New Canaan's Silver Hill Hospital Names New Chief Medical Officer

NEW CANAAN, CT — New Canaan's Silver Hill Hospital has named Dr. Mark J. Russ as chief medical officer to oversee clinical operations of its inpatient, transitional living (residential), and outpatient programs, according to a news release.

"Drawing on 40 years of clinical and leadership experience, Russ will work to enhance Silver Hill Hospital’s programming, improve access to evidence-based treatments, and fulfill its mission to transform the lives of people impacted by mental health disorders and addiction," the announcement said.

Russ comes to New Canaan from New York-Presbyterian/Westchester Behavioral Health, where he served as vice president for clinical programs, and medical director, for the past eight years.

Prior to that, he had a long and successful tenure at the Zucker Hillside Hospital overseeing inpatient and emergency services.

"Dr. Russ has an extensive background and reputation for driving innovation, facilitating growth, and improving psychiatric care,” said Dr. Andrew Gerber, president and medical director of Silver Hill Hospital, in a news releae. "Aside from being an experienced administrator, he is a compassionate clinician and a humble leader who understands and embraces the necessity of teamwork. He is a great fit for the hospital in many ways, and it is an extraordinary opportunity to be able to work with him."

Russ will manage Silver Hill Hospital’s various levels of programming and its residential houses, including the Argent Program and Steward House, a collaboration with Yale New Haven Health and Yale Medicine.

He will also oversee its pharmacy and laboratory services departments.

"By offering a high-quality, full continuum of care and enabling patients to move seamlessly from inpatient to transitional living to outpatient settings as needed, Silver Hill Hospital provides its patients a crucial level of consistency, flexibility, and support in treatment," Russ said in a news release. "The bar is high. It’s truly a privilege to work with this team to identify opportunities to strengthen our approach to today’s most complex mental health concerns and to solidify our reputation as the finest psychiatric hospital in the country."

Russ earned his undergraduate degree from Haverford College, and attended Drexel University College of Medicine and graduated with academic distinction in mental health sciences.

He completed his internship, residency, and chief residency in psychiatry at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

For more on Russ and his appointment, click here.