Acadia Healthcare (Nasdaq: ACHC) has announced the appointment of Dr. Nasser Khan as the new Chief Operating Officer, effective from June 30, as reported by Beckers Behavioral Health. The role of COO was previously performed by the company’s Executive Vice President of Operations, John Hollinsworth, who is set to retire on the same day. After his official retirement, Hollinsworth will serve in an advisory role until the end of 2024 to facilitate a smooth leadership transition.

Before joining Acadia Healthcare, Nasser Khan served as the Senior Vice President of Operations at Shields Health Solutions, a subsidiary of Walgreens Boots Alliance (Nasdaq: WBA). Demonstrating his extensive experience in the healthcare sector, Khan also worked as the Head of Program and Chief Medical Officer at Biograph, a healthcare technology company.

In his new role, Khan is committed to providing service to both patients and staff, and maintaining the high-quality clinical outcomes that Acadia Healthcare is known for. BH Business quoted Khan stating, “I do believe we already deliver the highest quality care in the industry and do so at scale. I think we will go from great to even greater in that regard.”

Under Khan’s leadership, Acadia Healthcare plans to expand its Comprehensive Treatment Center (CTC) division, with 14 new CTCs expected to open in 2024, as announced on Business Wire. Furthermore, Acadia acquired three North Carolina-based CTCs in March, reinforcing its commitment to growth and expansion.

Speaking on the company’s strategy, Khan said, “That being said, one thing that you will see more of is a real focus on innovation. [We will] ask ourselves in what ways can we leverage and adapt technology, ways of thinking and ways of working to meet our primary objectives around being a great employer and a great caretaker for patients.”

In addition to the expansion of its CTC business, Acadia Healthcare also plans to grow its outpatient segment. CEO Christopher Hunter has indicated that the company’s partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) and intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) will potentially be a significant contributor to the business over time.

Dr. Nasser Khan holds a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.), a Master of Medical Science (M.M.S.) and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Biology from Brown University. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. Khan maintains an active medical license and is board certified in internal medicine, as mentioned on his F6S profile.

In closing, Khan’s appointment is a significant development for Acadia Healthcare as it continues to expand and improve its services. With Khan’s leadership, the company is poised to continue delivering high quality care to its patients while also focusing on growth and innovation.