of Connecticut (1993 - Present)
Internationally Certified Co-Occurring Disorders Professional Diplomat, Connecticut Certification Board, Inc., International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (2005 - 2017)
The Center for Trauma Response/Recovery and Preparedness (CTRP), Connecticut Disaster Behavioral Health Response Network (CTDBHRN), State of Connecticut Region 2 & 5 (2002 - 2016)
Introduction to the Incident Command System (ICS), Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS), ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (July 2000- Present)
Publications
Petitti, R The Integration of Primary Care into Behavioral Health; identifying unmet medical needs and improving access to care. ProQuest, UMI (2012).
Petitti, R., Marsik, T. Understanding and treating depression, Many New York City Residents Helped by DOHMH’s Depression and Primary Care Initiatives, Mental Health News, 2012, Jan, (16).
Petitti, R. (1998). A Food Fight that Millions are waging: Eating Disorders. Insights, St. Mary’s Quarterly Health Magazine, page 9.
Grants
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, (DMHAS) State of
Connecticut, Gambling Disorders Treatment
2015-2018.
Department Of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) Co-
Occurring Residential and Outpatient Service
2013-2016.
Department of Corrections (DOC), State of Connecticut- Men’s
Residential Addiction Treatment Services
2013-2016
Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, (SAMHSA)
Department of Mental Health And Addiction Services, Co-occurring
State Incentive Grant (COSIG), Dartmouth University
Pilot site Administrative Director
2005-2010
Court Support Services Division, State of Connecticut, (CSSD)
Outpatient Co-Occurring Treatment
2007-2013
Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, (SAMHSA)
Early Adolescent Treatment (EAT)
2005-2008
Department of Children and Families, (DCF) State of Connecticut. -
Project Safe, Women and Children’s Outpatient treatment Services- site
Administrative Director
2000-2010
Presentations
New York Office of Mental Health (OMH), Office of Alcoholism and
Substance Abuse (OASAS), NYC Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene (DOHMH), Optimum Health: Behavioral Health Organization
(BHO)-Medicaid Fee-For Services Inpatient, Outpatient, and detoxification
admission service plan first- year review and data reporting (Panel
Discussion Series)
2012
New York Office of Mental Health (OMH), Office of Alcoholism and
Substance Abuse (OASAS), NYC Department of Health and Mental
Hygiene (DOHMH), Optimum Health: NYC Service implementation plan for
Providers (Panel Discussion Series)
2011
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
(SAMHSA) Co-occurring state incentive grant annual meeting,
Bethesda, MD, Co-occurring State Incentive Grant Annual Meeting, State of
Connecticut Co-Sig Report
2008
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), State of
Connecticut, Co-Occurring Recovery Conference, North Haven, CT;
Transforming to a Co-Occurring Response system of care
2007
Courses Taught
- Introduction to US Healthcare Systems
- Introduction to Health Professions