Pawnee Mental Health Appoints New Chief Executive Officer
Photo by Karen Schroeder Photography.
The Pawnee Mental Health Governing Board announced today the appointment of Michael Rezkalla, MPA, MA, as the new Chief Executive Officer, following an extensive, national search process. Anne Browne, Manhattan, outgoing Governing Board Chair led the search committee which included incoming Governing Board Chair, Kathy Webster, Cawker City, incoming Foundation Board President, Wayne Sloan, Manhattan, Governing Board Treasurer, Barb Wise, Cawker City, and Kyle Kessler, Topeka, CEO of the Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas, Inc. Members of the Pawnee Governing Board made the final candidate selection. Rezkalla will replace Robbin Cole, CEO, who in October announced her intention to retire after 28 years of service to Pawnee.
“We are delighted to welcome Michael Rezkalla, as our new CEO,” says Anne Browne. “His exceptional leadership skills, strategic insights, and industry knowledge make him the ideal choice to lead Pawnee into the future.”
Rezkalla most recently worked as the VP of Operations and Chief Operating Officer of UMass Memorial Community Healthlink, Worcester, MA. Community Healthlink is a large muti-service, behavioral health, substance use disorder treatment and community health provider. Community Healthlink is CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) Accredited. It is also a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) and a Community Mental Health Center (CMHC). Rezkalla has a Master of Public Administration and Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry both from Anna Maria College, Paxton, MA.
“I am immensely humbled by the Search Committee’s commitment to the mission of the organization and grateful for their decision to select me for this role. I would like to seize this opportunity to thank everyone who participated in the search process including but not limited to Ms. Anne Browne, Board Chair, and all members of the Search Committee,” says Rezkalla. “Ms. Robbin Cole leaves big shoes to fill. Her legacy of accomplishments, advocacy for the advancement of mental health services, and passion for the mission of the organization are significant, and humbling. I look forward to spending some time learning from her before she transitions out of her role in May 2024.
Rezkalla’s first day with Pawnee will be March 4, 2024. He and Cole will work together throughout March and into April to ensure a smooth transition in leadership. Cole stated, “I am grateful for and humbled by the opportunity I have had to serve Pawnee Mental Health and the committees in Pawnee’s service area for more than 28 years. I’m delighted to help facilitate the smooth transition for Michael and Pawnee. We are fortunate to have someone of Michael’s experience, skills, and vision to build on Pawnee’s foundation and lead the organization to new heights of service to our communities.” Cole’s official retirement date will be May 1, 2024.