We are proud to celebrate three outstanding BHN team members whose commitment, leadership, and dedication have been recognized through professional awards. These honors reflect not only their individual excellence but also the values we strive to uphold across all of BHN.
Dr. Juliana Reiss Honored at the DMH Forensic Conference
BHN is proud to announce that Dr. Juliana Reiss, Designated Forensic Psychologist and Program Director of Forensic Services, has been awarded the 2025 Clinical Excellence Award in Forensic Services, recognizing her exceptional leadership, clinical expertise, and lasting contributions to forensic mental health in Massachusetts.
Dr. Reiss received the award on Friday, May 2, at the Annual DMH Forensic Conference, presented by Nancy Connolly, Psy.D., Assistant Commissioner of Forensic Mental Health Services, in recognition of her outstanding service and leadership in forensic evaluation.
Dr. Reiss has been with the Western Mass Court Clinic since 2013 and has led BHN’s Forensic Services as Program Director since 2016. Prior to that, she served as a forensic evaluator for Berkshire Medical Center’s 15b admissions program. During the award presentation, Dr. Nancy Connolly highlighted Dr. Reiss’s consistent clinical excellence, noting her sharp, unbiased assessments, efficiency, and ability to navigate complex cases with insight, strengthened by her background in neuropsychology.
She also shared remarks from Judge Tyne, First Justice of Pittsfield District Court, who praised Dr. Reiss’s work, “Dr. Julie Reiss exemplifies clinical excellence in forensic services… She is a highly skilled evaluator and comprehensive report writer, as well as a thoughtful and reliable expert consultant. Her clinical insight, thoroughness, and ability to balance complex forensic and clinical considerations make her an invaluable resource for our Courts.”
Dr. Reiss’s clinical excellence extends beyond evaluations to her leadership and mentorship. As Program Director, she has led the Western Mass Court Clinic through major challenges, including the pandemic, staffing changes, and rising court demands. She oversees multiple specialty courts, supervises Doctoral Forensic Psychology (DFP) candidates, serves on the statewide DFP Committee, and recently launched a post-doc program to strengthen the pipeline of future forensic psychologists.
Known for her dedication and collaboration, she often steps in to support courts across the state on short notice. Her impact on both the team and the broader forensic system is far-reaching. Please join us in congratulating Dr. Juliana Reiss on receiving the 2025 Clinical Excellence Award, a well-earned recognition of her dedication, leadership, and clinical excellence.
Keri Svendsen Honored with NARP Certificate of Excellence
Keri Svendsen was awarded the Chapman Boursiquot Certificate of Excellence by the National Association of Reentry Professionals (NARP), a national, all-volunteer organization dedicated to supporting individuals as they transition back into their communities after incarceration. This recognition honors individuals who demonstrate exceptional commitment to collaboration and service in the field of reentry, and Keri truly exemplifies that standard.
NARP’s mission is to strengthen and grow a nationwide network of skilled reentry professionals who are equipped to deliver culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and equitable support. Their work focuses on comprehensive, collaborative planning and service delivery rooted in human dignity, respect, and community connection.
Keri’s efforts with NARP have consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of the critical role that professional partnerships and community collaboration play in the success of reentry programs. Her open-mindedness, willingness to work across systems, and proactive team spirit have directly contributed to the expansion of services, increased access to essential resources, and a stronger sense of community support for those returning home.
Now stepping into the volunteer role of Clinical Coordinator at NARP, Keri will help guide the national conversation around reentry and mental health. Her leadership is a reflection of both her dedication and the supportive culture we’re proud to foster at BHN. Congratulations, Keri! Your impact is deeply felt and widely appreciated.
Paula Kularski: 2025 MOVA Victim Rights Innovation Award Recipient
We are proud to share that BHN’s Domestic Violence Department Supervisor, Paula Kularski, has received the Innovation Award as part of the 2025 Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA) Victim Rights Awards. She was officially honored at the Massachusetts State House on Monday, May 5, 2025, in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the field of victim services.
With 17 years of dedicated work supporting survivors of domestic violence, Paula has long been a pillar of advocacy, compassion, and innovation in Western Massachusetts. Her leadership and dedication have made a lasting impact on both the community and the field of victim services.
As Supervisor of Survivor Services at BHN for the past six years, Paula has led with integrity and empathy. She was instrumental in developing the Planned Approach to Community Health (PATCH) model, which was an innovative approach that brought direct, in-home services to survivors in rural areas, addressing critical gaps in access. Although the PATCH program is no longer active, the approach is still utilized in current domestic violence services and continues to adapt and meet the ever-changing needs of the community.
Paula’s work has always centered on empowering survivors, particularly those in isolated, low-income regions. Drawing from her own life in rural Western Massachusetts and her early career in hospital settings, Paula has built lasting bridges between medical systems and victim advocacy, most notably through establishing domestic violence liaison roles in area hospitals.
Outside of her formal role, Paula’s commitment to uplifting others shines through her founding of Seeds of Hope, a community initiative that helped individuals overcome education and privilege gaps by funding EMT training and certifications. Her efforts have inspired a culture of public service and hope within the community.
Known widely throughout the town of Ware and beyond, Paula has become a trusted voice for public safety, advocacy, and social justice. Her receipt of the MOVA Innovation Award is a well-deserved recognition of her tireless work and profound impact on the lives of crime victims and survivors across Massachusetts.
Congratulations, Juliana, Keri and Paula! Your impact is deeply felt and widely appreciated.
