Alsana, a prominent provider of eating disorder treatment, has appointed Jordan Watson as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), signaling a significant leadership transition just months after Allan Benham’s brief tenure in the role. Watson, who previously worked at Alsana from 2017 to 2022 as the Chief Growth Officer, brings a wealth of experience in both leadership and clinical care. His return to Alsana marks a new chapter in the company’s growth, with a focus on continuing its mission to provide compassionate, high-quality care to individuals battling eating disorders and co-occurring mental health issues.
This leadership transition comes at a pivotal time for Alsana, following Benham’s departure after only 10 months in the CEO position. Prior to joining Alsana, Benham worked for Meadows Behavioral Healthcare, a provider of trauma, mental health, and addiction services. During his time at Alsana, Benham focused on creating a strategy of “sustained, intentional growth,” particularly after the organization’s rapid expansion between 2020 and 2022. In interviews, Benham acknowledged that some of Alsana’s aggressive growth strategies needed to be reassessed, describing how the company had to “backpedal” on certain plans. Now, with Watson back at the helm, Alsana is poised to stabilize and continue its thoughtful approach to growth.
In a LinkedIn post about his appointment, Watson shared his deep commitment to the field and to Alsana’s mission. “I believe deeply in Alsana’s vision to create an eating recovery community in which all people can find healing and a recovered life,” Watson expressed. His leadership philosophy is centered around delivering excellent treatment outcomes, ensuring positive client experiences, and fostering consistent collaboration with clients and providers. “My commitment to the field is [that] I will work diligently to ensure we continue to deliver excellent treatment outcomes, positive client experience, consistent collaboration with you when trusted with a client, and thoughtful growth to reach more people in need of care,” Watson said. This statement highlights Watson’s dedication to navigating this eating disorder treatment leadership transition with a focus on stability, care, and expansion.
Watson’s extensive background in the eating disorder treatment field makes him well-equipped to guide Alsana through this leadership transition. Before moving into leadership roles, Watson began his career as a counselor, working directly with patients suffering from eating disorders. This hands-on experience provides him with a unique perspective on the needs of those in recovery, and his experience at Alsana as Chief Growth Officer will help him lead the organization as it moves forward. His experience in both patient care and organizational growth will be key to ensuring Alsana remains a leader in the eating disorder treatment space.
Alsana, based in Thousand Oaks, California, offers specialized care for a variety of eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, and diabulimia. In addition to its eating disorder treatment services, Alsana provides care for trauma and co-occurring conditions such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD. The organization offers in-person treatment at locations in Alabama and California, as well as virtual treatment options that make care accessible to those who may not be able to attend in person. While Alsana had previously operated facilities in Missouri, those locations are currently temporarily closed according to the company’s website.
The leadership transition at Alsana emphasizes the company’s dedication to providing quality care and ensuring its continued growth. By appointing Watson, Alsana is reaffirming its commitment to delivering top-tier eating disorder treatment and positive client experiences. As Watson takes the reins, the company is poised to strengthen its services and expand its reach, ensuring that more individuals who need help with eating disorders and co-occurring conditions can access the care they deserve.
Though Alsana did not respond to Behavioral Health Business’s request for comment regarding the CEO transition by the time of publication, Watson’s appointment marks a pivotal moment for the organization. As the company moves forward under Watson’s leadership, the focus will remain on offering effective, evidence-based treatment while expanding to serve more people in need of care. This transition represents an exciting opportunity for Alsana to continue its important work in the eating disorder treatment field and to build on its legacy of compassion, growth, and recovery.
With Watson at the helm, Alsana is well-positioned to navigate this eating disorder treatment leadership transition and emerge as an even stronger force in the behavioral health space. His experience and commitment to the organization’s mission will help guide the company through its next phase of growth, ensuring that it continues to provide outstanding care to those on the road to recovery.
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