Acadia Healthcare, a dominant force in the behavioral health industry (Nasdaq: ACHC), has recently expanded its executive team with the appointment of Dr. Nasser Khan. Previously the Operations Group President for Acadia’s Comprehensive Treatment Center (CTC) division, Khan will now move into the role of Chief Operating Officer, effective from June 30, as reported by bhbusiness.
Dr. Khan, with his extensive experience in healthcare operations, brings a unique perspective to his new position. Prior to joining Acadia in 2022, he served as the Senior Vice President of Operations at Shields Health Solutions, a subsidiary of Walgreens Boots Alliance (Nasdaq: WBA). He also held several roles at DaVita, Inc., including Division Vice President of Hospital Services, and served as Head of Program and Chief Medical Officer at Biograph, a healthcare technology firm. His impressive career journey can be viewed on crunchbase.
In his new role as COO at Acadia, Khan will focus on three main priorities: service to patients, service to staff, and quality and clinical outcomes. His leadership is expected to propel the company from great to even greater heights, as he strives to deliver the highest quality care at scale according to a news report on Business Wire.
Khan’s promotion comes as part of a broader strategic shift within Acadia, as the company works to expand its CTC division. Under Khan’s leadership, Acadia plans to open 14 new CTCs in 2024 and has recently acquired three North Carolina-based CTCs. This renewed focus on CTCs is central to Acadia’s five-point strategy for growth, which includes facility expansion, de novo growth, joint venture partnerships, acquisitions, and expanding its care continuum. These developments have been highlighted on Beckers Behavioral health.
Even as he prioritizes growth, Khan also emphasizes the importance of innovation in meeting the company’s primary objectives. He believes in leveraging and adapting technology, new ways of thinking, and new ways of working to make Acadia a great employer and a great caretaker for patients as stated on his F6S profile.
Despite experiencing weaker patient volumes than expected in the first quarter of 2024, Acadia still projects that the company will meet its full-year guidance. Beyond its CTC business, the company also plans to grow its outpatient segment. Acadia’s CEO, Christopher Hunter, has stated that growing the company’s partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient programs is currently a “small financial contributor” to the business but one that has a significant upside over time.
In conclusion, Dr. Nasser Khan’s appointment represents a significant milestone for both him and Acadia Healthcare. His length and breadth of experience, coupled with his dedication to quality care, make him an excellent fit for the role of COO. As Acadia continues to expand and innovate in the behavioral health sector, Khan’s leadership will undoubtedly be instrumental in guiding the company to new heights of success.