In a strategic move aimed at bolstering its financial leadership, Acadia Healthcare has appointed Heather Dixon as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective July 10, 2023. This transition, as announced on the company’s senior executive team page, comes as the company navigates growth opportunities and seeks to enhance its position as a leading provider of behavioral healthcare services across the United States.

Heather Dixon brings a wealth of experience to Acadia, having held significant leadership roles in prominent healthcare organizations. Before her appointment, she served as CFO at Everside Health, where she directed the financial operations of 385 health centers spread across 34 states. Her tenure at Everside was marked by a focus on innovation and growth within the direct primary and mental health care sectors, making her an ideal fit for Acadia’s ambitious objectives.

Prior to her role at Everside Health, Dixon held executive positions at Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. and Aetna, a CVS Health Company. In these roles, she amassed extensive experience in financial oversight, strategic direction, and operational management. Notably, she served as Senior Vice President, Global Controller, and Chief Accounting Officer at Walgreens, and as Vice President, Controller, and Chief Accounting Officer at Aetna. This diverse background, detailed on Crunchbase, has equipped Dixon with a robust understanding of the healthcare landscape, encompassing payer, provider, and pharmacy dynamics.

Dixon succeeds David Duckworth, who stepped down after a decade as Acadia’s CFO. Duckworth will remain involved in an advisory capacity, helping ensure a seamless transition of responsibilities. Chris Hunter, the CEO of Acadia, expressed confidence in Dixon’s capabilities, stating, “Heather is a highly respected senior executive with a proven track record of strong financial leadership.” He emphasized the importance of her experience as Acadia seeks to advance its long-term growth plan and meet increasing demands for its diversified services.

Under Dixon’s leadership, as reported by BH Business, Acadia is poised to implement its strategy to diversify services and revenue streams while continuing to provide high-quality care to an ever-growing patient base. As of March 2023, Acadia operated a vast network of 250 behavioral healthcare facilities, with approximately 11,100 beds, serving more than 75,000 patients daily. This substantial infrastructure positions the company to address pressing mental health needs across the nation.

Dixon expressed her enthusiasm for the new role, stating, “I look forward to working with Chris and the rest of the leadership team to ensure that we remain well-positioned to create value for all our stakeholders while fulfilling our commitment to helping more patients and families in need.” Her commitment to the mission of Acadia aligns with the organization’s goals, and her financial acumen will be critical as the company plans to add 670 beds in 2023 through new developments and facility expansions.

In addition to Dixon’s appointment, Acadia has made other significant leadership changes. For instance, Larry Harrod, Executive Vice President of Finance, announced his intention to retire, paving the way for Tim Sides to step up as Senior Vice President Operations Finance. Sides has been with Acadia since 2020, contributing to key operational and financial processes.

Acadia’s leadership transition comes at a pivotal time as the company aims to double its revenue by 2028, demonstrating its commitment to expanding its services and addressing the growing mental health crisis in the U.S. With Heather Dixon at the financial helm, Acadia is well-equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the ever-evolving healthcare sector.

Source: Acadia Healthcare Appoints Heather Dixon as Chief Financial Officer