Brian Holzer Named CEO of Aware Recovery Care, Leading Growth in Home-Based Addiction Care

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Brian Holzer, a seasoned healthcare executive with a strong background in post-acute and home health care, has been appointed CEO of Aware Recovery Care, a pioneering provider of home-based addiction care services. The company, headquartered in Wallingford, Connecticut, focuses on delivering comprehensive addiction treatment and recovery support directly to patients in their homes. This model represents a significant shift from traditional facility-based addiction treatment, emphasizing accessibility, comfort, and family involvement. Holzer officially took on the CEO role on April 18, 2022, succeeding Stephen Randazzo, who co-founded the company and now serves as chairman.

Extensive Leadership Experience in Home-Based and Post-Acute Care

Holzer’s career is distinguished by leadership roles centered on home health care, hospice, and post-acute services. Between 2013 and 2017, he was an executive at Highmark Health and Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh. During that time, he played a key role in developing post-acute care initiatives, including the launch of Healthcare@Home—a program designed to deliver coordinated healthcare services to patients in their homes. This background is particularly relevant as he steps into his new role, where home-based addiction care is the core service offering.

His expertise positions him uniquely to lead Aware Recovery Care’s mission of expanding home-based addiction care, which delivers not only clinical treatment but also vital family and caregiver support within the home environment.

The Unique Value of Home-Based Addiction Care

In an interview with Behavioral Health Business, Holzer discussed the advantages of home-based addiction care compared to facility-based models. He emphasized the important role of family and caregivers in the recovery process. “Since you’re in the home, you’re interfacing with the family and caregivers and support systems so much more directly than you would in any facility-based business,” he said. “You end up healing the family just as much as you heal the client.”

This holistic, family-centered approach is critical in addiction recovery, where the support network significantly influences patient outcomes. By delivering services in the home, Aware Recovery Care facilitates a deeper connection between providers, patients, and families, fostering an environment conducive to sustained recovery.

Transition from Lacuna Health and Innovation at Kindred Healthcare

Before joining Aware Recovery Care, Holzer was CEO of Lacuna Health, a patient engagement company launched by Kindred Healthcare (now ScionHealth). Lacuna’s services included a 24/7 nurse triage call center, care transition management, and remote patient monitoring, supporting ongoing patient care outside traditional settings. After Kindred Healthcare was acquired by LifePoint Health in late 2021, Lacuna became part of LifePoint’s broader physician services network.

Holzer initially joined Kindred Healthcare in 2017 as president of Kindred Innovations, a division tasked with incubating and launching new healthcare solutions. His work in developing home-based platforms at Kindred Innovations helped him hone the skills necessary to lead a company like Aware Recovery Care that operates at the intersection of healthcare innovation and home-based services.

Aware Recovery Care’s Rapid Growth and Strategic Funding

Aware Recovery Care is rapidly expanding. In January 2021, the company secured $22 million in Series A funding, led by New York City-based private equity firm Health Enterprise Partners. This significant capital infusion has enabled Aware Recovery Care to accelerate growth, expand its services, and continue refining its home-based addiction care model.

Holzer cited the company’s strong leadership and committed investors as major draws for joining. “That was a big selling point for me — to have that mix of a great private equity healthcare services investor and have two founders that were so connected to the mission and want to stay connected to the company,” he said, referring to co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer Matt Eacott and Health Enterprise Partners Managing Partner Pete Tedesco.

Leadership Strengthening and Company Vision

In addition to Holzer’s appointment as CEO, Aware Recovery Care promoted Dr. Andrea Auxier to president in February 2022. Auxier joined the company in May 2021 as chief growth officer and has played a critical role in driving the company’s expansion. These leadership changes signal Aware Recovery Care’s commitment to building a strong management team capable of scaling home-based addiction care nationally.

Together, this leadership team is focused on evolving the company’s model and expanding access to home-based addiction care, aiming to provide high-quality, compassionate treatment to individuals and families who need it most.

The Growing Importance of Home-Based Addiction Care

The addiction treatment industry is undergoing a transformation, with increasing recognition of the benefits of home-based addiction care. This model offers greater accessibility for patients who may face barriers to traditional facility-based treatment, such as stigma, transportation issues, or discomfort with institutional settings.

Aware Recovery Care’s approach not only addresses these barriers but also strengthens recovery by integrating family involvement and personalized support directly in the home environment. This patient-centered care model is gaining momentum as providers and payers alike seek innovative solutions that improve outcomes and reduce costs.

Looking Ahead: A New Standard in Addiction Treatment

Under Brian Holzer’s leadership, Aware Recovery Care is poised to expand its footprint and influence in the addiction treatment field. Holzer’s experience with home health care innovation and his vision for integrated, family-focused care align closely with the company’s goals.

By prioritizing home-based addiction care, Aware Recovery Care is setting a new standard—one that moves beyond facility walls to meet patients where they live. This approach not only improves convenience and comfort but also fosters deeper engagement with families and caregivers, critical components in long-term recovery success.

As awareness and demand for home-based addiction care grow, Aware Recovery Care’s innovative model, backed by a strong leadership team and strategic investment, positions it as a leader in the future of addiction treatment. Holzer’s vision and expertise will be key drivers in transforming how addiction services are delivered, helping countless individuals and families on their journey to healing in the comfort and privacy of their own homes.

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