Volunteer Behavioral Health Announces Phyllis Persinger as Chief Executive Officer / President
On August 13, 2021, the Volunteer Behavioral Health (VBH) board of directors appointed Phyllis Persinger as their new Chief Executive Officer and President. Phyllis previously held the position of President and Chief Operating Officer and succeeds Chris Wyre as CEO, who retired after serving with the company for 44 years.
“During this time of transition, there is no one better to lead Volunteer after Chris’ departure,” said Linda Bennett, Board Chair. “Phyllis has proven her leadership skills through her vision and ability to bring teams together to get the job done. We’re so excited to have her as we enter this next chapter of innovation in behavioral health for Tennesseans.”
Phyllis will oversee all of Volunteer’s operations across 32 counties, including 21 outpatient centers offering telehealth and same day appointments, and ancillary services such as residential treatment, mobile crisis response, crisis stabilization units, pre-arrest diversion, specialty children’s programs, homeless services, group homes, and supportive housing. VBH serves a population base of over 2 million Tennesseans in a 12,555 square mile area.
Since joining Volunteer in 1987, Phyllis has held a variety of responsibilities and spearheaded several initiatives such as shifting the organization to remote work and telehealth, creating a culture of “One Team, One Dream” throughout the agency, implementing a Centralized Access and Customer Service (CA/CS) department, creating an electronic health record in 2001 and again in 2011, and administering a performance-based payment system for professional providers. As Chief Administrative Officer, Phyllis was responsible for the oversight and administration of finance, property management and maintenance, CA/CS, and information technology/information system management.
“Phyllis’ work ethic and energy are un-matched by anyone I know. She brings years of experience and knowledge to this position,” said Carrie Robinson, Sr. VP of Operations. “She is and will be the perfect fit for our new CEO for Volunteer Behavioral Health. I am very happy for her and well deserved!”
Phyllis enjoys being an active member of the community and serving with several professional organizations and committees. Some of those include: President Elect for the Tennessee Association of Mental Health Organizations (TAMHO), past president and current committee chair for the Fiscal and Administrative section for TAMHO, member of the Information Technology committee for Mental Health Corporation of America, and member of the Steering Committee for Qualifacts, Inc.
“I’m so humbled, honored, and grateful to be presented with such an opportunity,” said Phyllis. “My passion for our staff and our clients only continues to grow. The entire team truly receives the credit for Volunteer’s success, and I am so grateful every day to work both with them and for them.”
A native of Millboro, VA, Phyllis attended James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA, graduating in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in education and business. Phyllis began her professional career as a business teacher at Bath County High School in Hot Springs, VA.
