Rita Demo, MPH, LMFT, Named Vice President, Community, Crisis, and Prevention Services for Wheeler

PLAINVILLE, Conn., August 29, 2024 – Rita Demo, MPH, LMFT, has been named vice president of Community, Crisis, and Prevention Services for Wheeler, providing clinical and administrative supervision for more than 25 programs.

Previously a senior director with oversight of outpatient, community-based, and crisis programs, Rita assumed additional responsibility for prevention following the June 2024 retirement of Judith Stonger, MA, CPS, vice president of Prevention, Wellness, and Recovery.

Rita’s new role includes oversight of an array of state- and federally supported prevention programs for individuals of all ages; the statewide Change the Script campaign; and oversight of Connecticut Clearinghouse, a statewide library and resource center for information on substance use and mental health, wellness, and more, funded by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

Rita started her career with Wheeler in 2008 as a direct care counselor and moved into clinical roles. She rose steadily through the organization with positions of increasing responsibility. In 2013, she was named program manager for Wheeler’s Children’s Outpatient Programs and was promoted to associate director in 2015. In 2016, she assumed responsibility for Wheeler’s Congregate Care Programs. From 2019 to present, additional programs were added to her oversight, including Extended Day Treatment, Mobile Crisis Intervention Services, HelpLine, and more.

“Rita’s many years of successful clinical and administrative oversight of programs and services, as well as her education and training, make her very well-suited for this position,” said Sabrina Trocchi, PhD, MPA, president and chief executive officer, Wheeler. “In addition to comprehensive experience in public health, clinical, and community-based settings, Rita is deeply committed to achieving positive outcomes through data-driven decisions.”

Prior to coming to Wheeler, Rita served at a local health district where she managed nutrition programs and an array of related health initiatives.

Rita received her master’s in marriage and family therapy from Central Connecticut State University, as well as a master’s in public health from the State University of New York in Albany. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Vermont.