Recovery Centers of America (RCA), headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, recently announced two key executive appointments to lead its expanding mental health services business. Dr. Hyong Un was named Chief Medical Officer, and Dr. Peter Vernig joined as Vice President of Mental Health Services. These leadership additions come at a pivotal time as RCA intensifies its behavioral health services expansion, aiming to broaden and enhance its outpatient mental health care alongside its existing addiction treatment programs.
Experienced Leadership Drives Behavioral Health Services Expansion
Dr. Hyong Un brings extensive expertise in behavioral health leadership, having served as Chief Psychiatric Officer at Aetna, part of CVS Health. There, he spearheaded the development of a comprehensive behavioral health program, supporting over one million healthcare providers nationwide. With his deep clinical background—earning his medical degree and completing residency at the University of Pennsylvania—Dr. Un is uniquely positioned to guide RCA’s integrated behavioral health strategy.
His responsibilities will include shaping and executing the company-wide behavioral health services expansion, focusing on blending outpatient mental health care with RCA’s established inpatient and outpatient substance use disorder (SUD) programs. This integrated approach is designed to improve care coordination and patient outcomes.
Meeting a Rising Demand for Comprehensive Mental Health Care
Joining RCA with considerable clinical experience, Dr. Peter Vernig previously served as Chief Clinical Officer at Friends Hospital in Philadelphia, the country’s oldest private psychiatric hospital. As Vice President of Mental Health Services, Dr. Vernig will oversee the continued growth of RCA’s mental health offerings across outpatient, inpatient, and digital platforms.
“The need for mental health services has been growing steadily for years,” Dr. Vernig noted. “This trend predates the COVID-19 pandemic, but recent years’ social isolation, uncertainty, and stress have accelerated demand. Our behavioral health services expansion seeks to address this by developing new programs that serve patients with or without co-occurring substance use disorders.”
Expanding Outpatient Mental Health Programs with Flexibility and Access
Central to RCA’s behavioral health services expansion is the launch of a new outpatient mental health business. This service targets patients whose primary diagnosis is a mental health disorder, including conditions such as bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, trauma-related disorders, and personality disorders. Importantly, the program is designed to be in-network with many private health insurance plans, helping to reduce financial barriers to care.
Operating with a hybrid model, the outpatient program offers both in-person and digital options, combining the convenience and accessibility of telehealth with the benefits of face-to-face interaction. This flexibility ensures that patients can access care in a manner best suited to their personal circumstances and preferences.
A Holistic Vision: Integrated Behavioral Health Care at RCA
RCA’s behavioral health services expansion embodies a holistic, integrated model of care. Recognizing that many individuals experience co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, RCA is focused on providing seamless treatment across these intersecting conditions. Coordinated care improves engagement, reduces relapse rates, and supports sustainable recovery.
Dr. Un emphasized this vision, stating, “World-class mental health care demands precision in diagnosis, treatment planning, and delivery. These elements must align perfectly to meet patients where they are—addressing their unique recovery needs and readiness for change.”
Preparing for the Future of Behavioral Health Care
With the guidance of Dr. Un and Dr. Vernig, RCA is well-positioned to lead the way in behavioral health services expansion. Their combined clinical and leadership experience will help ensure that RCA’s programs remain innovative, evidence-based, and patient-centered.
As the demand for behavioral health care continues to grow nationwide, RCA’s expanded outpatient mental health offerings will help fill critical gaps in access to quality treatment. The organization’s hybrid approach and insurance partnerships further enhance accessibility and affordability.
Ultimately, RCA’s behavioral health services expansion reflects a comprehensive commitment to meeting the diverse needs of patients—whether they require support for mental health disorders, substance use disorders, or both. By offering integrated, personalized care, RCA is advancing the future of recovery and wellness across the country.
