In recent months, the behavioral health industry has witnessed several significant leadership transitions that signal the ongoing evolution of care delivery across the sector. These leadership transitions in behavioral health reflect a commitment to improving patient outcomes, expanding service offerings, and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of mental health and addiction treatment. Here’s an in-depth look at some of the most notable leadership shifts and their implications for the future of behavioral health care.
Bradford Health Services Names Lisa Evans as New CEO
Bradford Health Services, a major player in the behavioral health field with 40 locations across Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Tennessee, has named Lisa Evans its new Chief Executive Officer. Evans succeeds Mike Rickman, who served as CEO for approximately five years. Under Rickman’s leadership, Bradford Health Services grew substantially, but Evans’ appointment marks a new chapter for the company as it continues to expand its reach and refine its service offerings.
Evans brings over 20 years of experience in the healthcare and behavioral health industries, with a notable track record of leadership in both corporate and clinical operations. She previously served as the Chief Operating Officer at Perimeter Healthcare, an Atlanta-based behavioral health company that operates 10 locations across six states in the Southern U.S. Evans has also held leadership roles at Universal Health Services (NYSE: UHS) and HCA Healthcare (NYSE: HCA), both of which are industry giants.
In a statement, Jon O’Shaughnessy, Bradford Health Services’ board chair, expressed confidence in Evans’ leadership capabilities, particularly her patient-focused approach. “I am confident her focus on the patient experience will serve to differentiate Bradford’s offerings from those of our competitors,” O’Shaughnessy said. Bradford Health Services, which was acquired by the middle-market private equity firm Lee Equity Partners in 2022, continues to build its portfolio and remains committed to providing comprehensive behavioral health services to communities across the Southeastern U.S.
As a new leader at Bradford, Evans is expected to focus on enhancing the patient experience, leveraging technology, and expanding access to care, particularly as the company looks to meet the growing demand for mental health and addiction treatment services. Under her stewardship, Bradford aims to provide high-quality, compassionate care to those struggling with addiction and mental health challenges, ensuring that each patient’s needs are addressed holistically.
Pelago Appoints Michael Reiff as Chief Product Officer
In another significant leadership development, Pelago, the virtual behavioral health company that rebranded from Quit Genius earlier this year, has appointed Michael Reiff as its new Chief Product Officer. Reiff’s appointment marks a pivotal moment for the company, which continues to expand its services in the virtual care space. Pelago’s mission is to provide accessible, evidence-based treatment for individuals struggling with substance use disorders, particularly alcohol and opioid use disorders.
Reiff comes to Pelago from Experian Partner Solutions, where he was Senior Vice President and Head of Product. His career also includes leadership roles at companies such as Netspend, Vertive, and Dun & Bradstreet. Reiff’s broad experience in product management, user experience, and engineering will be instrumental as Pelago continues to develop and refine its offerings.
Speaking about his new role, Reiff expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “For me, this move is far more personally significant than any role I have previously taken on, and I can’t wait to get started.” Pelago’s rebranding from Quit Genius to Pelago reflects its broader vision for the future of virtual behavioral health care, with an emphasis on delivering value-based care to enterprise customers and providing personalized treatment options for individuals battling addiction.
Pelago’s recent expansion of services to include treatment for teens struggling with alcohol and opioid use disorders highlights the company’s commitment to serving a wider demographic, with a focus on young people who face unique challenges related to addiction. As a leader in the telehealth space, Pelago continues to raise significant funding to fuel its growth and drive innovation in virtual behavioral health services.
OneFifteen Adds Michele Perry as Senior Director of Hybrid Care
OneFifteen, a nonprofit addiction treatment provider based in Dayton, Ohio, has appointed Michele Perry as its Senior Director of Hybrid Care. OneFifteen’s mission is to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care through a hybrid model that integrates both in-person and virtual services. The organization operates a 100-bed campus in Dayton and offers a variety of treatment options for individuals struggling with substance use disorders and mental health challenges.
