L-R: Medical Assistant Ana Rauda Pena; Mary Chavez, LPN; BHN Sr. VP of Addiction and Recovery Services Tony Boswell; Sr. Program Manager Gretchen Schwelm; Program Director Jesenia Duran; Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne; BHN Medical Director Dr. Ruth Potee; Somerville City Councilor At-Large Jake Wilson; Receptionist Armani Harding; and Medical Assistant Andrea Muriuki. — Photos courtesy of BHN

 Behavioral Health Network, Inc. (BHN) held a Grand Opening Celebration at its new Somerville Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment program on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, welcoming clients, community members, partners, and local officials to mark another milestone in its expansion of SUD treatment in Eastern Massachusetts.

Among those in attendance were Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne; At-Large City Councilor Jake Wilson; Massachusetts Health and Human Services Director Karin Carroll; Deputy Director of Public Health Kelley Hiland; and members of BHN leadership, including Senior Vice President Tony Boswell, Medical Director Dr. Ruth Potee, Senior Program Director Gretchen Schwelm, and Program Director Jesenia Duran.

The event featured remarks from state and elected officials and BHN leadership, a facility tour, and an opportunity for guests to connect with the team behind the new site. The celebration was made especially meaningful by the presence of BHN clients, including one individual who shared their powerful story of recovery and underscored the impact of BHN’s programs helping individuals to overcome challenges and lead more fulfilling lives.

Somerville Mayor Katjana Ballantyne.

“We are honored to open our doors to the Somerville community,” said Gretchen Schwelm, Senior Program Director at BHN. “This program represents not only access to vital services, but also a place of hope, healing, and support for individuals and families impacted by substance use.”

Earlier this year, BHN assumed operations of SUD programs in Attleboro, Somerville, Lawrence, Brockton, and Hyannis. Each site provides compassionate, individualized care for those struggling with substance use, including medication for opioid disorder, counseling, and case management.

BHN also celebrated the Grand Opening of its Attleboro SUD program on May 9 and its Lawrence program on May 30. Grand Opening events in Brockton and Hyannis will be scheduled this summer.

L-R: Somerville Health and Human Services Director Karin Carroll, Boswell and Somerville Deputy Director of Public Health Kelley Hiland

About BHN: BHN has been providing behavioral health services to children and families in Western Massachusetts since 1938. The agency provides community-based services that include innovative, integrated whole-health models as well as traditional clinical and outpatient and therapeutic services, day treatment, addiction services, crisis intervention and residential supports.