Alpharus Health Adds Two to Learning Institute

The behavioral health provider added Lisa Abrams and Kathrina St. Flavin to expand training and professional development opportunities.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in People

Isometric editorial illustration of a stack of plain teal binders beside a blank cream notebook on an oxblood surface, suggesting professional training materials. — Alpharus Health added Lisa Abrams and Kathrina St. Flavin to its Learning Institute to expand training and professional development for behavioral health staff. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Alpharus Health has expanded its Learning Institute by adding two workforce development leaders, Lisa Abrams and Kathrina St. Flavin. The Learning Institute provides training, continuing education and professional development opportunities.

Why it matters

The additions aim to broaden external training opportunities for behavioral health professionals across Illinois. The expansion gives Alpharus employees and outside providers more access to professional growth resources.

Abrams spent seven years at Haymarket Center, where she built one of the largest CADC training and certification programs in Illinois. St. Flavin brings more than a decade of experience in training design and instructional development, and the release does not state how many new programs will launch.

The players

Alpharus Health

Alpharus Health is a Chicago-based behavioral health provider with nearly 60 years of experience serving Illinois communities.

Lisa Abrams

Lisa Abrams is a behavioral health workforce leader who previously built a large CADC training program at Haymarket Center.

Kathrina St. Flavin

Kathrina St. Flavin is a training and instructional design professional with more than a decade of experience in workforce development.

The details

Lisa Abrams, Director of the Learning Institute, will oversee its strategic growth and assess training needs across the organization. Kathrina St. Flavin, Learning and Development Specialist, joined earlier this year and will help develop a calendar of internal and external learning opportunities.

Seven years before joining Alpharus Health, Abrams worked at Haymarket Center.
Earlier in 2026, St. Flavin joined Alpharus Health.
On November 3, 2026, Alpharus Health announced the Learning Institute expansion.

Workforce Pipeline

The expansion builds on Abrams' prior work developing CADC training and certification programs in Illinois, which are tied to the state's Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor credential. Expanded external training could help grow the pool of credentialed behavioral health professionals in the state.

Behavioral health professionals in Illinois may gain access to new external training and continuing education opportunities from Alpharus Health's Learning Institute. The release does not specify pricing, enrollment steps or start dates for these programs.

The takeaway

Behavioral health professionals who want continuing education or certification support in Illinois can check the Learning Institute for upcoming offerings. Watching for announced program schedules will show when new external training becomes available.