Research Institute Announces Promotions

Centerstone has announced two executive promotions for its Research Institute. Ashley Newton, MPS, PMP, has been named chief operating officer for Centerstone’s Research Institute and vice president of Center for Clinical Excellence. Jennifer Lockman, PhD, has been named vice president of clinical & transitional research.

Newton previously served as vice president of Center for Clinical Excellence for Centerstone’s Research Institute. In her new role, Newton will work to implement the Research Institute’s high value treatment in the context of the local environments and oversee the team’s operations management and collaboration

Lockman previously served as the director of clinical & translational research. In her new role, Lockman will manage the Research Institute’s clinical research projects, serve as a liaison with external researchers and assess the best methods for measuring clinical outcomes.

“Ashley and Jennifer’s leadership and vision have been vital in helping lead our team and clinical services through a period of rapid growth and change,” said Rick Shelton, MD, chief executive officer for Centerstone’s Research Institute. “As our work continues to evolve, Ashley and Jennifer’s new roles will provide us with a greater opportunity to advance our research and support quality clinical outcomes for our clients and their families.”

Newton joined Centerstone in 2006 and has previously held both clinical and leadership roles. She holds a BA in psychology and an MA in professional studies and strategic leadership from Middle Tennessee State University. She is a certified by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Design Thinking, Lean Six Sigma methodologies, is an ACRA-ACC clinical supervisor and a Project Management Professional (PMP), the highest certification for project management.

Lockman joined Centerstone in 2007 and has extensive grant experience, having served as the principal investigator of two Garrett Lee Smith Suicide Prevention Grants and two National Strategies for Suicide Prevention grants (funded by SAMHSA). She earned her PhD in counseling psychology from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind. and her MS in professional counseling from Lipscomb University. She has published in professional journals and speaks regularly at national conferences focusing on suicide prevention and translational science.

Centerstone’s Research Institute develops clinical innovations based upon the very best science to produce better outcomes and increase value to Centerstone’s clients and payers.