FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dr. Jennifer Thomas Named New Executive Director of Teen Health Connection
Thomas Steps into the Role as Fourth Leader of the 33-Year-Old Organization
CHARLOTTE, NC – October 16, 2025 – Teen Health Connection, the leading provider of integrated medical and behavioral health services for adolescents and young adults in the Charlotte region, announced today the selection of Dr. Jennifer Thomas as the new Executive Director.
Dr. Thomas brings more than 15 years of experience as a behavioral health care leader and licensed psychologist focusing on adolescents and their families. Currently, Thomas serves as the Chief Psychologist with Teen Health Connection. In her current role, Thomas and her team provide behavioral health triage, assessments for youth involved with child welfare, and social work services for teens receiving specialized medical care. Thomas began her work at Teen Health Connection in 2012 when she was hired as the first full-time psychologist on the Assessment Services Team, including the Independent Psychological Assessments. Since that time, she has provided leadership and guidance resulting in tremendous growth and expansion of the work of Teen Health Connection, particularly through partnerships with Mecklenburg County and other organizations in the community. Her extensive history of leadership and innovation is known throughout the community through her strategic community partnerships and collaborations.
Thomas’ promotion comes as Teen Health Connection prepares for the retirement of current Executive Director Libby Safrit, who joined the organization in 1998. Safrit began as the first behavioral health clinician and was named Executive Director in 2009. Safrit has been a leader and advocate for integrated physical and behavioral healthcare for adolescents, and her name is truly synonymous with Teen Health Connection.
“I could not be more confident in Dr. Thomas’s ability to lead Teen Health Connection into its next chapter,” said Safrit. “Her heart for this work, her expertise, and her unwavering dedication will continue to elevate our organization locally and nationally. As I pass the torch, I do so knowing that Teen Health Connection is in the most capable hands.”
Thomas clearly understands the future for Teen Health Connection and has a vision for how to serve teens and their families. “Teen Health Connection provides a safe space for all adolescents to receive the medical and behavioral health services they need,” Thomas explained. “I’m incredibly excited to enter this new role as Executive Director as we continue to grow our impact on the lives of teens in our community and take Teen Health Connection to the next level in integrated health care.”
“I look forward to working alongside a fabulous team of health experts who care tremendously about supporting the unique strengths and needs of teens and their families as they journey through the joys and challenges of adolescence,” said Thomas. “Teen Health Connection is needed now more than ever.”
Thomas received her Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She completed her Predoctoral Psychology internship in Clinical Child Psychology with an emphasis on child trauma at the Duke University Medical Center. She also has a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
In addition to her work at Teen Health Connection, she has held positions in a variety of settings including community-based behavioral health agencies, a managed care organization, and within a university setting. Thomas has served on many community workgroups and committees including the Mecklenburg County Child Fatality Prevention and Protection Team and currently holds a position on the leadership team with the Children’s Alliance of Mecklenburg County.
Thomas will begin as Executive Director with Teen Health Connection on December 1, 2025.
ABOUT TEEN HEALTH CONNECTION
Teen Health Connection is the leading provider of integrated medical and behavioral health services for adolescents and young adults ages 11 through 25 in the Charlotte region. Through an exclusive community collaboration with Atrium Health, Teen Health Connection’s team of experts are positioned to meet the unique needs of adolescents and their families. Teen Health Connection’s team is comprised of medical providers and nurses, psychologists, behavioral health therapists and triage clinicians, community health educators, parent educators, and a research and evaluation team. Teen Health Connection’s mission is to improve the health of adolescents by providing physical and behavioral services, advocacy, education, leadership development, and research through connections among adolescents, parents, and the community. For more information, visit www.TeenHealthConnection.org
