Open Sky Community Services expanded its clinical leadership team by appointing two psychiatrists to key medical director roles, a move the Worcester-based nonprofit says strengthens behavioral health care across its growing network of programs in Central Massachusetts.
The organization announced Tuesday that Dr. Sarah Langenfeld of Worcester and Dr. Prerna Moorjani of Shrewsbury will oversee major areas of care within Open Sky, which serves thousands of residents each year through mental health, developmental disability, substance use and family support programs.
The appointments come as behavioral health providers across Massachusetts continue facing increased demand for psychiatric care and ongoing workforce shortages, particularly in community-based settings.
Open Sky President and CEO Ken Bates said in the announcement that both psychiatrists bring “proven expertise in navigating the complexities of behavioral health within the core populations and communities we serve.”
“Their insightful, empathetic approach will strengthen our whole person care model, while ensuring inclusive and accessible services across all Open Sky programs,” Bates said in the release.
Langenfeld, a board-certified psychiatrist with more than 20 years of experience, has worked part-time for the past four years with Open Sky’s Program of Assertive Community Treatment, which serves individuals with long-term and intensive mental health needs. She previously served as medical director for a Community Behavioral Health Center and worked as an attending psychiatrist in outpatient care.
In her new role, Langenfeld oversees programs contracted through the state Departments of Mental Health and Public Health and provides psychiatric pharmacology care through Open Sky’s Bridge Counseling Center.
A graduate of Bates College and UMass Chan Medical School, Langenfeld was recognized in 2023 as a Champion of Health Care by the Worcester Business Journal.
Moorjani, a board-certified adult, child and adolescent psychiatrist, specializes in intergenerational trauma and neurodevelopmental disorders. She serves as medical director for Open Sky’s Developmental Disabilities Services and Child and Family Services Division, while also providing care at the organization’s Behavioral Health Urgent Care clinic.
Before joining Open Sky, Moorjani worked as a child and adolescent psychiatrist for a community-based provider in Central Massachusetts.
Open Sky Executive Vice President and Chief Program Officer Manny Oppong said the additions represent “a huge step forward” for the organization’s clinical services.
“These psychiatrists are coming to Open Sky with years of experience and specialized expertise that will truly support, enhance, and grow our services,” Oppong said.
These appointments also come amid uncertainty within Worcester’s behavioral health system. Last week, Open Sky confirmed that discussions with UMass Memorial Health about possibly transferring several Community Healthlink programs ultimately did not result in an agreement, as Community Healthlink moves toward what UMass Memorial Health has described as the organization’s “eventual closure.” Open Sky has said it remains involved in ongoing conversations about behavioral health service gaps in the region.
Founded more than 50 years ago, Open Sky Community Services operates nearly 150 programs across Central Massachusetts and supports more than 8,000 individuals annually, according to the organization.
