Sam Donaldson, Ph.D., is the former President and Chief Executive Officer at Cenpatico. Sam Donaldson is a Clinical Psychologist. He joined Cenpatico in September 2004 as President and Chief Executive Officer. Cenpatico’s expertise lies in managing benefits for vulnerable populations. During Sam’s tenure, Cenpatico’s membership increased from 800,000 to over 2 million members across 17 states. Sam is a leader in the development of innovative clinical models for treatment of Medicaid and other public sector members.
Prior to Cenpatico, Sam worked for Magellan Health Services in Pittsburgh as General Manager of their Western Pennsylvania Care Management Center, in which he was responsible for managing a behavioral health management contract covering 2.9 million lives. Before his entry into the managed care system in 1999, Sam worked as a clinician in all levels of care for both substance abuse treatment and mental health. In 1996, Sam was a founder and managing partner of Western Pennsylvania’s largest multi‐specialty practice, Vista Behavioral Health Associates, Inc. Sam has a total of 31 years of behavioral health and substance abuse treatment experience. Sam received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Sam is a licensed Psychologist in Pennsylvania and a member of the American Psychological Association. He is currently on the Board of Directors of the largest managed care behavioral health trade association, the Association for Behavioral Health and Wellness, and served as the Association’s Chair in 2010. Sam is an adjunct professor of Psychology at Austin Community College and serves as a healthcare consultant in the Austin, Texas area.
