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A strong foundation since 1968

Generosity, vision and hard work are the building blocks of Wheeler's history, starting first with a generous bequest in 1960 from prominent Plainville resident Bertha Wheeler, and the support of many local and statewide community and business leaders and clinical professionals.

Mrs. Wheeler’s gift, and vital construction and staffing grants from the National Institute of Mental Health, helped establish the clinic in 1968 and led to the 1972 construction of the first facility at 91 Northwest Drive in Plainville. The purpose of the clinic was to develop more effective, less costly and more humane forms of care for children and adults with addictions, emotional disturbances and other behavioral disorders.

From Wheeler's first chair of the Board of Trustees, Marlene Hoerle:

OUR BEGINNING: The vision and contributions of some of Wheeler's earliest leaders shape and guide our direction and delivery of integrated, whole-person care to individuals and families of Connecticut.

HOERLE: "At that time, there was a hospital, New Britain General, there was Bristol Hospital, there was Southington Hospital, and then we had all our Hartford hospitals. So, there was opposition to a small public hospital in Plainville. And at that time, the regional mental health council was very active. And Dottie Hubbard, who headed that regional mental health council, really pondered the situation and she said, 'You know, there are no facilities for mentally ill children. Why don't we see if we could get the money to build a hospital for mentally ill children in Plainville.'"

Hoerle, along with Herman Papenfoth, one of Wheeler’s earliest trustees and a leader in the Plainville community, and H. Stafford Kellum, were instrumental in working to create the organization. Local attorney Bonnie Barnes also played a key role, taking on the effort pro bono.

Celebrating 50 years of care

From 2018, honoring Wheeler's 50th anniversary

This tribute video highlights the growth of Wheeler for the first five decades.

video-50years.webp

Exceptional leadership at every stage.

news-20231214-hoerle.webp
1968 to 1977

With the dedication of supporters like Marlene Hoerle and Bonnie Barnes, a core early staff who pioneered creative services, and the central Connecticut community, Wheeler worked to open its first facility in 1972 at 91 Northwest Drive, Plainville, and begin serving the community. Photo is Marlene Hoerle speaking at the 1972 groundbreaking of 91 Northwest Drive.

Dennis Keenan's management team (768x442 accordion image)
1977 to 1998

Executive Director Dennis Keenan drove tremendous growth in the scope and strength of Wheeler through unprecedented times. Photo is of Dennis and his key leadership team, who grew Wheeler into new areas and growth and worked to develop innovative programming that has stood the test of time.

David Berkowitz, PhD (768x768 accordion image)
1998 to 2008

Executive Director David Berkowitz, PhD, was a visionary who was able to pivot on our existing strengths and move us in new, complementary directions. With a sharp, analytical mind and focus on data and health care, David had the vision of fully integrated health care that Wheeler provides today.

Susan Walkama, LCSW (768x768 accordion image)
2008 to 2019

Starting as an intern and working her way up to become President and Chief Executive Officer, Susan Walkama, LCSW, transformed Wheeler into a provider of fully integrated health care services and grew the size and scope of Wheeler significantly.

vertab-50-years-of-care.webp

2018

Celebrating 50 years of care

In 2018, Wheeler celebrated its 50th anniversary, starting on our literal anniversary date of January 8th, when we opened our newly renovated Hartford Family Health & Wellness Center. The celebrations culminated in September, when nearly 250 donors, friends, and leaders from throughout Wheeler’s history gathered on September 29 and helped raise more than $145,000 for services, a record for fundraising events.

Throughout 2018, we honored our history by profiling 50 people and organizations who made us what we are. In 2025, we compiled those stories into one document, available below.

Read "Fifty Years of Care"
Sabrina Trocchi, PhD, MPA (768x768 accordion image)
2019 to present

Today, President and Chief Executive Officer Sabrina Trocchi, PhD, MPA, is carrying the vision of decades of work ahead. Within months of assuming the role, she deftly led Wheeler through the pandemic, established a new standard for our work, and opened or renovated four of our five outpatient health centers, as well as mobile health services. Sabrina's vision and tireless work led to Wheeler's first new facility since 1972, One Hope Street in Bristol.

news-20231214-hoerle.webp
1968 to 1977

With the dedication of supporters like Marlene Hoerle and Bonnie Barnes, a core early staff who pioneered creative services, and the central Connecticut community, Wheeler worked to open its first facility in 1972 at 91 Northwest Drive, Plainville, and begin serving the community. Photo is Marlene Hoerle speaking at the 1972 groundbreaking of 91 Northwest Drive.

Dennis Keenan's management team (768x442 accordion image)
1977 to 1998

Executive Director Dennis Keenan drove tremendous growth in the scope and strength of Wheeler through unprecedented times. Photo is of Dennis and his key leadership team, who grew Wheeler into new areas and growth and worked to develop innovative programming that has stood the test of time.

David Berkowitz, PhD (768x768 accordion image)
1998 to 2008

Executive Director David Berkowitz, PhD, was a visionary who was able to pivot on our existing strengths and move us in new, complementary directions. With a sharp, analytical mind and focus on data and health care, David had the vision of fully integrated health care that Wheeler provides today.

Susan Walkama, LCSW (768x768 accordion image)
2008 to 2019

Starting as an intern and working her way up to become President and Chief Executive Officer, Susan Walkama, LCSW, transformed Wheeler into a provider of fully integrated health care services and grew the size and scope of Wheeler significantly.

vertab-50-years-of-care.webp

2018

Celebrating 50 years of care

In 2018, Wheeler celebrated its 50th anniversary, starting on our literal anniversary date of January 8th, when we opened our newly renovated Hartford Family Health & Wellness Center. The celebrations culminated in September, when nearly 250 donors, friends, and leaders from throughout Wheeler’s history gathered on September 29 and helped raise more than $145,000 for services, a record for fundraising events.

Throughout 2018, we honored our history by profiling 50 people and organizations who made us what we are. In 2025, we compiled those stories into one document, available below.

Read "Fifty Years of Care"

Sabrina Trocchi, PhD, MPA (768x768 accordion image)
2019 to present

Today, President and Chief Executive Officer Sabrina Trocchi, PhD, MPA, is carrying the vision of decades of work ahead. Within months of assuming the role, she deftly led Wheeler through the pandemic, established a new standard for our work, and opened or renovated four of our five outpatient health centers, as well as mobile health services. Sabrina's vision and tireless work led to Wheeler's first new facility since 1972, One Hope Street in Bristol.

Focused on whole-person care

Today, Wheeler has grown and expanded significantly to respond to the changing and diverse needs of those we serve. In August of 2020, its original 91 Northwest Drive facility began the transformation of becoming a federally qualified health center, Wheeler's fifth.

Our strong foundation supports the strategic choices that will define our future. As we continue to evolve, we know we will always be an integral part of the health and well-being of our communities.

In 2024, we opened our future: our first new construction since 1972, our new administrative headquarters and combined health center in Bristol's Centre Square. 

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