Grafton Integrated Health Network (Grafton) announced that its board of directors has chosen James (Jamie) Stewart as the organization's next chief executive officer. Jamie, who currently serves as Chief Administrator Officer, will succeed Jim Gaynor on June 30, 2016.

"After a comprehensive search process, the board is pleased that Jamie has accepted the CEO position atGrafton. Jamie has a proven leadership track record, and this combined with his industry knowledge makes him uniquely qualified to lead Grafton into the future," said Janice LeBel, chairman of the board and Director of System Transformation for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health.

"I would like to thank Grafton's board of directors for giving me this opportunity to lead this organization and its amazing staff. I have had the privilege to work with this team for the past eight years, and look forward to stepping into the very large shoes left by Jim Gaynor and the legacy he has left with Grafton," shared Jamie. "We will continue to forge a path of innovation and excellence to better enable us to serve on a day-to-day basis and to help create a center of excellence in the study and service of those with psychiatric, autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities."

Jamie joined Grafton in August 2008 as Chief Administrative Officer and Executive Vice President. As a successful financial and administrative leader, he has over twenty years of progressive experience in a healthcare environment. Jamie previously served as Chief Financial Officer at The Center for Behavioral Health (CBH) in Bloomington, Indiana where he spearheaded the implementation of an electronic client record system. This implementation and development subsequently was awarded by HIMSS the prestigious Herman E. DaviesAward in 2006, becoming one of the few behavioral healthcare organizations to have been honored since the award's inception in 1995. Jamie also was a key executive leader in the first ever multi-state merger of community mental health centers, creating a combined service entity of three separate corporations with over$200 million in annual revenues across more than 30 counties in two states.

Jamie earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University.

Jim Gaynor, who will leave the CEO post on June 30 expressed, "Jamie is a remarkable leader who has been responsible for a great portion of our success over the years. I am very happy with the board's decision and I am confident that Grafton will continue to lead the way in behavioral healthcare."

About Grafton Integrated Health Network 

Grafton Integrated Health Network (Grafton) is a private, nonprofit organization that has served children, adolescents and adults with disabilities and significant emotional and/or behavioral challenges for more than 57 years. As an industry leader in behavioral healthcare, we utilize a data-driven, trauma informed treatment model to empower vulnerable and high-risk populations to lead better, more independent lives.

Grafton provides a continuum of services to children, youth and adults including applied behavioral analysis, early intervention, psychiatric residential treatment, a short-term stabilization program, special education programs, community-based group homes and outpatient services.

For more information on Grafton Integrated Health Network's services and expertise, please visit:www.grafton.org.