Office Of The Director

Louis A. Cerbo, Ed.D.

Interim Director, RI Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals

Photo of Lou Cerbo

Governor Daniel McKee appointed Dr. Louis A. Cerbo as Interim Director of BHDDH in May of 2023 after Director Richard Charest was appointed by Governor McKee, and confirmed by the RI State Senate, as Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

In his capacity as Interim Director, Dr. Cerbo oversees the department in its mission to help people who live with developmental disabilities, patients who are hospitalized at Eleanor Slater Hospital, and those who live with substance use and/or behavioral health conditions. He served as the department's Deputy Director of since 2019 and previous to that he was the clinical director/psychologist for the state Department of Corrections.

His roots in state government started in 2003 when Cerbo worked for the agency that became BHDDH, serving as the administrator of the Eleanor Slater Hospital Adult Psychiatric Service. He left BHDDH in 2011 to accept a position at the Department of Corrections, where remained until he assumed his new duties on April 2019.

Cerbo grew up in Providence and Cranston, and graduated from La Salle Academy in 1978. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Boston University and later earned master’s degrees from Rhode Island College (psychology) and Boston University (education). He then earned a Doctor of Philosophy in counseling/clinical psychology from Boston University.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION: 

Interim Director Louis Cerbo
Phone: (401) 462-2339
Fax:     (401)462-3204
Email   Cristina.Cifredo@bhddh.ri.gov
 

Acting BHDDH Deputy Director

Elizabeth Silvestre, MA
Phone: (401) 462-6429
Fax:     (401)462-3204
Email:  Elizabeth.Silvestre@bhddh.ri.gov

Acting BHDDH Chief of Staff

Jamieson Goulet
Phone: (401)462-6007
Fax:     (401)462-3204
Email:  E.Jamison.Goulet@bhddh.ri.gov

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT:

Cristina Cifredo
Phone: (401) 462-2339
Fax:     (401)462-3204
Email:  Cristina.Cifredo@bhddh.ri.gov


MEDIA CONTACT:

Randal Edgar
Phone: (401) 462-3405
Fax:     (401)462-3204
Email   Randal.Edgar@bhddh.ri.gov