Werline named CEO of New Vista

Morehead State alumna Dee Werline (91) has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of New Vista, the Community Mental Health Center providing mental health, substance use and intellectual and developmental disability services to 25,000 children, adults and families in 17 central Kentucky counties.  

Werline earned a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology at MSU and has worked in behavioral health care for more than three decades. Before being named CEO of New Vista, she served as deputy commissioner at the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities. She also previously served as vice president of administration at New Vista from 2012-16.  

“Being chosen for this position as CEO of New Vista has been both exciting and humbling,” Werline said. “I have spent my 30-year career to date learning and experiencing every aspect of behavioral health service provision to prepare for this opportunity. I have always had a passion for community mental health. I consider it the opportunity of a lifetime and believe it is a privilege to serve in this role.”  

Werline said she hopes to further New Vista’s mission in serving the communities of central Kentucky and to foster a work culture and environment for staff to build and grow their skills and careers. She said MSU’s clinical psychology master’s program gave her the knowledge and skills to excel in the behavioral health services field.   

"The program at MSU was clearly focused on preparing well-rounded clinicians to provide mental health services to citizens throughout the Commonwealth. Hence, I learned all the clinical skills necessary to achieve licensure in my chosen field, the analytical skills, and respect and drive for continued learning that helped advance my career goals,” Werline said. “Through my practicums and internship opportunities, I was able to get a well-rounded clinical experience in a variety of mental health settings in both very rural and more urban areas of Kentucky.  

“The entire clinical psychology program at MSU provides an excellent environment for learning and growing that prepares its graduates well. The coursework was stringent and pertinent to the work that lay ahead.”  

To learn more about graduate programs at Morehead State, visit www.moreheadstate.edu/gradschool.   

For information on programs in MSU’s Department of Psychology, visit www.moreheadstate.edu/psychology, email Department Chair Dr. Greg Corso at g.corso@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2981. 

Photo Credit: The Lane Report