40 Under Forty: Allison Beckler, DO, 33

Photo | Erika Sidor Winners of the WBJ 2018 40 Under Forty award (from left): Nicholas Pelletier, Erica Grinkis, Allison Beckler and Ryan Matson.

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Medical director

YOU, Inc., Worcester, Gardner & Baldwinville

Lives: Gardner

Birthplace: Lewiston, Maine

Colleges: University of New England, University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine

Beckler was named the medical director at Worcester's YOU, Inc. just last fall, but her efforts to improve health care in Central Massachusetts extend far beyond that appointment. The Maine native volunteer teaches psychiatry students at UMass Medical Center – where she completed her residency herself as a child psychiatrist – to help them adjust to the challenging role of children psychiatry and high burnout rates. Before joining YOU, Inc., she helped create a case conference by video between UMass and Shanghai. At YOU, Inc., Beckler has started a tele-psychiatry program to help patients in the Southbridge area access care if they can't get around because of transportation issues. She's brought stability to a position that had seen a period of quick turnover, and occupied at a young age a critical position for the only nonprofit children's behavioral health agency in Central Massachusetts providing intensive acute inpatient care. As for Beckler's imprint on getting people to stay in the field? Her first year as medical director included no turnover within her department.

From 40 Under Forty judge Kate Sharry: “Dr. Beckler's dedication and leadership has been instrumental in strengthening YOU, Inc. as an organization, and she influences the lives of children and their families on a daily basis. She is doing work on a day-to-day basis that shapes the future of our community and society.”

What would you like people to say about you when it is all said and done? I made them laugh, smile and cry, and was someone who cared deeply about people.

If you could go back in time, when would you go back to? The 1920s because I have always loved the book “The Great Gatsby” and would have loved to attend a party like his.

Read about the entire 2018 Class of 40 Under Forty

Michael Alden - Ascentria Care Alliance

Che Anderson - City of Worcester

Victor M. Archila - VMA Electric Inc.

Allison Beckler, DO - YOU, Inc.

Sam Bitar - Webster Five

Mark A. Borenstein - Seder & Chandler LLP

Kate D. Campanale - Massachusetts House of Representatives

Derek Canton - paerpay

Ryan Canuel - Petricore, Inc.

Jennifer Caron - Body Therapeutics

Danielle J. Clark - Clark Career Coaching