As the Senior Director of Hybrid Care, Perry will play a crucial role in further developing OneFifteen’s innovative care model, which emphasizes the use of technology and wrap-around services to address the social determinants of health. OneFifteen’s care model integrates behavioral health services with support for housing, employment, and social connection, aiming to provide a holistic approach to addiction treatment.
OneFifteen’s transition from a management services organization to a direct care provider reflects its commitment to offering more personalized care to its patients. Over the past four years, the organization has served approximately 7,000 individuals, and it continues to grow and evolve to meet the needs of its patient population. Perry’s leadership will be instrumental in ensuring that OneFifteen’s hybrid care model remains at the forefront of innovation in the addiction treatment field.
Looking ahead, OneFifteen is also preparing to enter the world of value-based care contracting. The company hopes to begin participating in value-based contracts within the next year or two, enabling it to deliver even more cost-effective and patient-centered care to individuals in need of addiction treatment.
Motivo Appoints Jon Stout as Chief Business Officer
Motivo, a tech startup focused on providing virtual clinical supervision for mental health professionals, has appointed Jon Stout as its Chief Business Officer. Stout brings extensive experience in healthcare leadership to the role, having previously served as a venture partner at Optum Ventures, the venture capital arm of Optum, and Chief Growth Officer at AbleTo, a telehealth company acquired by Optum in 2020.
In his new role at Motivo, Stout will be responsible for overseeing the company’s business development, partnerships, marketing, and operations. His appointment comes at a crucial time as Motivo continues to address the growing behavioral health workforce shortage by expanding access to virtual clinical supervision for therapists across the U.S.
Motivo’s CEO and co-founder, Rachel McCrickard, expressed excitement about Stout’s leadership, saying, “His alignment with our vision and values, combined with his proven track record in healthcare leadership, uniquely positions him to help us tackle the behavioral health workforce shortage head-on.” With a focus on expanding access to quality clinical supervision, Motivo is playing a vital role in supporting mental health professionals and ensuring that they have the tools and resources needed to provide effective care to patients.
The Center for Discovery Appoints Theresa Hamlin as CEO
The Center for Discovery, a nonprofit organization based in Harris, New York, has announced the appointment of Theresa Hamlin as its new CEO. Hamlin has been with the organization since 1983 and has served as its president for many years. She will succeed Patrick Dollard, who has led the organization for an impressive 43 years. Dollard will continue his involvement with The Center for Discovery as a senior advisor, ensuring a smooth leadership transition.
The Center for Discovery provides health care and education services to individuals with complex conditions, medical frailties, and autism spectrum disorders. The nonprofit organization operates a campus in New York and cares for about 1,200 patients. Under Dollard’s leadership, The Center for Discovery became a pioneer in providing specialized care to individuals with developmental and medical challenges, setting a high standard for care in the industry.
Theresa Hamlin’s appointment ensures that The Center for Discovery will continue to uphold its legacy of excellence in care while navigating the evolving healthcare landscape. The organization’s focus on providing comprehensive, individualized care to individuals with disabilities and medical frailties will remain a cornerstone of its operations.
Conclusion: A New Era for Behavioral Health
These leadership transitions in behavioral health reflect a broader trend in the sector toward innovation, patient-centered care, and the expansion of services. From Bradford Health Services’ new CEO Lisa Evans, focused on improving the patient experience, to Pelago’s Michael Reiff, who is leading efforts to expand virtual care, the industry is evolving rapidly to meet the needs of individuals struggling with addiction and mental health challenges.
At organizations like OneFifteen and Motivo, leadership changes are driving a shift toward hybrid care models and virtual supervision, providing patients and providers with more flexible, accessible options for treatment. These leadership transitions in behavioral health signal that the field is embracing change, preparing to deliver more integrated, holistic care in the years ahead.
As these organizations continue to grow and adapt, the leadership transitions across the behavioral health sector provide hope for a more innovative, compassionate, and effective approach to addiction and mental health treatment. The future of behavioral health care is bright, and these changes are just the beginning of an exciting new chapter.
