Indianapolis-based Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers is making a significant strategic push to improve clinical outcomes and accelerate its transition to value-based care models with the appointment of three new top-level executives. These appointments reflect Hopebridge’s commitment to clinical excellence, innovation, and expanding access to quality autism care nationwide, with a strong focus on autism therapy leadership.
On Monday, the organization announced that Dr. Adam Hahs has been named chief science officer, Jana Sarno has been appointed chief clinical officer, and Kim Strunk has joined as head of clinical strategy. Together, these leaders will be at the forefront of reshaping Hopebridge’s clinical practices, guiding research initiatives, and expanding the organization’s footprint across multiple states, highlighting the importance of effective autism therapy leadership in a rapidly growing field.
A National Leader in Autism Therapy
Founded in 2005, Hopebridge has rapidly grown to become a prominent national provider of autism therapy services. The company currently operates over 100 centers in 12 states, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Ohio, and Tennessee. Hopebridge’s network serves thousands of families each year, focusing on delivering evidence-based therapies tailored to individual needs — a goal that depends heavily on strong autism therapy leadership at every level.
Hopebridge’s mission centers on providing high-quality care grounded in scientific research and best clinical practices. The recent appointments align with this mission and underscore the organization’s focus on delivering measurable improvements in patient outcomes while advancing value-based care — a model that emphasizes effectiveness, efficiency, and patient-centered results. These goals underscore the critical role of autism therapy leadership in guiding the organization’s growth and clinical innovation.
Strengthening Clinical Leadership for a New Era
The newly appointed executives will lead Hopebridge’s clinical department, tasked with enhancing standards of care, driving innovation, and expanding clinical training and service delivery across the organization’s vast network. Their roles exemplify the transformative impact that effective autism therapy leadership can have on patient care and organizational success.
“Strunk, Hahs and Sarno each bring a unique, highly experienced skillset to our team,” said Hopebridge CEO Dennis May in a news release. “I am confident that our investments in clinical excellence and a strong clinical leadership team will not only elevate the quality of care for Hopebridge, but will create advancements for the entire industry as a whole.”
Driving Research and Innovation: Dr. Adam Hahs, Chief Science Officer
Dr. Adam Hahs, who previously served as vice president of clinical services at Hopebridge, will now lead the company’s scientific research and clinical innovation efforts. He played an instrumental role in creating the Hopebridge Fellowship Program, recognized as one of the largest clinical supervision programs in the autism care industry. His deep expertise and leadership will help position Hopebridge at the forefront of autism research and evidence-based care, exemplifying the power of dedicated autism therapy leadership in advancing the field.
In his new role, Dr. Hahs is responsible for advancing research initiatives that improve early intervention techniques, clinical practices, and long-term developmental outcomes for children with autism. By fostering a culture of scientific inquiry and clinical excellence, he aims to accelerate Hopebridge’s adoption of cutting-edge therapies and data-driven practices.
Overseeing Clinical Training and Care Delivery: Jana Sarno, Chief Clinical Officer
Jana Sarno brings extensive experience to her role as chief clinical officer, overseeing all aspects of clinical training, service delivery, and strategic planning at Hopebridge. Sarno’s clinical background is rooted in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and related therapeutic approaches, which are foundational to Hopebridge’s treatment model.
Before joining Hopebridge, Sarno served as chief clinical officer at Autism In Motion Clinics (AIM Clinics), a Little Rock, Arkansas-based provider of autism therapy services. The recent acquisition of AIM Clinics by Hopebridge expanded the organization’s presence into Arkansas, Alabama, North Carolina, Ohio, and Tennessee, further bolstering its regional footprint. This expansion highlights the importance of effective autism therapy leadership in scaling quality care across diverse locations.
Sarno’s leadership will ensure that Hopebridge’s care teams receive ongoing, high-quality training that aligns with evolving best practices, equipping clinicians to deliver consistent and effective treatment across all centers.
Shaping Clinical Strategy Across Multiple States: Kim Strunk, Head of Clinical Strategy
Kim Strunk’s role as head of clinical strategy is crucial to implementing Hopebridge’s clinical vision on a broad scale. She will coordinate efforts to standardize clinical protocols, enhance service accessibility, and ensure alignment with the organization’s overall strategic goals. Strunk’s work will also focus on expanding Hopebridge’s reach, allowing more families to benefit from its specialized autism services. Her appointment underscores the strategic role of autism therapy leadership in driving system-wide improvements.
Rapid Expansion and Commitment to Workforce Growth
Hopebridge is on an aggressive expansion path. The company announced plans to open 40 new clinics in 2022 alone and to hire approximately 4,000 new employees to support its growth and increase access to autism services.
The acquisition of AIM Clinics played a significant role in this expansion, adding numerous centers in key states and significantly increasing Hopebridge’s geographic reach. This move also brings additional clinical expertise and resources to the organization.
A Future Focused on Evidence-Based Care and Family Impact
Hopebridge’s clinical leadership team recognizes that improving autism care requires ongoing investments in research, workforce development, and innovative service delivery models. Their collective focus on evidence-based practices and value-driven outcomes aims to enhance the lives of children and families affected by autism.
As Dr. Hahs noted, “We’re heavily investing in the adoption of evidence-based practices that will improve autism care, delivery, and outcomes for the families we dedicate our mission to.” This approach reflects a commitment to autism therapy leadership that prioritizes clinical excellence and measurable impact.
Conclusion
The appointment of Dr. Adam Hahs, Jana Sarno, and Kim Strunk signals Hopebridge’s commitment to advancing the quality and scope of autism therapy through strong clinical leadership. As the organization embraces value-based care models and expands its footprint nationwide, these leaders will be pivotal in driving research innovation, clinical training, and strategic growth.
Hopebridge’s evolving leadership team and aggressive expansion plans underscore a promising future for autism therapy—one where families receive high-quality, evidence-based care that leads to meaningful, measurable outcomes. This transformation aligns with a broader industry movement toward value-based care, ensuring better health and developmental trajectories for children with autism across the country through dedicated autism therapy leadership.
