J. Clement "Bud" Cicilline, MS
President and Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Cicilline was graduated Providence College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. He worked for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation for 2 years, providing counseling services to adolescents and young adults with physical and emotional problems. He subsequently earned a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Rhode Island. He had internships at the RI Training School for Girls, the Women's Reformatory, and the Institute of Mental Health.

 

In 1966, he began to work in the War on Poverty at Progress for Providence where he was the Director of the Social Services Team. He provided psychological services to poor and minority individuals and families as well as supervising staff and providing clinical consultation to colleagues and to other agencies.

Mr. Cicilline accepted a Clinical Psychologist position with the Newport County Mental Health Clinic in 1968, where he provided clinical assessments and psychotherapy services to children and adults. He became Administrator in 1970 and Executive Director in 1975.

Mr. Cicilline chaired the Task Force for Newport Hospital and the Newport County Mental Health Clinic that would eventually secure a federal grant that established the first comprehensive community mental health center in the State of Rhode Island in 1973. When a new organization was formed in 1977, Mr. Cicilline became Director of Outpatient Services. In 1986, he was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Newport County Community Mental Health Center. Also, Mr. Cicilline is a licensed Clinical Psychologist in private practice since 1967. And, he has been an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at the Community College of Rhode Island since 1979.

In addition, Mr. Cicilline has served his community with 12 years on the Newport School Committee, the last six as chairman. He was also elected as State Senator from Newport and served five terms which included his appointment as Senate Majority Policy Leader and as chair of several commissions.

Francis L. "Butch" Paranzino, MSW, LICSW
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer


Mr. Paranzino received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Rhode Island and his Master’s degree in Social Work from Boston College. Initially beginning his work with NCCMHC in 1978 as an Emergency Services clinician, he has moved through the ranks from Administrator of the Community Support Program to Vice President of Service Programs and Planning. In 2001, he became Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.
 

When the President & CEO is absent or unavailable, Mr. Paranzino exercises full authority over NCCMHC operations. He also oversees and provides supervision for all clinical services and programs.

In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Mr. Paranzino has developed a special interest in Disaster Response, having served as a Red Cross volunteer immediately following the 1999 EgyptAir crash. He also provided volunteer service at Ground Zero in New York City following the September 11, 2001, tragedy. He is the Team Leader for NCCMHC's Regional Disaster Response Team.

More recently, he was involved with coordinating services to victims from Hurricane Katrina that were relocated to Middletown and has participated in planning and development activities associated with Pandemic Flu and Hurricane Preparedness. He is the Team Leader for NCCMHC’s Regional Disaster Response Team.

Mr. Paranzino has had a long-standing affiliation with the Mental Health Association of Rhode Island, having been a member of the Board of Directors for a number of years, and served four terms as President.

Mary Jane Creely, MS, RN, PMHCNS-BC
Vice President and Quality Improvement Officer


Ms. Creely is an advanced practice nurse and a graduate of the Rhode Island Hospital School of Nursing (1972) and the University of Rhode Island (1995 BSN) (1998 MSN). She joined the NCCMHC staff in 1988 and has previous professional experience in community health, community mental health, psychiatric inpatient services, emergency room nursing, and nursing management in a number of clinical settings.
 

She is administratively responsible for the NCCMHC's Quality Improvement/Performance Improvement Program. This charge includes quality assurance, performance improvement initiatives, clinical data management, health information, risk management, infection control and all activities related to Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations standards and state licensing requirements. Additionally she serves as the Privacy Officer and the Client Rights Officer.

Ms. Creely is a Board Certified Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Psychiatric/ Mental Health Nursing and a member of the University of Rhode Island part-time faculty and is adjunct faculty with Salve Regina University. She is a Clinical Instructor for the University of Rhode Island and facilitates the undergraduate clinical practicum at NCCMHC and serves as a preceptor for MSN candidates in Psychiatric Nursing and Nursing Administration. She serves as a guest lecturer and annually serves as a preceptor for MSN candidates in Psychiatric Nursing and Nursing Administration.

Ralph L. Franco, MBA
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


Mr. Franco earned a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Providence College. In 1982, Mr. Franco was awarded his MBA from Bryant College. His professional career began at Hasbro Industries as a staff accountant. In 1979, he became the Finance Director at Providence Health Centers (the largest community health center in New England at that time.) In 1984, he was hired as Director of Finance of Ocean State Physicians Health Plan (currently United Healthcare), the first HMO in RI. After a stint in private practice, Mr. Franco joined NCCMHC in 1987 as Finance Director and is currently VP & CFO.
 

His responsibilities include finance, budget management, accounting and business office operations. He also has responsibility for human resources, facilities administration, MIS and clerical/reception services. Mr. Franco has a 30-year career in finance and accounting and has operated at the Senior Management level for virtually all of those years.

Farrel Klein, MD
Clinical Director

Dr. Klein earned his undergraduate degree in biology at Brown University and was graduated from Saint Louis University Medical School in 1981. He completed his residency training in psychiatry at UCLA, Sepulveda Veterans Administration program in 1985 and passed the Board Certification examination in Psychiatry in 1987. Dr. Klein has dedicated his professional career to serving people with severe mental illnesses. He has worked at Eleanor Slater Hospital full-time and part-time in the 1980's, and was a staff psychiatrist at South Shore Mental Health Center in Washington County, Rhode Island, prior to beginning at NCCMHC. He was appointed Clinical Director of NCCMHC in January, 1991. Through this position, he exercises necessary clinical leadership, assuring that the highest standards of care are met for all services and programs. He has been on staff at Newport Hospital since 1991, and has maintained "courtesy staff privileges" at Butler Hospital since 1990. Dr. Klein has a special interest in treating refractory mood and psychotic disorders.