Spectrum Health Systems President and CEO Charles Faris to Retire in July

By Spectrum Health Systems, Inc

Published: 02/16/2016

| Company Profile | CorrectSource

Article:
WORCESTER, Mass.-February 16, 2016-Spectrum Health Systems today announced that Charles "Chuck" J. Faris will retire from his position as president and chief executive officer effective July 1, 2016, at which time he will move to a senior advisor role to help facilitate a seamless transition in leadership.

Faris joined Spectrum as a counselor in 1971 and advanced through the organization as his career progressed. He was promoted to associate executive director in 1979, vice president in 1985, and finally, to president and chief executive officer in 2000.

"I am grateful to have spent 45 years with this great company, with an outstanding staff of professionals. It has been an honor to have had the opportunity to lead it for the last 16," said Faris. "As I transition to this new phase, I plan to stay active in the addiction treatment field, and will remain connected to all the wonderful people who have been involved with and supported Spectrum over the years."

Faris was instrumental in the company's evolution from a single long-term residential program to a comprehensive continuum of care that has helped tens of thousands of individuals overcome addiction to lead satisfying and productive lives. Thanks to his visionary leadership, Spectrum has become New England's leader in community-based addiction treatment and a renowned provider of specialized treatment for criminal justice populations across the country.

"Chuck's contributions to Spectrum, and to the field of addiction treatment, will be felt for years to come," said David Felper, Chairman of the Board of Spectrum. "More importantly, for 45 years Chuck has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our mission of providing the highest quality of care to people seeking treatment for substance abuse or mental health issues. The system's growth during his tenure allows us to fulfill that mission by helping thousands of people battling addiction get access to the treatment they need."

Faris is the recipient of the National Nyswander Dole Award for Outstanding Contribution to Methadone Treatment, the Francis O'Brien Award for Leadership in the Field of Substance Abuse, the Nathaniel Hakim Askia Award for Lifetime Work in Addictions, the Worcester Business Journal's 2012 Nonprofit Business Leader of the Year and the National Council for Behavioral Health 2015 Visionary Leadership Award.