Highly Credentialed Executive Staff

Janina J. Kean, APRN

President & CEO
Janina Kean is an internationally recognized expert and spokesperson in the field of substance abuse. Since joining High Watch in 1998, Ms. Kean has elevated the status of the facility, renown as the world’s first to use the 12 Step principles. She revamped the treatment program by integrating the 12 Steps into a state of the art treatment program that incorporates the latest in addiction medicine for treatment of both the neurobiology of addiction and co-occurring disorders. The celebrated High Watch Program developed by Ms. Kean is acknowledged internationally. Ms. Kean has traveled as far as China and Russia to educate physicians, government officials and the public on the efficacy of treatment and the 12 Steps.

Dedicated to educating the public and families about substance abuse, Ms Kean hosts a weekly radio show, Sober Spotlight on NPR affiliate WHDD AM and FM. To advance education for professionals, Ms. Kean developed training programs with Yale and Columbia University. She is currently a Clinical Instructor at the Yale School of Nursing and holds a courtesy faculty position at Yale University.

Prior to joining High Watch, Ms. Kean worked with the University of Connecticut (UCONN) Health Center as Director of Patient Relations where she created a successful patient rights educational program that continues today. Her management skills were quickly recognized after she joined UCONN Health Center as a staff nurse in 1985 and she was promoted to charge nurse and on up through the ranks to Director. Previously, Ms. Kean served at Yale New Haven Hospital and Waterbury Hospital as a Registered Nurse specializing in critical care.

In addition to being a member of the Board at High Watch, Ms. Kean currently serves on the Board of Directors for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, Vineyard House and Primetime House. She has also served on the Boards at Father Martin's Ashley and the Alcohol Drug Rehabilitation Center in Hartford, CT. Her affiliations include the International Center for Health Concerns, St. Petersburg House of Hope, International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, National Society for Patient Representation and Consumer Affairs and the Connecticut Hospital Association.

Ms. Kean earned a BS in Psychology from Trinity College and a MS in Nursing from Yale University. She is a Board Certified Adult Psychiatric & Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

Oreste J. Arcuni, MD

Director of Addiction Medicine
Dr. Arcuni is a Diplomat of the American Board of Addiction Medicine.  He is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in Psychiatry and Geriatric Psychiatry. He leads a team of seasoned, licensed therapists in providing cutting edge addiction treatment at High Watch. Dr. Arcuni and his staff have a keen eye for diagnosing any underlying issues that might interfere with one’s ability to stay sober. Dr. Arcuni maintains compassionate care at the center of all treatment.

As Chairman of Danbury Hospital’s Department of Psychiatry for 26 years prior to his appointment at High Watch, Dr. Arcuni developed comprehensive treatment programs for persons with substance abuse disorders as well as co-occurring disorders. The hospital and public benefited from the many programs he developed including a methadone maintenance program, the Hospital’s mental health clinic and psychiatric day program to serve chronically ill patients, the Crisis Intervention Program and the Aftercare program for the mentally ill.

Dr. Arcuni is affiliated with the American Society of Addiction Medicine and serves on the Board of Filosa Convalescent Homes. Passionate about educating professionals in the field, Dr. Arcuni has been a Reviewer for the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law, served as Chairman of Danbury Hospital’s Medical Education & Research Committee, directed the Residency Program and Psychiatric Clerkship of New York Medical College and Chaired the Advisory Board of Fairfield Hills State Hospital for 10 years.

A graduate of Cornell Medical College and Fordham University, Dr. Arcuni holds academic appointments as Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at New York Medical College and Professor of Psychiatry at St. George's University School of Medicine. In addition, Dr. Arcuni holds a courtesy faculty position at Yale University and he is a board-certified Forensic Examiner.

Daria S. Kiernan, MS, MSN, PMHNP – BC

Vice President, Compliance
Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
A Family Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Daria Kiernan is highly acknowledged for her holistic approach to healing. Kiernan’s diverse educational healthcare background and training encourages family inclusion in the healing process. High Watch residents and their families benefit from her history of working with families, including children of all ages, dealing with somatic and mental health issues. Highly skilled, Ms. Kiernan has additional specialty training in trauma and attachment disorder. She is also a certified Reiki Practitioner.

Dedicated to educating the public and families, Kiernan holds a Connecticut Teachers certification and has developed courses in Eating Disorder Information, Nutrition and Health. She is a graduate of Fairfield University where she received her BSN and MSN leading to her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner license. She holds a MS in Counseling from Southern Connecticut State University and a BA from UCONN.

Ms. Kiernan is a member of the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International, Connecticut Society of Nurse Psychotherapists and the American Psychiatric Nurses Association.

Tranquil and Spiritual

Residents find the natural beauty, tranquility and spiritual energy of our environment along with the gentle pacing of our program gives them the peace of mind needed to recover from their addiction to drugs and alcohol. Accommodations

Advanced Medicine

We integrate the latest breakthroughs in addiction medicine, for the treatment of both the neurobiology of addiction and any co-occurring disorders. Programs

Very Affordable Treatment

We are a non-profit providing evidence based treatment for drug and alcohol addiction at affordable prices. This is the legacy Bill W. left to the “Farm” in 1940. Admissions

 

 

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