End of an era at Peninsula Counseling Center
Herb Ruben departs as executive director
The Peninsula Counseling Center saw the end of an era last week when Herb Ruben, its executive director for the past half century, said his final goodbyes.
Ruben, who took over as the PCC’s executive director in August 1958, is being replaced in July by John Kastan, who arrives after a decade’s work in behavioral health services at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Manhattan.
In his final days as executive director, Ruben, a longtime Long Beach resident, was honored at the PCC’s 97th annual meeting on May 25 in the agency’s new 25,000-square-foot headquarters in Valley Stream. In his final remarks, Ruben spoke about how satisfied he is with having the PCC housed under one roof, with a new affiliation with North Shore/LIJ Health Care System. PCC was previously headquartered in Woodmere, and had satellite offices in several surrounding communities.
“I feel very proud of where we are today,” said Ruben, who received a standing ovation from the packed audience at the meeting. “I feel proud of the building we have ... not because the building is important but because it is a place where services can be rendered in a very meaningful kind of way.”
“You are truly the sun, the moon and the star of PCC,” said the center’s outgoing president, Bruce Katz. “Your total dedication and devotion to this organization is legendary and awe-inspiring.”
“Herb has been a visionary,” said Arlene Sanchez, commissioner of the Nassau County Department of Mental Health. “From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you for all your dedication.”
Kastan has served as vice president of operations and managed care and behavioral health services at St. Vincent’s. “It is an honor and privilege to become the executive director of Peninsula Counseling Center, especially following Herb Ruben, who has been such an important leader during his many decades,” Kastan said at the May 25 meeting. “It is up to us collectively to use our resources as efficiently as possible to build on the high quality and innovative work that Peninsula has carried out under Herb’s leadership and forge ahead to continue to meet the current and emerging needs of this diverse community.”
Ruben, who served in the Marines in World War II, said he is excited about his next job, with the Veterans Mental Health Alliance. He will provide services for veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan two days a week in New York City and once a week in Hempstead Village. “I look forward to that challenge,” he said.
