The Voice of Hope with Dr. Ken Huey
Join Dr. Ken Huey on The Voice of Hope, where real stories and expert insights meet to inspire healing and transformation. With decades of experience in behavioral health and trauma therapy, Dr. Huey draws from his personal journey and professional expertise to offer practical advice for families, adoptees, and anyone seeking growth. Discover strategies to navigate trauma, build stronger relationships, and embrace hope in every episode. Tune in for thoughtful conversations that uplift and empower.
The Voice of Hope with Dr. Ken Huey
Dr. Rhea Fernandes, Psy.D. - Leading with Heart and Strategy in Behavioral Health
In this episode of The Voice of Hope, host Dr. Ken Huey sits down with Dr. Rhea Fernandes, Psy.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, one of the nation’s leading nonprofit mental health organizations. With over two decades of clinical and leadership experience, Rhea shares her “why,” her leadership philosophy, and the innovative ways Devereux supports both its workforce and the individuals it serves.
You’ll hear insights on:
- Building and nurturing talent within behavioral health organizations
- Keeping patient care personal and connected at scale
- The power of servant leadership and organizational culture
- Cutting-edge practices that drive outcomes in mental health care
- Stories of hope that remind us why this work matters
This conversation offers inspiration, practical leadership wisdom, and a reminder of the profound impact compassionate care can have on families and communities.
(00:14) Introduction of Dr. Rhea Fernandes and her role at Devereux.
(01:00) Ken: What’s your “why” for doing this work?
Rhea: Shares her early calling to psychology, rooted in family experiences and empathy.
(01:59) Ken: What is one leadership lesson you’ve learned from leading a major nonprofit?
Rhea: The importance of nurturing and developing talent, with details on Devereux’s Ascend program.
(03:20) Ken: What’s one specific way Devereux helps develop talent?
Rhea: Meeting employees where they are, career coaching, and individualized growth planning.
(04:35) Ken: With such a large organization, how do you keep care human and connected?
Rhea: The “Devereux family standard”—treating every individual as if they were your own loved one.
(06:49) Ken: Tell us about your dissertation on quality of life for individuals with serious mental illness—what were the key findings?
Rhea: Relationships and community involvement are the two biggest drivers of quality of life.
(08:42) Ken: How do you approach turnarounds when a program isn’t working as it should?
Rhea: Assess leadership first, engage stakeholders, set priorities, and implement accountability.
(10:34) Ken: What are red flags in leadership that signal change is needed?
Rhea: Complacency, rigid thinking, unwillingness to engage with teams.
(11:22) Ken: How do you “sharpen the saw” and keep learning?
Rhea: Growth mindset, diverse reading, surrounding herself with people who challenge her thinking.
(12:35) Ken: What book has been impactful for you recently?
Rhea: Radical Candor—direct communication with empathy.
(13:37) Ken: What metrics matter most to Devereux?
Rhea: Measuring organizational culture, servant leadership, and embedding it throughout the system.
(15:59) Ken: Do you use net promoter scores?
Rhea: Yes, they’re moving in that direction.
(16:28) Ken: What else is cutting-edge at Devereux?
Rhea: Evidence-based models, innovation in technology, and continual reinvestment.
(19:57) Ken: What gives you hope in this work?
Rhea: Individual stories of transformation and families finding hope through Devereux.
(21:28) Closing gratitude and reflections.
