
Dr. Maggie Labarta recently retired as President and Chief Executive Officer for Meridian Behavioral Healthcare after 19 years in that position. Based in Gainesville, Meridian provides comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder treatment, primary care and supportive vocational and housing services with offices in 11 largely rural counties and a 16-county service area. Meridian employs about 800 staff and provides treatment services to almost 25,000 individuals annually, as well providing outreach and prevention services across the community.
During her 36-year tenure at Meridian, Dr. Labarta directed its rural clinics, Children’s Department, and Acute Care Services, including the Crisis Stabilization Unit, becoming CEO in 2000. Labarta has also practiced as a clinical psychologist, specializing in psychological evaluation, primarily within the family law arena, serving as an expert witness in child abuse and other custody matters. She has provided clinical and management training as well as consulting on strategic planning to a number of organizations.