02/7/12
Randolph, Mass. – May Institute’s Board of Trustees has announced the promotion of Lauren C. Solotar, Ph.D., ABPP, to Chief Executive Officer of May Institute. Dr. Solotar is succeeding Walter P. Christian, Ph.D., ABBP, ABPP, who will continue to serve the Institute as President.
May Institute is a nonprofit organization that provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare services to thousands of individuals with special needs and their families every year.
“Transition planning for Dr. Christian’s retirement has been underway for more than five years,” said Dr. Don Ricciato, Chairman of the Institute’s Board of Trustees. “This change in leadership represents the first phase of a succession process designed to ensure a smooth and seamless transition upon Dr. Christian’s retirement in January of 2013. At that time, Dr. Solotar will become both President and CEO of May Institute.”
During Dr. Christian’s 34-year tenure as its leader, the Institute has evolved from an organization with one small school and 60 employees in Massachusetts into a national network with more than 2,000 staff members and nearly 200 service locations across the country. In 2008, Dr. Christian was honored with the Boston Business Journal’s “Champions in Health Care” Lifetime Achievement Award for providing the vision and leadership that guided May Institute’s growth and success.
“Dr. Christian has done an outstanding job of leading May Institute and helping the organization earn an international reputation for excellence,” notes Dr. Ricciato. “During his long career, he has made a lasting contribution to the fields of human service management, organizational development, clients’ rights, and service programming. The Board of Trustees is deeply appreciative of Dr. Christian’s many years of leadership as President and CEO. Although following in his footsteps will be a difficult task, I know that Dr. Solotar is up to that challenge. She has the knowledge, experience, leadership ability, dedication, and determination required.”
Dr. Solotar began her career at May Institute in 1996 as Chief Psychologist and Vice President of Clinical Services. In 2001, she was promoted to Senior Vice President of Behavioral Health Services and was responsible for the operation and clinical service delivery of ambulatory behavioral health and rehabilitation services. In 2010, Dr. Solotar became Chief Clinical Officer. In that role, she provided clinical oversight for all of May Institute’s programs and centers and oversaw the organization’s clinical leadership, among her multiple responsibilities.
“Through the years, Dr. Solotar has not only demonstrated outstanding clinical and leadership skills, but also tremendous loyalty to and respect for May Institute, its employees, and the important services we provide to the individuals in our care,” said Dr. Christian. “I am confident that she will be an excellent leader and that our organization will continue to thrive and grow with her at the helm.”
“I am excited to take on this new leadership role and serve May Institute to the very best of my abilities,” said Dr. Solotar. “I look forward to collaborating with our remarkably capable and caring staff to help me meet this challenge. Working together, we will continue to make a difference in the lives of the children, adults, and families we serve each and every day.”
A licensed psychologist, Dr. Solotar is also board certified in clinical psychology (ABPP). She received her doctorate from the University at Albany, State University of New York, where she was the recipient of the University's Award for Excellence. She completed her internship at the Albany Psychology Internship Consortium. Dr. Solotar has held a faculty appointment at Tufts University School of Medicine and was formerly the Chief Psychologist at Tufts New England Medical Center.
About May Institute
May Institute is an award-winning nonprofit organization with more than 55 years of experience in serving children and adults with autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental illness, and behavioral health needs. The organization provides educational, rehabilitative, and behavioral healthcare services to individuals, as well as training and consultation services to professionals, organizations, and public school systems.
At our nearly 200 service locations across the country, we work to create new and more effective ways to meet the special needs of individuals and families across the lifespan.
For more information, call 800.778.7601 or visit www.mayinstitute.org.